Over the last 2 months I would have never imagined the historical tracks I had the privilege to race on and more so the moto enthusiast’s that made it all happen.

Unbelievable scenery in the Mountainous Lakes Region of the UK had me shearing sheep to earn my keep.  Now in southern France I was sold on a specially trained pig that sniff’s out the truffle roots, an expensive delicacy.  Truffle hogs took a back seat when I saw the 50 year circuit of Laguepie which is affectionately referred to as the “Joel Robert Circuit” out of regard and awe for one of the most talented legends to carve laps around this legendary course.  Laguepie was home to the 500 FIM GP in 1969 and won by Swedish talent Bengt Aberg on his way to the 500 World title for Husqvarna. 

Du Laguepie Moto Club had extended invitations to myself (’79 360 Mugen Honda), ’79 World Champ Graham Noyce ( ’80 CR 250), British Champ Pete Mathia (’81 490 Maico), French twin shock Champion Martial Brien (’81 490 Maico) and former French champ Bruno David (’80 460 Mugen Honda), Nicolas Ollive (’83 480 Honda) along with 60 other enthusiastic French riders thrilled to ride this hilly course on their vintage twin shock motocrossers.  Once again Moto Madam Marielle Tirot came through by handling entry arrangements and once again Marielle’s husband Stephane offered his very rare 360 Mugen for the showdown at Laguepie.  Moto Club Laguepie divided riders into two classes according to bike years: 1975-80 and 1981 to 83.   After the first two motos in each category, the top 15 from each would create a winner take all final 3^rd moto.  I had the good pleasure of beating each of these guys at one event or another over the last 2 months  so they were anxious to even the score!   This was a point of contention for Martial Brien as he did not agree with the club to have separate classes, leaving Brien to wait for the final for a piece of this Chinese American.  Moto dude Vincent interpreted his mood as Martial spoke little English and with Martial’s gracious nature I would have never known.  Martial rode his first 2 motos with little enthusiasm placing 2^nd to Pete Mathis with 3^rd going to the most modern 480 Honda of Nicolas Ollive.  Martial’s performance did not sit well with his lovely wife, who walked away from the race track during these events.  A very nice couple, although I think they had some sort of kinky relationship. 

Bruno David won both of my motos on his powerful 460.  I would start in the top 5 and by the time I got into 2^nd Bruno was gone…although I did stay within 5 seconds the 2^nd moto David definitely had the edge.  Graham could not keep pace on the steep course with the underpowered 250, but managed a 5^th.  Dust was a bit of an issue in the late day sun as the track dried out with temperature in the 80’s.

International motocross events in France are very special in that they are invitational only and require no entry fee from the racers.  At Laguepie Moto Club in addition to my class which they called Evolution, they ran a pre 1975 class called Classics which included Matchless, Metisse, BSA and CZ’s which I believe was won by Serge Bacou on a 750 Matchless Metisse.  Great sounding machines! Saturday night was a fantastic dinner reception under the big tent with plenty of red wine to go around.  It was during dinner that they gave honor to and introduced 1956 European Champion, British Motocross Legend, Les Archer.  1956 was a good year as that was the year I was born!  Now in his ‘70’s Mr. Archer spoke fluent French with his French wife at his side showing his great regard for motocross in his life. Take a look at Les Archers Championship winning Norton-http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/conference/news-detail.php?id=29

Two practice sessions were allowed which gave me time to find a new wheel as I exploded the front hub on one of the hard landing uphill jumps.  Bruno David had a spare 360 and was happy to lend a wheel to keep me in the race.  Practice finished, it was time for an extended lunch period that lasted until the first moto at 2pm!  The sun was now behind the hillside and a fresh load of water to keep the dust down, the stage was set for the final moto showdown.  

I got a good jump out of the gate heading up the grassy uphill start, but by the time I banged 5^th on the Mugen I was being swallowed up by the big bore bikes into the left hand turn.  The first lap was a mad scramble for position on the freshly watered track.  In the mayhem Bruno lost the front end on a rough off camber downhill which I narrowly avoided the carnage.  After a couple laps I was up to 4^th behind Pete Mathia.  I finally slipped under Pete before the downhill double jump of over 50 ft. Pete later explained he was concerned with his front wheel and had eased up on the jumps, ended up 4^th.  The battle with Mathia had pulled us up to the 480 Honda of Ollive, but it took a few laps to find a way  to over jump past the more powerful Honda.  Now it was just you and me Brien as I pulled up on the smooth riding Maico rider.  Just then I began to notice a wobble in the front wheel, but decided just to ease up on the hard landing uphill jump and keep looking for a way around Brien, when the 1 lap sign came out!  It’s gotta be now! As we came on lapped riders I nearly crashed casing it on an uphill avoiding a lapper.  I railed the outside of the next to last turn only to cross the line a wheel behind next to the French rider Martial Brien.  First or second, it really did not matter as it was an absolute blast to race!  Afterword I was congratulated by the club members for contributing to a very exciting race and Martial’s wife was finally happy with hubby’s win.  Sammy Slythe, Ron Carr, Vincent and I drove 8 hours Monday to drop me off at the Renne train station where I went on to Paris and spent the night surfing on an all night internet café looking for a train to Amsterdam.  Found it and a quick cab ride was able to catch a 6:30 am to Amsterdam in time for a 1:30 pm flight to arrive in Vegas Tuesday sometime.  Not fully recovered from a couple days of travel time, my knee won’t move and so on.  I think I need to go riding in Idaho!