Company messages

Die Brüder Giancarlo und Vasco Gori gründen die gleichnahmige Firma.in Florenz (Firenze), Italien. Sie starten als Tuner und Veredler von Lambretta-Rollern und kleinen Motorrädern.
Henry Keppel-Hesselink and Mario Agrati found Fantic in Barzago (province of Lecco). Agrati came from the entrepreneurial family that already controlled the Agrati-Garelli Group. The goal is to produce recreational vehicles for the US market (minibikes).
The production of complete Lindström motorcycles was gradually phased out. Göte Lindström then focused more on tuning and manufacturing special parts for motorsports.
Ivano Beggio takes over the Aprilia bicycle factory from his father. He hated bicycles and immediately built the first 50cc moped ("Colibrì").
Francesco Villa, a brilliant engineer and racer who had previously worked for Ducati and FB Mondial, founded his own company in Prada di Castelvetro (near Modena). As chief developer for the Spanish brand Montesa, he developed highly efficient two-stroke racing engines (the famous 125 and 250 engines).

Motocross

Models in this year
fim_wc.png250ccm Cross WM
Suzuki signs two-time Swedish champion Olle Pettersson and becomes the first Japanese manufacturer to enter the Motocross World Championship. He was about to sign with Husqvarna, but chose Suzuki because he was attracted by the role of test and research rider. Like its predecessor, the RH 66, the RH 67 was hopelessly inferior to the European machines. Pettersson actually managed to turn the RH 67 into a usable motocross bike in a very short time. He even finished second in both the Belgian and Dutch Grand Prix. However, a broken leg put him out of action from the middle of the year.
fim_wc.png250ccm Cross Trophée des Nations
Payerne, Schweiz, 31. August / 01. September

  1. Schweden
  2. Belgien
  3. Niederlande
  4. Finnland
  5. Dänemark
  6. Schweiz
  7. Italien
  8. Frankreich
  9. Großbritannien
World champions of the year
National champions