| September 18, 2024
In 1974, the ISDT was held in Camerino, Italy. Fifty years later, the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy race returned to Camerino. Having experienced a devastating earthquake in 2016, the still recovering town welcomed international racers and fans with open arms and thankfully, lots of cappuccino!
Team USA was well represented at this year’s FIM Vintage ISDT that was held in Italy. Photo: Suzy Moody
Story by Suzy Moody
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 Lendon 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 experience: Some were seasoned ISDE riders, like Hoess, White, Burns, Grossman and Johnson, while for others, it was their first time at the event.
Past overall winner Fred Hoess had mechanical issues this year but still finished a solid fourth overall, including a final-moto win over Stephane Peterhansel. Photo: Future7Media
Team USA had a few mishaps and mechanical problems along the way that significantly skewed the results. Former overall winner 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 Stephane Peterhansel at the final MX, where Hoess came out on top. Hoess ended up third in the C2 class and sixth overall.
Sheetz had a significant mechanical failure that brought him in an hour late, although he was able to re-impound, he took a significant points hit. Grossman also took a time hit, missing some marginal arrowing and got caught out with some late minutes.
William Billy Burns had his Can-Am 175 pinned all weekend. Photo: Future7Media
The U.S. Trophy team ended with seventh place out of 13 teams. The Silver Vase team was 49th out of 76 teams, and the U.S. MTS Club team landed in 30th out of 45 teams.
Out of the Individual riders, Johnson was fourth, Nijkamp was 17th and Haim Barresi finished 21st.
Team Italy ended up taking the Trophy Team win with riders Enrico Tortoli, Tullio Pellegrinelli and Giorgio Grasso.
TROPHY TEAM (Top 5)
- Team Italy (69.27 points)
- Team France (379.52)
- Team Czech Republic (420.56)
- Team Portugal (1055.65)
- Team UK (1413.14)
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