Vietnam Motorbike Festival is regarded as the biggest motorbike festival in Vietnam. This year, the Vietnam Motor Cub Prix - Ho Chi Minh City Sports Newspaper Cup 2015 was included in the festival, stirring speed lovers in the city and neighbouring localities.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports decided to allow racers to compete with Honda 67 vehicles at Phu Tho Sports Centre for the first time in 1989. This is a historic race which resembled those that had been held in the early 70s. In 1998, in celebration of the 300th anniversary of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, the race was revised to mark the event. At that time, the racetrack of Phu Tho Sports Centre (District 11, Ho Chi Minh City) was regarded as the only and the most special racetrack in Vietnam which met international standard for races. Recently, after nearly 18 years, the legendary motorbike race was organised again on the racetrack of Phu Tho Sports Centre in August, 2015.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports decided to allow racers to compete with Honda 67 vehicles at Phu Tho Sports Centre for the first time in 1989. This is a historic race which resembled those that had been held in the early 70s. In 1998, in celebration of the 300th anniversary of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, the race was revised to mark the event. At that time, the racetrack of Phu Tho Sports Centre (District 11, Ho Chi Minh City) was regarded as the only and the most special racetrack in Vietnam which met international standard for races. Recently, after nearly 18 years, the legendary motorbike race was organised again on the racetrack of Phu Tho Sports Centre in August, 2015.
Vietnam Motor Cub Prix involved two categories: YS2S (for two-stroke engine vehicles) and
YE4S (for the four-stroke motorbike brand of Yamaha Exciter). Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
YE4S (for the four-stroke motorbike brand of Yamaha Exciter). Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
Parts of the motorbikes are tuned to meet the demands of the race and fit Phu Tho racetrack. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
The joy of racers before a race. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
A racer gets ready before the race. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
Technically checking motorbikes before a race. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
Motorbikes on exhibition at Vietnam Motorbike Festival 2015. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
This year, Vietnam Motor Cub Prix involved two categories: YS2S (for two-stroke, 125cc engine vehicles) and YE4S (for the four-stroke motorbike brand of Yamaha Exciter). 32 professional racers from 22 clubs based in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Can Tho, An Giang, among other provinces, were divided into four groups competing in the YS2S field. For the YE4S field, 64 racers were divided into eight groups.
Phu Tho racetrack is a 1,200m-long meandering course with many curves and includes both right and left turns, eligible for an international race. This is a challenge of skill for the competitors. Attending the events, audiences were treated to a fest with speed, skilful cornering, rapid acceleration and even some unfortunate accidents.
Spectators could also have the opportunity to directly watch spectacular, fierce and sometimes dangerous competing among outstanding racers such as: “the Emperor of Off Road Racing” Vu Trong Bang, “the King of Road Racing” Tran Ngoc Sang, Pham Chi Trong, Nguyen Viet Linh as well as young racers such as Nguyen Ngoc Ho and Pham Van Loc.
Phu Tho racetrack is a 1,200m-long meandering course with many curves and includes both right and left turns, eligible for an international race. This is a challenge of skill for the competitors. Attending the events, audiences were treated to a fest with speed, skilful cornering, rapid acceleration and even some unfortunate accidents.
Spectators could also have the opportunity to directly watch spectacular, fierce and sometimes dangerous competing among outstanding racers such as: “the Emperor of Off Road Racing” Vu Trong Bang, “the King of Road Racing” Tran Ngoc Sang, Pham Chi Trong, Nguyen Viet Linh as well as young racers such as Nguyen Ngoc Ho and Pham Van Loc.
Impressive images on Phu Tho racetrack:
Racer Nguyen Minh Tu (Lan Huy YCS Club) is the champion of the YS4S event. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP
Defeating many famous racers, youngster Nguyen Ngoc Ho (Anh Em Gia Nghiep Club) won the first prize in the YS2S competition while Nguyen Minh Tu (Lan Huy YCS Club) became the champion at the YS4S event. Though only getting to the semi–final, reputed racer Nguyen Viet Linh said, “The race is a beneficial playground for us. I am very eager and hope that the race is held regularly so that it can serve as a professional stage for speed lovers”.
According to the race’s managing board, Ho Chi Minh City’s Sports Bicycle and Motorbike Federation has a plan to hold a regular race in order to create a legal forum for racers to join and for the sport to develop with standards and high professionalism.
According to the race’s managing board, Ho Chi Minh City’s Sports Bicycle and Motorbike Federation has a plan to hold a regular race in order to create a legal forum for racers to join and for the sport to develop with standards and high professionalism.
Story: Son Nghia – Photos: Nguyen Luan
