Off road... it’s a whole new Spa treatment
You may be far more familiar with it as a track venue and host of some fantastic tarmac action over the years, but the Belgian venue of Spa is about to get back into the world of off-road. After more than a decade of purely asphalt action, classic meet organiser Bikers’ Classics is venturing onto the dirty stuff, with a vintage trial category set to debut in this month’s gathering of classic machines and racers. It’s not the first time Spa has hosted off-road action, in 2005 and 2006 the world championship trial was held at SpaFrancorchamps. The June 29-July 1 event is the perfect opportunity to see the beautiful Ardennes region at its best, and it’s an environment perfectly suited to this motorcycle discipline. Everything is there to provide a challenge to the riders, from impressive natural obstacles, swirling streams to rocky hillsides – it’s all there in this rugged, rolling, forested terrain. And classic trials fits perfectly with the ethos of Bikers’ Classics as the atmosphere of vintage trial meetings is just as convivial as that of the usual Bikers’ Classics events, and because many manufacturers from ‘back in the day’ were active both in speed and in off-road, and especially in trial – think Triumph, Norton, BSA, but also Honda, Yamaha etc.
The Lifestyle Village
One of the highlights of Bikers’ Classics is a feature brought in only three years ago... the Lifestyle Village. In addition to the official manufacturers such as Yamaha, Triumph, Indian or Royal Enfield to name but a few, the active Belgian custom scene will once again be represented by the major players, as well as by newcomers keen to show their most beautiful machines. For the second time, the Sultans of Sprint, the Continental Circus of the third millennium, will be one of the Lifestyle Village’s major attractions, and will feature incredible machines. The wizard of Basse-bodeux, former Belgian champion, Fred Krugger, will not be left behind as he will present his Triumph Bobber especially created for the 2018 Sultans of Sprint season. While as already mentioned, the Trial Classic gets underway this year, an event which will be spread over two days. The competition means that the organisers can show off some magnificent trial machines in the Lifestyle Village, with some real surprises and superb machines that have been out of circulation for decades. And do not forget the unique atmosphere provided by the many craftsmen who will work on the spot to paint helmets, to work leather or to present their collection. Visitors will have plenty of time to have their hair done by the most crazy hairdresser in town... or even to get the Sultans of Sprint logo tattooed on their back. Easily within reach of the UK by ferry and even train, the Bikers’ Classics event is over the long weekend of Friday, June 29 to July 1.