1974 Swiss 250 GP

[Tahitian_Red]

I remember reading old articles about what happened at the last 1974 250 Grand Prix race, but does anyone remember or know the facts of that race?

I know there were some dirty tactics by some Russian riders, but wasn't it really the FIM that took the championship away from Falta?

The "Factory Novice"

[Big Mac]

I know Moiseev was 16 pts up coming into the race and was injured, so not up to par and hoped to ride easy so as to win on points. Believe his comrades were given some motivation to make sure he and the red star came out on top.

Great story on how the team took on KTMs. Moiseev arrived at one GP and no team truck or CZs showed. Someone from the Austrian factory offered him the KTM as a quick fix. Liked it, got his teammates on board and they rode the brand very successfully until '79 when the commissars forced the issue and put them back on the iron curtain-approved CZ again.

[rob w]

Actually the final and deciding 250 World Championship round in '74 was in Switzerland.
Without going into the ugly details, I would call the outcome disgraceful, despicable, and unlawful.
The FIM should be ashamed of themselves for what they let happen that day.
Jaroslav Falta clearly was - and always will be, ten times the Champion any Russian can claim to be.

This of course has NO reflection on what an incredibly awesome motorcycle KTM was able produce in such a short amount of time.
AND of course KTM could have never accomplished what they did in building that motorcycle, without the vision and direction of John Penton.

Have a happy day,
Rob W

[sixdazed]

As my buddy Skip would say-"But Rob-Tell us how you REALLY feel!...Rob-hope you are doing well and i agree completely.
                                                       Ric

ric emmal

[Big Mac]

Ok, so how was it that Moiseev was 16pts up going into the final? And '77 + '78 world championships were coincidences. Geez, get over it. Falta got wronged one time and some dirty riding took place by teammates and FIM was weak...nothing much more than Lackey admits doing during the same era.

Moiseev, the dirty red commie that he was, deserves a break. He would be enjoying the fame and notoriety of the likes of DeCoster if he'd had the tools and the liberty to showcase his skills like the western Europeans or the Americans.

[Tahitian_Red]

The whole race day was an ugly thing that is still talked about to this day.  I would blame the FIM more than anyone else.  They made the final decision to give the championship to Moiseev and not Falta.

The Russian riders held up and knocked Falta down, but I read that Rahier and Everts let Falta catch up and pass them once they knew what had happened.  So, without the "Let Jaroslav Bye" sign being hung out Falta may not have had enough points anyway.

Ask Noyce or Lackey how dirty the racing was back then.  The FIM let a lot of stuff go on without penalty.  It is a shame that a three time World Champion has to carry that asterisk when some others don't.

Any update on the Falta-Moiseev rematch at Mid-Ohio?

Racing the "Falta-Nator" in 2009

[Larry Perkins]

The saying back then wether it was local or International was, "There is one rule in motocross and everyone forgot it."  

This was the law where I came from in Texas.  I was King of the brake check and the berm off your front tire method.  Never thought about it being dirty only a skill.  I also was the King of the cheat the start.  Just ask Uncle Ron.  I set off more rubber band starts with my duckbill than starters did in Central Texas and only got caught once.  I once had 2 Suzuki shop riders line up on either side of me and off the start they sandwiched me and we all 3 went down so their gun could run off and win the race.  Did I moan about it or slug it out?  No, I got up and hunted down and passed eventually 27 riders and took out the Suzuki gun becuase what goes around comes around.  A lot of 100cc races were won on bigger bore bikes too.  Were these dirty tactics?  I say no, it was just the way it was from local to International.  Everyone knew it was that way and it was not a big surprise then to anyone.  Just life in the fast lane.  Only now in our Political Correct environment are we appalled.

Larry P

[Tahitian_Red]

Larry,

I think what you are saying about the way the sport was, at times, back in the day is correct.  The 74 250 World Championship was not decided on the track, but in some board room and that may be why we still talk about it today.  If the FIM had taken Lackey's 82 500 World Championship a week later, because of a protest, we would still be burning FIM directors in effigy today.



Racing the "Falta-Nator" in 2009

[tomale]

I don't know larry, I was at Hangtown the day that Hannah made his big entrance on the Yamaha team. I watched him break in front of Marty going over a ledge, causing marty to stall and I thought even then that it was a cheap shot and yes dirty.
I was at a race last march and Hannah was there, and there was lots of guys that hung on his every word, but I will have nothing to do with him, I don't care if he is a factory rider. He is nothing to me. I see riders in Supercross even now change lines just in time to block a rider behind them and I think that is poor sportsmanship. I figure if a rider is fast enough to get by me then they deserve the right to pass me. If I can't pass a rider clean then I am not good enough to pass him and it is time to figure out how to pass him clean. Larry, I like you and I have always read what ever you have written, I just can't go along with this...

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
72'sixday (project bike)

[Larry Perkins]

Thom,

I am not saying it is right, just that is the way it was.  Those were the non-rules way people did things and I was as guilty as the next guy.  The old stuff or be stuffed mentality.  I am a lot better person today than then but not as good a rider.

Larry P

[sixdazed]

Larry,Where are you?Called and left you a message earlier today.Let me know what state you're in or when you get into Arizona give me a call back.Thanks,Ric

ric emmal

[tomale]

Hey Larry, I know, I realize you are not saying it is right and I know you are a better person than back then. I quess I am saying that the same kind of stuff goes on still today and ever worse, still not right and I don't understand why it is not kept in check... Racing is racing and I figure that some bumping and such.... is going to happen. I watched Trey Canard cut underneath Ryan Villapoto and I thought is fine. From what I could see, it was villapoto that made the mistake. He had cased a jump just before the corner and had scubbed too much speed. Canard had no choice but to try and cut underneath villapoto... Villapoto had gone down but it was not Canard's fault.. and stuff like this happens.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
72'sixday (project bike)