I love the 80's: BK 1988 in Borgloon
This weekend the Belgian Motocross Championship will arrive in Tongeren. The Belgian Championship competition in Tongeren may only be in its second edition, but there is a long tradition of Belgian Championship competitions in Haspengouw. In neighboring Borgloon, many BC competitions were held between the orchards. The most notable took place in 2…
After the 1987 Inters championships ended chaotically, partly due to the cancellation of the match in Bavegem, the BMB to develop a different concept for the BK for 1988. And so it came about that the Belgian Championships in the Inter classes would be held on the same day for the first time. The place of action: the flank circulation of the City pants in Borgloon. Moreover, there was another scoop for the Loonse MC organized competition: for the first time a BC for Inters 125cc was held. Until 1987, that class simply did not exist within the BMB.
The design of the 1988 Belgian Championship was quite simple. Each Interklasse rode 3 heats of 30 minutes + 2 laps. The two best results from each rider were then taken into account for the final ranking. The Belgian toppers did not have to do it for free because the total prize pool was 1.053.000 BEF (about 26.000 Euro). A series victory yielded 25.000 BEF. The champions received another BEF 30.000 on top of that prize money.
In the brand new BK 125cc, two people from Liège faced each other. On the one hand Georges Jobe who that year, in an attempt to become the first Mister 875cc, had switched to the lightest World Cup class. On the other hand, the Walloon coming man Thierry Godfroid. Godfroid immediately dealt a blow to Jobé by winning the first round. Godfroid also seemed to be on his way to the title after 30 minutes in the second round. At least, until Jobé passed him in the added laps. In the final heat “Tchee” however, fell through the ice and the title still went to Jobé.
With the quarter liters the BK became a Limburg affair. Brustemnaar Marc Velkeneers Naturally, it started as a favorite in its own region. However, the first round was won by Peter Dirkx. The Overpelten native also held the lead for a long time in the second round, but in the last lap he was outsmarted by Velkeneers. However, a fall in the third heat forced Velkeneers to give up and Dirkx was given free rein. Marnicq Bervoets, who competed in the 125cc World Championship that year, finished second and took bronze in the Belgian Championship.
With the heavy 500cc guns, the Belgian Championship became a battle between fellow villagers Eric Geboers en Dirk Geukens. Geboers narrowly won the first round ahead of Geukens. The Shoekonfex rider led almost the entire second moto for Geboers. However, at the start of the last two laps, he started the attack. Geukens had no recourse against “The Kid” and so Geboers became Belgian 500cc champion for the second time.
The 1988 Belgian Championship was also a bit like Honda's Belgian Championship. They added three Belgian Inter titles for Honda riders Honda Belgium de Grand Slam caught.
Results BK Motocross 1988:
BK 125cc:
1e some: 1. Godfroid, 2. Jobé, 3. Bal, 4. Wijnants, 5. Magain
2e some: 1. Jobé, 2. Godfroid, 3. Magain, 4. Van Leeuwen, 5. Geerts
3e some: 1. Jobé, 2. Van Leeuwen, 3. Lefrançois, 4. Bal, 5. Magain
Final score BK 125cc: 1. Georges Jobé, 2. Thierry Godfroid, 3. Rudy Van Leeuwen, 4. Pascal Bal, 5. Bernard Magain
BK 250cc:
1e some: 1.Dirkx, 2. Velkeneers, 3. Claus, 4. Bervoets, 5. Westdorp
2e some: 1. Velkeneers, 2. Dirkx, 3. Claus, 4. Bervoets, 5. Westdorp
3e some: 1. Dirkx, 2. Bervoets, 3. Westdorp, 4. Greisch, 5. Claus
Final score BK 250cc: 1. Peter Dirkx, 2. Marc Velkeneers, 3. Marnicq Bervoets, 4. Rik Claus, 5. Jack Westdorp
BK 500cc:
1e some: 1. Geboers, 2. Geukens, 3. Vromans, 4. Blanchy, 5. Grobben
2e some: 1. Geboers, 2. Geukens, 3. Vromans, 4. Blanchy, 5. Grobben
3e some: 1. Geukens, 2. Geboers, 3. Jacky Martens, 4. Vromans, 5. Blanchy
Final score BK 500cc: 1. Eric Geboers, 2. Dirk Geukens, 3. André Vromans, 4. Jean-Marc Blanchy, 5. Jacky Martens
Photo Credit: Archive Motocrossmag.be, BMB archive.
Also to read
VIDEO: Liam Everts and the art of driving in the mud
Driving in the mud is an exercise that requires a lot of technique. In the 90s and 2000s, Stefan Everts was the king of the mud thanks to an impeccable technique that…VIDEO: 2024 Denver Supercross Highlights
The sixteenth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship was held in Denver. It was a perfect weekend for Honda as Jo Shimoda (250SX) and Jett Lawrence (450SX) managed…Lawrence brothers dominate in Denver
The sixteenth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 450SX went well for Honda. Jett Lawrence wins the final in Denver ahead of his brother Hunter! Jason Anderson may…Shimoda wins, Kitchen and Hampshire on equal terms!
In Denver, Jo Shimoda has finally found success. The Honda rider won the ninth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 250SX West Coast…
Your reactions