6 replies to this topic

[Eric Dunsdon]

Please excuse my basic lack of knowledge when it comes to motor cycle racing despite having taken a casual interest since the Geoff Duke days. While watching the televised Moto GP on saturday I was surprised to hear Steve Parrish say that Motor Cycle Grand Prix racing began in 1949. This is clearly not so, as I know that there were Grand Prix races at Monza as early as 1922.
I wondered when and where the first motor cycle Grand Prix took place, and who won it?. I have been a motor racing fan since the the late 1940's and am used to current 'media speak' but Parrish's remark surprised me a little.

[MickJones]

Please excuse my basic lack of knowledge when it comes to motor cycle racing despite having taken a casual interest since the Geoff Duke days. While watching the televised Moto GP on saturday I was surprised to hear Steve Parrish say that Motor Cycle Grand Prix racing began in 1949. This is clearly not so, as I know that there were Grand Prix races at Monza as early as 1922.
I wondered when and where the first motor cycle Grand Prix took place, and who won it?. I have been a motor racing fan since the the late 1940's and am used to current 'media speak' but Parrish's remark surprised me a little.

Hi Eric, I think Steve was talking FIM world championship Grand Prix rather than the stand alone "big prize" of the pre WW2 years, hope that clears things up.

[Rennmax]

Please excuse my basic lack of knowledge when it comes to motor cycle racing despite having taken a casual interest since the Geoff Duke days. While watching the televised Moto GP on saturday I was surprised to hear Steve Parrish say that Motor Cycle Grand Prix racing began in 1949. This is clearly not so, as I know that there were Grand Prix races at Monza as early as 1922.
I wondered when and where the first motor cycle Grand Prix took place, and who won it?. I have been a motor racing fan since the the late 1940's and am used to current 'media speak' but Parrish's remark surprised me a little.

According to my records, there was a "Grand Prix de Europe" in Paris in 1904 (!!) won by Anzani on a Alcyon
That could be of interest

http://racingmemo.fr...201894-1906.htm

Edited by Rennmax, 28 June 2010 - 19:40.

[Rennmax]

Hi Eric, I think Steve was talking FIM world championship Grand Prix rather than the stand alone "big prize" of the pre WW2 years, hope that clears things up.

Hi, a European championship already existed in '38 and '39 , compiling grand prixs at Clady (Ulster), Monza, Sachsenring, Assen etc to that series

Edited by Rennmax, 28 June 2010 - 19:51.

[Eric Dunsdon]

Thanks for that chaps..I figured it would all be down to whenever meaningless Championships began.. The statiticians of today also tell me that there was no Grand Prix motor racing until 1950!.

[paulhooft]

Thanks for that chaps..I figured it would all be down to whenever meaningless Championships began.. The statiticians of today also tell me that there was no Grand Prix motor racing until 1950!.

I am sure this is not correct, there at least was a French motorcycle Grand Prix since 1913, and a Grand Prix of Nations at Monza since 1922.
And the very famous TT of Man was not called a Grand Prix, but was a very, very important race, held since 1907!
and don't forget races like the Assen TT held since 1925, Francorchamps, Sachsenring and so on.
The were all big International events, even if there was not a Championship connected to them.
Paul

Edited by paulhooft, 29 June 2010 - 10:57.

[Eric Dunsdon]

I am sure this is not correct, there at least was a French motorcycle Grand Prix since 1913, and a Grand Prix of Nations at Monza since 1922.
And the very famous TT of Man was not called a Grand Prix, but was a very, very important race, held since 1907!
and don't forget races like the Assen TT held since 1925, Francorchamps, Sachsenring and so on.
The were all big International events, even if there was not a Championship connected to them.
Paul

Paul, I was referring to Grand Prix motor racing for cars, and my tongue was firmly in my cheek. The first race to carry the title of 'Grand Prix' was the French Grand Prix of 1906 although there had many important races before then. My comment was aimed as a 'pop' at the current breed of 'experts' who dish out statistics and 'facts' that only serve to misinform newcomers to motor sports. My original query was about Grand Prix motor cycle racing.