OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Competition => Topic started by: Mark Austin on December 20, 2007, 12:13:09 am
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Hi lads,
Here is an invitation for any VMX die hards to contest the Classic MX des Nations in Finland next September'
Looks like something to work towards!
Any takers? The list starts here...
Cheers,
Mark.
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Oops,
Forgot the link...
http://www.hemk.net/cmdn/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=9&Itemid=11 (http://www.hemk.net/cmdn/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=9&Itemid=11)
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Great track. Be worth going just to ride the track ;) :).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oon13o8dR3k
Interesting video, wide range of bikes, sounds and styles.
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It sounds great.I helped organise an Australian exchange student go to Finland.Our Australian representatives will need a quick cultural lesson in "Sauna Etiquette"-Knowing the do's and dont's in the sauna is apparantly very important.For example,self flagellation is accepted with birch branches and leaves,and is allowed to be perfomed on other flagellants with their permission-obviously a rudimentary understanding of the language is helpful here.After a sound whipping and sweat session they mostly jump into an icy lake.They like their bikes,hunting and fishing and are partial to a drink or three and with a high standard of living and liberal minded women, I feel it has the potential to be a regular yearly event much like Classic Dirt.
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Now wouldn't a trip to Finland to race VMX be the ducks guts?
Hmmm, nine months to sort out the logistics...
Has anyone here sent their bike out of the Country before?
Any ballpark figures on a likely cost?
I'd save money by skipping the sauna...
Anyone??
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Sounds like something you do in the privacy of your own home with Narelle, Grossi.
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Yes , I have shipped many sidecars around the world for racing , seafreight, airfreight and even hand luggage at one time .
In todays time , I would recommend Seafreight . It only takes 5 weeks to Finnland.
You need a Carnet ATA from the chaimber of commerce , a fumigated crate (certified) that can be used to and back. One or 4 bikes should be around the same cost . because portcharges and paperwork is the dearest part of the deal. We always used Danzas DHL. I think $2000.00 should get four bikes in a crate there and back.
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YSS, thanks for that.
I'm thinking that's do-able at $500 bucks each - if there are others who are interested?
I have a mate who's Finnish (AND he works for QANTAS); I'll have to visit him with beers and sus out the other costs... 8)
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I'm in if we can keep the freight costs down.
Sounds like it could be cheaper freight for bikes than to Tasmania!
Cheers,
Mark.
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i cant believe it i mentioned this on the forum on oct 19 no one even replied to it >:(
my mate jeff was over there at this years des nations he just got back even has an entry form
they are keen to get other countries involved the classes are 1973 and back (oil drippers) :P
the older the rider the older the bike class seen the program was a team from pommie land
as well , did not see one jap bike in whole program ???
also the riders are very fast and the tracks are rough 8)
it ran last time i started it ;D
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So you did holeshot; you're ahead of your time... ;)
I'm guessing your mate Jeff is the bloke who wrote the 'Hello from Finland' piece in the VMX #32 'Write Stuff' page?
I'll do some homework on this as I'm certainly interested; a few weeks in Europe to include a motocross in Finland would be a great experience.
My bike (currently on a boat somewhere...) is a '78 model so I'll need to check what I can enter.
Other than Mark Austin and me, is anyone else interested?
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Hello,
nice to notice that you are interested in the Classic Motocross des Nations 2008 in Finland. I believe it will be a great race. The track is a excellent wide sandtrack with plenty of height differencies. Please notice there will be a MX3 GP on 16.-17.8.2008 on the same track.
It would be great if NZ and Australia could get teams for this event. There are three classes:
- min. 40 years riders with pre -72 bikes (one must be 250cc, three free of choice)
- min. 50 years riders with pre -70 bikes (one must be 4-stroke and one 250cc, two free)
- min. 60 years riders with pre -65 bikes (two must be 4-stroke, two free)
Riders age is defined by the year of birth. There are exceptions in defining bikes so please check the regulations from event web site http://www.hemk.net/cmdn/ For example, CZ's with 5 barrel bolt are allowed in 50+ class and all Husqvarnas with bolt-on frame are allowed in 60+ class.
On Satuday evening there will be a big prizegiving party with food & live music.
On Sunday there will be "local races", meaning the finnish Classic Motocross Cup. There will be classes for all pre -87 bikes and all foreign riders are welcome. Please notice that max. 40 riders can be accepted per class.
To be able to send teams to CMdN, a country must be a member of ECMO (European Classic Motocross Organisation). This memberhips costs 150 euros.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have anything to ask. Or in our web page you can register to discussion forum and place your comments and questions there.
Best regards,
Juha Monto
e-mail: juha_monto(at)hotmail.com
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Juha Monto, thanks for the update.
I'm currently checking out prices to fly in/out of Finland for the event.
YSS has advised a Company to ship the bikes and an approximate cost.
