Hoess Overalls FIM Vintage ISDE
I
n 2016, the FIM added a Vin-
tage event category to the ISDE.
It was established so seasoned
veterans could compete in an IS-
DE-style event, but on the vintage
bikes (1983 or older) they have
come to know and love. The likes
of Enrico Tortoli, Giorgio Grasso,
Tullio Pellegrinelli are still very
competitive and want to con-
tinue to represent their counties
in a world-class event.
The rules are much like the
ISDE with Trophy and Silver Vase
Teams, along with individuals
and club teams. Instead of rid
-
ing six days, they ride four days,
and to compete on a Trophy
Team, you must be 50 years old
or older. To make it even more
interesting, each team must be
represented by at least one bike
1975 or older, and the teams
consist of only three riders. Keep
in mind these are all twin shock,
air-cooled bikes with drum
brakes.
Fred Hoess, a 28-time ISDE
veteran with 21 gold medals,
had been involved with the U.S.
AHRMA Vintage Series for some
time and thought it would be a
great segue into a different type
of competition. As the lone U.S.
rider, he overalled this event in
2016 and 2022.
In 2023, the first U.S. Team
competed. Mike Sheetz from
Oregon stepped up to ride the "A"
category bike sporting a 1975
Can Am 250 TNT. Lendon Smith
from Idaho and co-owner of Seat
Concepts rode a 1982 Husqvar
-
na WR430, and Hoess rode a
1983 Husqvarna WR250.
Neither Mike nor Lendon
had ever ridden an ISDE. Mike
shipped his bike, Lendon bought
one from HVA owner Andy El
-
liot, and Fred's bike from last
year was being kept at the MZ
Museum in Germany and was
transported to Spain.
The U.S. Team and their
WIND
IN THE
P28
For the second year in a
row, American Fred Hoess
overalled the FIM Vintage
ISDE.
PHOTOS: SUZY MOODY AND
FCM PHOTO GALLERY
