Classic Motocross Des Nations - Finland Sept 2008

[Mark Austin]

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.

[Mark Austin]

Oops,
Forgot the link...
http://www.hemk.net/cmdn/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=9&Itemid=11

[mx250]

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.

[suzuki27]

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.

[Wombat]

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??

[suzuki43]

Sounds like something you do in the privacy of your own home with Narelle, Grossi.

[YSS]

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.

[Wombat]

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...

[Mark Austin]

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.

[holeshot buddy]

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)
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 




it ran last time i started it

[Wombat]

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?

[Juha Monto]

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

[Wombat]

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.

[Juha Monto]

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

[Wombat]

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.