At least one other forum member has noted an interest.
My bike is a '78 model so I'm thinking the Sunday 'local races' will be my event.
That being the case I assume I don't need to be a member of a team - or ECMO?
Finland is a long way to go for a Sunday ride but I'm sure it would be a great experience.
I'm afraid my knowledge of Finland is limited to your fondness for beer and your dislike for Russians; how am I going so far? ;)
Cost will be the deciding factor for me but I'm keen to have a go.
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Hi Wombat,
for Sunday races you need only to have a racing licence (similar to your local races with an insurance valid in Finland). This same requirement is also for CMdN race on Saturday.
On Sunday, with a '78 bike you can race in our class C (yearmodels 1975-1979) and also D (twinshock). There will be one practice session + two heats (each 10 minutes + 2 laps) per class. So, if you want, you can send entries for both C and D classes to get a good day of riding. Participation fees are not decided yet but last year one class cost 30 euros and every extra class was 10 euros, so two classes would cost total of 40 euros. I don't think the fee will change much.
Your knowledge of Finland is on the right tracks. Traditionally Finland is considered to belong more to "vodka-region" than "beer-region" but I think that has changed in recent years. But I hope you can come and eye-witness the situation yourself on Saturday-nights party...
Please check the links to different travel sites from the CMdN web site. There you can find a lot info and goods tips on where to go and what to see in Finland. At least I think you should take some extra days of holiday while you come this far!
Br, Juha
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Juha, thanks again; I'll be checking out those web sites.
There's quite a bit of detail to sort out as you can imagine.
Rental car for the journey, getting the bikes from the Port to the track etc.
I have a Finnish friend here in Australia and I'll be 'picking his brains' as we say.
And yes, if I'm coming to Finland I'll stay for longer than just the Sunday...I'm told it's a beautiful place and the weather is still OK at that time of year.
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Wombat,
please write to my e-mail juha_monto(at)hotmail.com so we can figure out details together.
Jeff, who is mentioned in here earlier, is now back in Australia from Finland. He could also have good tips for you.
Br, Juha
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anyone who wants to contact jeff about this you can ring me and i will give you his number 8)
it ran last time i started it ;D
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Hi from South Africa
Do you think that if we send a South African team, South Africa can win the classic Des Nations ? Afterall we won the Rugby World Cup , and anybody should agree our motocross is better than our lineouts and scrums. Will New Zealnd be there ? We would love to compete in a Tri Nations of Motocross.
Dying to get a response.
Crabman
:) :) :) :)
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Ah Crabman, who doesn't love a bit of "We're better than you" banter!?
The Tri Nations MX would be a great concept with gold plated bragging rights!
Dying to get a response? Mate, here's my response as a proud Queenslander and former rugby player:
Australia has two Rugby World Cups; and congratulations must go to South Africa for recently catching up with their second cup.
A good win and well done; for many years S.A. and NZ combined had a World Cup tally equal to Australias...
But let me put the whole rugby thing into perspective for you...
Are you aware Rugby Union is the fourth most popular football code here in OZ?
It trails fourth behind Australian football, Rugby League and Soccer; pretty much in that order.
The game is mostly played in two Eastern States; Queensland and New South Wales.
It has a very minor following in the remaining States.
A survey of these 'other States' Players would show a large contingent of expatriate Queenslanders, 'Welshmen and blow ins from other rugby playing Nations such as your own.
I played in the Western Austalian competition for a time and I doubt there were more than four Australians in any run on team of fifteen players.
The Aussie accent was a rare thing at the games.
In both S.A. and NZ the game of Rugby Union is the National sport; in much the same way as Soccer/Football is to the Brazillians.
Every male child bar none plays the game throughout their School years and a very large percentage continue from there.
I don't think we have a truly National sport in Australia - maybe Cricket and hanging shit on Kiwis...?
It is your sport - everything else comes second to rugby.
In Australia the game of rugby is played in the Private School system; rarely is it played in the public Schools.
The Kiwis will point to their smaller population as one reason for poor World Cup results; indeed OZ and S.A. have large populations compared to NZ.
But again I'll remind S.A. and NZ indoctrinates every male child into the sport; OZ has a sprinkling of players by comparison when we compare per head of male population.
But Australia has two Rugby World Cups; and we won them both playing away from home.
This is twice as many World Cups as the Kiwis; who won their one and only World Cup in their own backyard some twenty years ago when the participating Nations were half the number it is now.
S.A. has finally caught up to the Aussie tally - and NZ will wait another four years to try again...
We taunt the Kiwis mercilessly over this because they agonise over their rugby; as do you 'Yarpies'.
But herein also lies another difference between the Aussies and the Kiwis/Yarpies.
You blokes EXPECT to win the World Cup!
"We will win!" is the response I get from my foreign co-workers - and when you don't it's the most gutting experience.
