FIM Vintage ISDT: Team USA Battles in Italy
I
n 1974, the ISDT was held in
Camerino, Italy. Fifty years later,
the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy
race returned to Camerino.
Having experienced a devastat-
ing earthquake in 2016, the still
recovering town welctomed in-
ternational racers and fans with
open arms and thankfully, lots of
cappuccino!
Twelve riders and crew from
the USA traveled to Camerino to
participate in the event, led by
the Trophy Team of Fred Hoess,
Billy Burns and Marc Grossman.
Team USA also fielded a Silver
Vase Team, consisting of Len
-
don Smith, Chilly White and Mike
Sheetz. The Club Team was led
by Ronnie Smith, which included
George Pennington and James
Lubniewski. Three individual
riders from the U.S competed,
with Robert Johnson, Haim
Beressi and Erik Nijkamp, though
Nijkamp represented his home
country of The Netherlands.
Every U.S. rider finished! The
U.S. team rider and crew had a
broad spectrum of ISDE experi
-
ence: Some were seasoned ISDE
riders, like Hoess, White, Burns,
Grossman and Johnson, while
for others, it was their first time
at the event.
Team USA had a few mishaps
and mechanical problems along
the way that significantly skewed
the results. Former overall win
-
ner Fred Hoess had a rare engine
seizure on days two and three,
but with some quick thinking
and crew experience, he kept his
bike going, but not without a lost
route point, which is sacrilege in
the Hoess camp. In true Hoess
fashion, he finished the race
super strong, winning several
tests. He also had a knockdown
drag-out with superstar Stepha
-
ne Peterhansel at the final MX,
where Hoess came out on top.
Hoess ended up third in the C2
class and sixth overall.
WIND
IN THE
P50
Team USA was well represented at
this year's FIM Vintage ISDT that
was held in Italy.
PHOTO: SUZY MOODY
