Enthusiasts flocked to the Motor Revival Zolder, second event in the 2025 FIM Historic Events Calendar – to sample the unique atmosphere, watch historic motorcycles in action and rub shoulders with famous names from motorcycling’s illustrious past.
A brand-new event for 2025, Motor Revival Zolder offered something for everyone with demonstration rides, autograph sessions, competitions, parades, a rooftop party, auction and a moped day that gave visitors the opportunity to ride around the iconic Belgian circuit.
The organisers created the perfect mix of classic and modern races: Yamaha Racing Blu Cru R3/R7 - Belgian Twin Trophy - Camathias Cup Sidecar - Benelux Superbike / Supersport Trophy - 500 Classics and 500 parades plus the FIM Historic Event. This type of programmes addresses the generational transition of the classic scene, as collectors from the 90’s are being replaced.
More than thirty collectors and fifty machines travelled to Zolder from England, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France.
Of all the memorable moments that took place at the recent Motor Revival Zolder, perhaps the most magical was when legendary American racer Randy Mamola was reunited with the 500cc Factory Suzuki, owned by a member of the Amicale Spirit of Speed, that carried him to victory in the 1980 Belgian Grand Prix at the celebrated circuit.
It was the only FIM Motorcycle Grand Prix ever staged at Zolder, ensuring Mamola – a four-time FIM World Vice-Champion in the discipline – piloted his #9 machine into a unique place in the history books. It was also the first of thirteen career 500GP wins for the Californian as he contested his debut full season in the class.
As well as turning a number of laps on his return to Zolder, sixty-five-year-old Mamola – working closely with photographer Patrick Smets – also recreated an iconic wheelie shot with the same photographer from forty-five years ago, an exercise that was perhaps easier to conceive than to carry out.
“Obviously, I wanted to go there and try to recreate the same picture, not knowing if this would be possible because it’s not just the machine that’s old, I am too,”said Mamola. “The first session we had a small problem with the clutch, but we were ready for the second session. I knew I had to get the chicane right to carry enough speed to wheelie and, because it’s all about rhythm, it probably took four laps until I finally had enough courage and feeling coming from the bike.
“It was super-fun after that moment and seeing the photographs and knowing the world will see those photographs made it something very, very special for me.”
Photographer Patrick Smets has recreated an iconic photo of Randy Mamola's wheelie taken forty-five years ago at the 1980 Belgian Grand Prix © Patrick Smets
Following the successful Sunday Ride Classic at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France in mid-May, Motor Revival Zolder was the second of three events on this year’s FIM Historic Events Calendar that was created four years ago to present machines whose authenticity has been certified by a procedure that gives them an irrefutable identity.
This procedure is carried out through the FIM Certification for Competition Motorcycles initiative – that is available to all motorcycle collectors and owners worldwide as part of the FIM Heritage Programme that aims to authenticate and catalogue classic machines by compiling a comprehensive database of bikes, races and riders.
The 2025 FIM Historic Events Calendar concludes with the Le Mans Classic that runs from 3-6 July at the world-famous French circuit.
Discover the FIM Heritage and Certification Programme HERE