The Rocky Mountain Selection, under the umbrella of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group, conducted their third classic MotoGiro in Nakusp during the weekend of September 12. The event is modeled after the original Giro Motociclistico d’Italia that enjoyed international success until a horrendous crash in 1957 put an end to the 3000 kilometre endurance race. The motorcycle world took an obligatory step back when all road races were banned in the aftermath of the crash, until it was revived in 1999. The revival saw the road race take on a more relaxed structure while maintaining the sprit of competition and passion that inspired the original. The Rocky Mountain MotoGiro is an opportunity for vintage motorcycle enthusiasts to share their appreciation for passionate Italian design and is one of many similar races being conducted internationally.
In the spirit of the original event, The Rocky Mountain MotoGiro involves a day of road riding on a public road loop from Nakusp to Nelson, followed by a second day of closed-course timed races up the Nakusp Hot Springs road.
Riders and bikes are separated into class and category, then raced in groups of four over the course of seven heats. The races are timed, and results are sorted out at the end of the day according to every rider’s handicap. This allows the organizers to race a range of combinations drawing from the pool of slower and faster bikes and riders.
Over 30 vintage motorcycle enthusiasts participated in the event, which organizer Dave Marshall hopes to establish as a mainstay for the September weekend.
