Building on the success of last year’s debut event, the 2023 FIM Trial Vintage Trophy takes place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 September at Auron in France and promises riders and fans a two-day celebration of Trial in stunning surroundings.

Sharing the weekend with the FIM Trial Des Nations, up for grabs will be the FIM Trial Vintage Trophy for best overall performance on a vintage motorcycle and the FIM Trial Vintage Motorcycle Trophy for best performance on an authentic vintage motorcycle, but – as 1981 FIM Trial World Champion and event Ambassador Gilles Burgat explained – the event is about so much more than competition.

“Last year was great,” said Burgat. “The atmosphere was fantastic and I expect it to be the same spirit this year too. Okay, everyone wants to do their best, but most important is that we want to enjoy the race and enjoy the weekend with friends.

“This year will be even better than last year because it is over two days which is usual for vintage trial. Auron is a fantastic location – it is in the mountains, but also not far from the sea – and the terrain is perfect for vintage Trial.”

While the venue is an Alpine ski resort, Auron is less than one-hundred kilometres from Nice and the French Riviera which makes it an ideal destination for families and fans looking to divide their time between the mountains and the Mediterranean.

The event – organised by Moto Club de La Gaude in conjunction with the FIM – is open to all twin-shock motorcycles and sections on the blue Trophy route will be period-appropriate and in keeping with the severity of hazards at the Ventoux Trial Classic, although once again there will be a less-demanding green support class route. Results will be moderated according to a rider’s age, not the age of the machine.

There will be competition on both Friday and Saturday with two laps of twelve sections – designed by a vintage Trial specialist – each day.

There will also be a display of vintage Trial machines and a cocktail dinner on the Saturday night.

France’s Philippe Berlatier – who helped steer his country to four Trial Des Nations titles in the 1980s and a fifth in 1990 – won the FIM Trial Vintage Trophy at last year’s inaugural event at Monza in Italy while his pristine 1981 Bultaco Sherpa 340 earned him the FIM Trial Vintage Motorcycle Trophy.

He will be returning this year to defend his titles forty years after his first-ever FIM Trial World Championship podium finish, but a shoulder injury will prevent Burgat from competing – although France’s first-ever FIM Trial World Champion is eagerly anticipating spending precious time with old friends and like-minded enthusiasts.

“In vintage Trial maybe the most important day is the day before the race because we have all been friends for a long time and we like to meet up, look at the motorcycles and enjoy the atmosphere. This is as important as trying to be the best.

“It is very simple if you want to ride. It is easy to sign up, the club negotiates a great deal for accommodation and there will be a party on the Saturday night so we will have a lot of fun.”

The closing date for entries has been extended until forty-eight hours before the event starts, so you can still enter by registering HERE.
You can reserve your place at the cocktail dinner until 31 August by clicking HERE.

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