The FIM is pleased to announce the launch of its Certification for Competition Motorcycles at the sixteenth edition of the Sunday Ride Classic (SRC) over the weekend of 17-18 May, an annual event at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France that was first staged in 2009.
Honda’s fabled RC174 that legendary racer Mike Hailwood piloted to an FIM World Championship title in 1967 - FIM Certified Replica © SRC
Created in recognition of the importance of authenticating racing machines as part of its Heritage Programme, the FIM Certification service is offered to all motorcycle collectors and owners worldwide and aims to promote, protect and inform about the history of motorcycling through a comprehensive database of bikes, races and riders.
All categories of speed motorcycles that have competed in National, International and World Championship events are eligible for certification including, but not limited to, MotoGP, Superbike and Supersport, Endurance, Formula, Sidecar and Land Speed World Records.
The event and certification process will be managed in collaboration with Spirit of Speed – Europe’s biggest club for collectors and owners of road racing machines – and offers enthusiasts the opportunity to discover more about the FIM Heritage Programme. Anyone choosing to apply for certification over the course of the weekend can take advantage of a special rate reserved for FIM Historic Events.
Among many other attractions, visitors to the SRC will be able to see two exact replicas of Honda’s fabled RC174 that legendary racer Mike Hailwood piloted to an FIM World Championship title in 1967. On display at Box 14, both machines will take to the track with French former Grand Prix racer Guy Bertin riding one of them.
Sunday Ride Classic organiser Jean-Pierre Bonato stated: “Celebrating our sporting history is essential to light the way to MotoGP. The FIM Heritage Programme, with the launch of FIM Certification and the creation of the FIM Historic Events series, is an important element in this process.
“There are many stakeholders involved in preserving and showcasing our sporting heritage, but FIM Certification guarantees spectators and organisers alike the quality of the grids and machines presented. Because the ‘classic’ stars aren’t just the riders and are often the motorcycles themselves as well, the pits have once again become a place of passion and exchange for visitors.
“The authentication and certification process facilitates the dissemination of accurate and verified information to younger generations. This educational dimension is important for highlighting the major milestones in motorcycle racing technology.
“From the very first events of the FIM Heritage Programme, the Sunday Ride Classic event welcomed its members, highlighted their presence and reserved a dedicated grid for them. This is to ensure that the history of our sport is recounted before the amazed eyes of the audience present, a vital action to continue promoting our events and strengthening public interest.”
FIM President Jorge Viegas said:“The FIM is proud to launch its Certification Programme at the Sunday Ride Classic 2025, the benchmark French event that meets the challenges of the evolution of the Classic scene. Certification will aid efforts to protect and promote them to the public thanks to the historical and technological value of these amazing pieces of machinery.
“We invite collectors, owners and enthusiasts to propose their motorcycles for certification, creating a worldwide database of competition machinery so that history can be preserved and passed on to future generations."
Looking forward to present you the certification programme and historic events at BOX 14 of Spirit of Speed during the Sunday Ride Classic on 17-18 May!