Sebastien Tortelli to race Stark VARG at World Vets Motocross - Hawkstone Park
By Team TMX on 24th Mar 22
Organisers of the World Vets Motocross set for Hawkstone Park in September have announced that former world champion Sebastien Tortelli will compete at the iconic venue aboard the all-electric motocross bike, the Stark VARG.
In what's shaping up to be an intriguing encounter, former world champion Tortelli will be riding the Stark VARG all-electric motocross bike, supplied by Marsh MX, against "Normal" modern bikes.
What will win, the electric motor or the internal combustion engine? We can't wait to find out. Of course, the VARG has a slight advantage with a former world champ on board.
Seb competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1994 to 1998 and the AMA Motocross Championships from 1999 to 2005.
Tortelli won two FIM Motocross World Championships; his first was in 1996 when he bested Britain's Paul Malin to the 125cc title, and then in 1998, he added the 250cc crown as he beat Stefan Everts.
He went up against some of the greats in the sport and could beat them when he was at his best but seemed to get hurt a lot.
Tortelli won the '98 AMA Supercross season opener at the LA Coliseum after starting more or less last.
Now that's the year he won the 250cc world champs, so he basically went there as a wildcard and smashed America's best seriously, that just doesn't happen!
Seb switched to Honda in America but moved to Suzuki and then came back to Europe with KTM.
Tortelli is also renowned for some big crashes. Like the one you can see below Brazil 1999 MXdN.
In addition to his 20 wins and two world titles, Tortelli is noted for being one of the few riders capable of taking on and beating the two GOATs in their prime, Ricky Carmichael and Stefan Everts.
And you might be racing against him.
Tortelli will be entering the Pro/Expert class and the organisers fully expect the 43-year-old Frenchman to make the grand final. So if that's your class, here is your chance to race against a former world champion.
Tortelli will be interviewed by Jack Burnicle at Hawkstone Park during the weekend of September 24-25, and Tortelli will make himself available for signatures and selfies. Whether you are a rider or spectator, come along and meet a true legend.
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