Posts
3189
Joined
1/22/2007
Location
Santa Clarita, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
8/23/2020 12:46pm
Flanders
“I started racing in the 1960s, and even back then there was an argument about where the sport of motocross originated. The British claim they started it. The French say the British are crazy and that they started it. It should be noted that motorcycles were raced on dirt since the day they were invented [largely because there weren’t that many paved roads], but the invention of motocross came much later than the 1920s and 1930s as the British and French claim. I’m Belgian, and I was always told that motocross began in the town of Leuven, Belgium, after the Second World War. The original motocross track was in an area known as Sweet Waters"
“I started racing in the 1960s, and even back then there was an argument about where the sport of motocross originated. The British claim they started it. The French say the British are crazy and that they started it. It should be noted that motorcycles were raced on dirt since the day they were invented [largely because there weren’t that many paved roads], but the invention of motocross came much later than the 1920s and 1930s as the British and French claim. I’m Belgian, and I was always told that motocross began in the town of Leuven, Belgium, after the Second World War. The original motocross track was in an area known as Sweet Waters"
Everts shared a image of the general Belgium EU area with all permanent training tracks on it, image will speak for itself.
Is this image of training tracks in the past or present? Either way, Holy Crap!
The Shop
area with no dots is Belgium.
25 years ago the density of tracks in belgium was comparable to the netherlands.
Canada Heights in Sidcup , Kent ,UK got its name from the Canadian air force staying there during the 2nd world war and racing dirt bikes there.
So I reckon the Canadians invented it?
I think Motocross has been around since before the 2nd world war but was probably called scrambling
Who knows ?
Maybe land searches before property purchase should be more clear and used when tree huggers complain . In the UK we have had people move next to churches and complain about the Bells on Sunday!!
Back in Louisiana if we had 15 tracks in total over my lifetime of 51 yrs that would be a stretch. Hell 5 in operation at any one given time would be a stretch. Driving 50-60 miles to get to one track alone is the norm out there.
It's really bad...
I don’t know when the satelliet maps where updated but the Neeroeteren track layout is still easy to find.
Yamaha land is spotted the location and the house there.
Been a shame both tracks are gone, both where amazing.
Old Yamaha land got something like a White House/castle next to the track if I’m remembering right? Same track also got a big table into the woods? It’s been along time but nobody jumped it that weekend when we where there. Must be around 99/2000. Mayby some Belgiums Vital members knows it.
It's a something of a whinery now.
I've got my first track experience in Motoland, on a PW 80.
Unfortunately,I never got to ride the main track, by the time i was old enough it was allready closed.
They also never closed down because of rain/mud.
I do remember that big table. I don't think i've seen many riders jumping it...
Pit Row
The other federations have lost some great tracks the past 15-20 years...
With the lack of practice tracks, I'm actually surprised we have still a lot of riders in Belgium.
Crazy to think it went so south for a country like Belgium. The golden era of Everts/Smets and all the other stars and all track where closing down and disappear. Really sad for every MX rider and fans.
Hopefully Geerts and Liam Everts can turn some things around with wins and titles in the future and open some doors....
Post a reply to: Belgium, and the decline of Motocross