The Aussies HOPE to win; we think we can and we think we might but we don't proclaim it's ours before the competition kicks off!
Do you see the difference?
That's why our World Cups are special.
But I could bang on for hours about this and we probably will if we get to meet.
The non rugby players on this forum will have changed threads the moment 'rugby' was mentioned, such is the lack of feeling for the game in this Country.
And we're here to chat about VMX.
I'm considering attending the event in Finland but it will come down to costs.
Having bought a second bike and all the riding gear needed for re-starting the sport of MX has drained the account; we'll see.
Our Finn mate Juha Monto probably hasn't a clue what we're on about.
Hey Juha, it's like when the Finns play the Russians at any sport, OK?
Great question Crabman and my response is meant in good spirit.
Despite our differences I've found our Tri Nation similarities to be far greater and I have the utmost respect for the Kiwi and Yarpies I've known.
Now how about some more photos of MX in S.A?
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WOMBAT
Hi mate -it was all done in jest. My interest is not rugby but any form of motorcycle racing. Hell I would love to race the Aussies and Kiwi's. Regardless of outcome it is bound to be thoroughly enjoyable and one hell of a party afterwards. And the great thing in Finland we would at least be able to communicate in English.
Sorry must go, another great day for riding in Africa :) :)
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Wombat, dont get me started ;D the all blacks are just a bunch of gut dropping over payed useless picks. The only one that showed a bit of passion was Doug H after the world cup by kicking in some car.
Its a funny thing about rugby over here these days. The young kids all play soccer, there is more playing soccer than rugby now.
NZ didnt take on the professional game very will, and it was about that time that I stopped following the game.
But a Tri-nation VMX meeting would be a blast.
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I reckon a Tri Nation VMX could quickly rise to 'sheep station' status with much slicing, dicing and banging of bars!
For the footy I think the surveys show soccer is the most popular footy code in OZ for participation stats.
A lot of parents fear the littlies can get hurt playing the other codes, particulary the two rugby versions.
To be honest the safety thing is why I haven't encouraged my boy into bikes.
I sat him on a few bikes recently on the pretext of his size in relation to the bikes and how mini bikes were smaller when I was a kid blah, blah.
After the third one he said he didn't actually want one...
We live on acreage so we have the space, but unless he asks for a bike I won't be pushing it.
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South African VMX riders would love to engage the Aussies and Kiwi's on the track. We also acknowledge our inability to take either the Aussies or Kiwi'S on in terms of the bar race. Notwithstanding there is merit.
Imagine the prestige of winning the first VMX Tri Nations.
Gotta go and practice-off the RMZ 450 have to learn to ride either a Suzuki 370 or 1974 Honda very fast .
Chow for now
Crabman :)
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Hello my name is Jeff weiss. I have been trying to get imformation from MA on what the procedure to do this is but no answer,look's like their only interested in our fees ! I have had no luck getting any one to go yet, but wiil keep trying when the bike meetings start. It seem's the bike years are a big problem! Jeff
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Good on ya Jeff, I'd love to go but funds will be the decider.
Where are you now - in Oz or Finland?
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Is there anyone who is interested in going to Finland in September ,must know ? there is heaps to organize !! My email is [email protected]
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Jeff, I sent you an e-mail earlier today; did you get that one?
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Jeff weiss? your not steve's brother are you??
Sorry to hijack the Rugby thread.
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Jeff,
I sent this by e-mail early yesterday but today I find it hasn't gone through - 'delayed delivery status' apparently.
Sorry it’s taken a while to respond to your PM.
As keen as I am to visit Finland, unfortunately it’s all beginning to look like it won’t happen for me.
You mention the bikes will need to leave the Country very soon and be away for six months.
At present I have only one bike - and it has been 29 years since I last rode MX.
I intend to compete in as many VMX races as possible and this includes the Nationals in Tassie in early June.
I need the practice as they say - and my second bike is still in transit from Canada.
So, as things stand I don’t think I can attend given the tight schedule.
Regards,
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It seem's the Trophy Des Nations trip is dead in the water!!! No takers !!!! Shame. Does anyone know of others intending to arrange there own team? It is ashame because Juha has bent over backwards to help it happen ! Jeff weiss
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Hi all!
I understand it's a long and expensive travel from Australia to Finland. But maybe there would be interest to make team(s) if we try to find bikes to rent from here? Not easy but worth a try... Please contact Jeff and we'll figure things out with him.
In the meantime, please see a video from the 2007 CMdN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1wP0WfXQl0
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Surprising news from Finland!
Please see www.hemk.net/cmdn and the link "Santa Claus" from there.
Who would have thought this will happen...
;) Juha
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Juha,
Looks like Santa's new year resolution was to lose some weight, he looks like he is down to about 80 kgs on that Husky ;) ;)