PRESS RELEASE

MAGNY COURS 10th & 11th JULY

 THE 2OO4 IGCP GRAND PRIX: A GREAT VINTAGE THAT GETS BETTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

      The third round of the IGCP championship which took place on July 10th and 11th as part of the second running of the Bol d’Or Classic was a dazzling affair. The IGCP lived-up to the level of excellence set at the earlier Cadwell and Mallory Park meetings, which makes motorcycle racing a unique experience. Under the leadership of Eric Saul – Ex GP rider and founder of the series - the Magny line-up brought together motorcycles dating back to the 74 to 84 -Grand Prix racing years. Forty riders made-up the line-up, led by eight-time world-champion and IGCP’s greatest supporter Phil Read. The first hair-raising mishap took place on the first bend when Bruno Briquet and his Rotax crashed, bringing down Peter Thorne and Phil Torollo. Suspense and excitement thus far, for a start worthy of the 80’s Grand Prix. The red flags went up, calling for a second start.

So the bikes lined-up again and took-off with the roar of engines and clouds of blue smoke for a start as vibrant and deafening as the previous one. On the first lap Lea Gourlay took the lead, a length ahead of his opponents, which included British, German, French, Belgian and Austrian riders, an indication of the races’ international appeal. The IGCP number 1 rider took the lap record under the 2 minute mark, to 59.635 seconds. Gilles Hampe on his 250 Rotax was behind him but fell on his penultimate lap, as did Roger Abbot, both likely victims of the same oily patch at ‘VIBREURS’.

Rosine in front of the stands. Nothing more serious than damaged ankles, dislocated shoulders and cut eyebrows, and despite it all a victory for Gilles Hampe (F) who took the 250cc title ahead of Tony Smith (GB) and Michael Wild (D) . Lea Gourlay won with flying colours in the 350 category, followed by Jean Paul Lecointe (F) and Steve Boam(GB). A podium as international as the Grand Prix itself. For the lady riders, this IGCP meeting turned out to be a great disappointment, as one was prevented from participating by a triple fracture of the wrist, the other by engine trouble. But watch out for them at the next meeting: they will be all the more hungry for success.

As always the atmosphere in the IGCP tent was jovial, with the distribution of commemorative T-shirts, trophies for everyone and toasts all round. In the best tradition of the heyday of the Continental Circus, Belgium will host the fourth round of the series at the Chimay course.

Same course, same ambiance, as the IGCP caravan makes its way to that friendly country famous for its beer, that most appreciated of post-race beverages, for the fourth round of the series.

All about IGCP on :www.igcpracing.com

Ranking ICGP :

Category 350 cc                                                                       Category 250 cc
1^st : Lea Gourlay(GB)                                                                1^st : Gilles Hampe(F)
2^nd : Jean Paul Lecointe(F)                                                        2^nd : Tony Smith(GB)
3^rd : Steve Boam(GB)                                                                3^rd : Michael Wild(G)

Download the Press Release.

Zip Pack Images

All documents are in Adobe Reader and Microsoft Word Document.