Norman Sprint Grass: Full Gas in the Grass!

Pre-65 Grass Drags in the Fields of Normandy!

On September 19-20, the Norman Sprint Grass returned to the Normandy meadows around Beauval-en-Caux, in Seine-Maritime. Organized by Fabrice and Marion Bazir, their “gang” of friends, and the local chapter of the Triton Club France, the event features pre-1965 motorcycles sprinting side-by-side down a 150-meter strip of grass and dirt. The bikes are mostly British — Triumph, Norton, BSA — and there’s a strong throwback feel to this entire event.

Unlike most of Europe’s vintage races, there are no tickets, wristbands, or corporate sponsors here…hell, there’s not even any tarmac, let alone an electronic timing system or official scoreboard. There’s not even an official social media account. Just a few smaller supporters: Unit Motor Shop, Triton Club France, NORCC (Norton Owners Register & Classic Club), and Moto Revue Classic. The Norman Sprint Grass is old-school in every sense, featuring flag-drop starts, hay-bale barriers, and plenty of cold beverages.

It’s just how you might imagine such an event might have come together in the heyday of British iron, when buddies gathered in the countryside for a bit of two-wheeled revelry.

“So, what exactly is the Norman Sprint Grass? A race? Yes. A competition? Not really. A championship? Definitely not. It’s primarily a group of friends —and clearly very good friends—who come to have a friendly battle in a field. That’s the rulebook.” -Grégory Mathieu, Moto Magazine

The machines, of course, are some of the most charismatic you’ll find on this side of a museum, hand-fettled and full of patina, and their riders were out putting them to good, hard use, kicking up clods of good Norman dirt.

Of course, there was much tuning in the pits, as these bikes can be as cantankerous as they are captivating, but that just comes with the territory when you’re dealing with machines no less than 60 years old.

It only takes one look at the grubby smiles on the riders’ faces to see what a joy it is to crack the throttle on such a machine and race one of your buddies down the track, rear wheel spinning for traction across the French countryside. It was just this kind of friendly action that drew motorcycle riders together from the earliest days of the machine.

We were fortunate to have our photographer Roberto Garagarza (@roga______) on hand to capture the action. If you see any bikes you’d like us to feature, let us know in the comments and we’ll try to track it down!