Author Topic: ktm weren't always right  (Read 5508 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline supermotomc

  • C-Grade
  • **
  • Posts: 83
  • SWM ktm, dealer mechanic 1977-1995
    • View Profile
ktm weren't always right
« on: September 25, 2018, 10:04:26 am »
And finally, a bonus Strange Race: The 1974 FIM 250cc World Championship finals, the Grand Prix of Switzerland at Wohlen. Czech rider Jaroslav Falta was battling with the Soviet Union's Gennady Moiseev, who had injured his knee. Falta had a clear shot at the title on his CZ, but then Moiseev's fellow countrymen, on both KTMs like him and CZs like Falta, began ramming and blocking Falta, trying to keep him from winning. Supposedly even the mechanics were hitting Falta with their chalk boards! With help from guys like Jim Pomeroy and Harry Everts, Falta persevered and took the title... Or so he thought. After the race an official claimed that Falta jumped the starting gate in the second moto, so he was disqualified. The title was given to Moiseev -- his first of three 250cc world titles -- while Falta became a genuine motocross folk hero. Over the years there have been attempts at overturning the result, but to no avail. That's maybe as strange as it gets!

Offline 80-85 husky

  • Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 3847
    • View Profile
Re: ktm weren't always right
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2018, 01:04:37 pm »
once a popular "descision " has been made (before the race by the sound of it) Falta was on a 1 way trip to knoweresville...at world level you would think there would be strong oversight...but like F1 ..shit still happens

Offline tony27

  • Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 1908
    • View Profile
Re: ktm weren't always right
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2018, 06:21:51 pm »
Pretty sure the mechanics were trying to shove sticks through the spokes. The disquailification was pure politics, the russians were much more powerful than the Czechs

Offline Brian Watson

  • Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 749
  • First Penton in OZ
    • View Profile
Re: ktm weren't always right
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2018, 12:18:40 pm »
Pretty sure KTM were an innocent party to all the goings on....so "ktm weren't always right"..bit harsh..