Nostalgic 50cc challenge revs up

Thursday 05 March 2020

A nostalgic race celebrating the small, but mighty, 50cc engine will be revving up in Jersey this summer.

Forming part of the Jersey International Motoring Festival (JIMF), the new motorsport event harks back to the “bygone racing era” when the 50cc Grand Prix class grew in popularity.

Open to any 50cc motorcycle or scooter, the challenge will see riders complete a timed sprint over a quarter of a mile, competing for the trophy. 

Taking place on the first weekend of June, the festival hopes to make this 50cc challenge an annual event as part of its ‘Moonlight Sprints’ across Victoria Avenue. 

Pictured: The sponsors of the event, Islands Insurance's Will Dawson and Joe Castellino from Le Riche Automobile Restorers.

Giving some of the background for this Grand Prix class, Joe Castellino from one of the event’s sponsors, Le Riche Automobile Restorers, explained: “The 50cc Grand Prix class was hugely popular in the 1950s and 60s, especially in both east and west Europe. Back then it was known as the ‘Schnapps Glass Classe’ in East Germany because the piston of a 50cc engine is no larger than a shot glass! In those austere post-war years few people could afford the luxury of an expensive large capacity motorcycle, so they tuned their mopeds instead…. and went racing!”

But, despite its small size, Joe says that the 50cc engine should not be underestimated, adding: “The need for speed and racing is untameable in man, like the need to climb mountains. It just must be done. Those 50cc bikes could often produce 12 horse power, and propel a rider to travel at nearly 100mph. Not bad for a garden strimmer motor!”

The event is open to any competitor, provided they’re entered in the motoring festival. Each vehicle will be examined to ensure its safe, complies with the required guidelines and that the engine fits the 50cc specification.