Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations
62 Years of History
By Marc Pétrier - FIM
First years: dominance of the British team
Motocross, known as “scramble” when it was “invented” in the 20s, developed quickly in the 30s. After the war, the FIM elevated this sport at international level by giving birth to the Motocross des Nations (official title in French), a classic event which has been run annually ever since.
The inaugural event was held near The Hague, in the Netherlands, on 20 July 1947. Three nations were invited – the Netherlands, Belgium and Great Britain. The Belgian rider Auguste Mingels was the fastest, but the A team of Great Britain with Bill Nicholson (BSA), Fred Rist (BSA) and Bob Ray (Ariel) won the first team title, ahead of the Belgian “B” squad.
The second “Nations” contest took place in August 1948 in La Fraineuse, close to the Belgian city of Spa. National federations of France, Sweden and Luxembourg were also invited for an event dominated by the local team. Nic Jansen, Marcel Cox and Andre Milhoux took first, second and fifth places, clinching the first Trophy for Belgium.
At the end of August 1949 it was the turn of Great Britain to host the final competition of the decade at Brands Hatch. Great Britain won the competition for the second time, thus keeping the Cup indefinitely. The ACU then donated another Cup for the competition’s winning team. The Vice-President of the FIM International Sporting Commission Peter Chamberlain had always been a strong supporter of Motocross, and worked a great deal on behalf of the national teams’ competition. After he passed away in 1954, the cup was officially named after him.
In the 50s, the British dominance was quite strong: seven victories out of 10 in the Motocross des Nations before 1960. The only exceptions were the victories of Belgium in 1951 and Sweden in 1955 and 1958.
A competition for 250cc machines, named the Trophée des Nations, was created by the FIM as from the 1961 season. Victories in the first years were clinched by the Swedes after two initial successes for Great Britain. In the 500cc team event Great Britain lost against Sweden in 1961/62, but then won five years in a row, reaching the number of 14 victories in 20 years, however their last win was in 1967 and it would take 27 years before they won again.
Click here to view past winners
62 Years of History
By Marc Pétrier - FIM
First years: dominance of the British team
Motocross, known as “scramble” when it was “invented” in the 20s, developed quickly in the 30s. After the war, the FIM elevated this sport at international level by giving birth to the Motocross des Nations (official title in French), a classic event which has been run annually ever since.
The inaugural event was held near The Hague, in the Netherlands, on 20 July 1947. Three nations were invited – the Netherlands, Belgium and Great Britain. The Belgian rider Auguste Mingels was the fastest, but the A team of Great Britain with Bill Nicholson (BSA), Fred Rist (BSA) and Bob Ray (Ariel) won the first team title, ahead of the Belgian “B” squad.
The second “Nations” contest took place in August 1948 in La Fraineuse, close to the Belgian city of Spa. National federations of France, Sweden and Luxembourg were also invited for an event dominated by the local team. Nic Jansen, Marcel Cox and Andre Milhoux took first, second and fifth places, clinching the first Trophy for Belgium.
At the end of August 1949 it was the turn of Great Britain to host the final competition of the decade at Brands Hatch. Great Britain won the competition for the second time, thus keeping the Cup indefinitely. The ACU then donated another Cup for the competition’s winning team. The Vice-President of the FIM International Sporting Commission Peter Chamberlain had always been a strong supporter of Motocross, and worked a great deal on behalf of the national teams’ competition. After he passed away in 1954, the cup was officially named after him.
In the 50s, the British dominance was quite strong: seven victories out of 10 in the Motocross des Nations before 1960. The only exceptions were the victories of Belgium in 1951 and Sweden in 1955 and 1958.
A competition for 250cc machines, named the Trophée des Nations, was created by the FIM as from the 1961 season. Victories in the first years were clinched by the Swedes after two initial successes for Great Britain. In the 500cc team event Great Britain lost against Sweden in 1961/62, but then won five years in a row, reaching the number of 14 victories in 20 years, however their last win was in 1967 and it would take 27 years before they won again.
Click here to view past winners
