Calendar

5-6 June - ASI MOTOSHOW 2004

From now on also Italy, land of historic bikes and riders, has an international event that as far as quality and number of participants are concerned has nothing to envy other countries.
The only hurting aspect is the public which didn't show up in mass, as often happens in Italy (and we can't understand why.....).
At the "G. Paletti" track of Varano de Melegari (Parma), there were ca. 300 people (foreign too) riding more than 500 bikes, ranked in 6 categories, from the beginning of the motorcycle era until the maximum limit 1983.
Due to some problems, Piero and Giovanni Laverda arrived only at the circuit on Saturday afternoon (as guests of the organisers), but with two bikes whorty of the event: 1000 V6 and 1000 Endurance '72, for the first time on track after 32 years from its debut.
Just the time to arrange all the staff in a pit box, that quickly started the sessions to take some confidence with the narrow but enjoyable track.
At Varano there was also Fabrizio Di Bella, who for the occasion took a 1974 750 SFC on the track and a very interesting special Motoplast 1000cc (bike that took part to several Bol d' Or races between '70s and '80s), of which Fabrizio has recently finished restoration (only 4 known exemplars still "alive").
On Saturday evening there was a dinner offered by ASI (Italian Historical Cars and Bikes Club), with several awards given to the Italian racing riders from the past (U.Masetti, C.Ubbiali, V.Zito, G.Perrone, S.Miller and others). Sunday morning "the dance" re-started, with turns of 20 minutes for each class until late in the afternoon.
Very much appreciated the visit to Laverda pit box of Carlo Ubbiali (9 times World Champion) and ASI president Avv. Loi, both fascinated by the "voice" of the V6. Sandro Todeschini and Massimo Bernasconi (the son of a Laverda dealer and owner of a rare 8000 batch SFC) were present also with two splendid SFCs. The weather was warm and the sun was shining all weekend.
The Sunday saw Giovanni make an innocent slide with the triple in a slow corner, that created more fright than serious damage. The future of this event (this was it's third edition) seems bright, and everyone left the track happy with a successful event to look back on.

This time few pictures, but enjoy the video!