Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix


The Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that was part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season from 1949 to 1990.

History

The first official Belgian grand prix was held in 1949, but non-championship races were held as far back as 1921.
Every Belgian GP was held at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with the exception of the 1980 season when the round moved to the Zolder circuit due to problems with the new asphalt at Spa-Francorchamps in 1979. After the problems were resolved, Spa-Francorchamps became the host again from 1981 onwards.
The last race was held in 1990, and was subject to controversy. At the time, the FIM–IRTA war was raging on, and the Belgian Grand Prix became a casualty of this. Bernie Ecclestone decided to double the ticket prices for the 1989 Belgian Grand Prix compared to the 1989 Dutch TT which was held a week earlier. This was much to the anger of the Belgian fans and as a result of this, many fans stayed at home for the 1990 Belgian Grand Prix. This drop in spectators, in combination with the race being held on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, caused the Belgian GP to be scrapped from the 1991 season onwards.
Currently, Spa is not suitable for motorcycle racing, and does not have an FIM licence. There is active discussion between the FIM and the circuit to make improvements to the circuit to make it suitable for motorcycle racing in time for the 2021-22 endurance season, but after a fatality during the Formula One car event in 2019, circuit officials have discussed accelerating the improvements in order to bring an FIM certified event to Spa.

Official names and sponsors

Multiple winners (riders)

Multiple winners (manufacturers)

By year

A pink background indicates an event that was not part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship.