Ceské Budejovice ('Budweis'), Czech Republic
9-11 June, 2023
Words/Pictures: Onno 'Beserk' Wieringa, www.madnessphotography.nl
The first ever Indian Only AMD Approved Custom Bike Show in the World looks set for rapid growth as an annual international custom show fixture …
The area of southern Bohemia is rich in history, with several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the area. The spacious exhibition site that hosted the event is not far from the historic city center with its Baroque town square and Gothic-Ranaissance towers and spires. Oh, and not forgetting the nearby world famous Budweiser Budvar Brewery.
Entering the event site it immediately became clear that this was going to be a very well organized and widespread event on a large site with all the facilities needed for exhibitors and visitors alike. Outside all the ingredients needed to keep the crowds entertained were there, including one of the best Indian Wall of Death crews I've ever seen, with Dutchman Henri van Woerkum's wall and star rider 'Marvelous Marv' and guest rider Jan Laurens - an all Dutch lineup of top riders.
On the main stage some of Europe's best bands, a burlesque show, lots of entertainment and, never seen before at a European Event, Indian Europe presented the 2022 King Of The Baggers and 2022 Super Hooligan Champion Tyler O'Hara with teammate Jeremy McWilliams - flown in from the USA, as well as Gary Gray, Vice President of Racing, Technology, and Service for Indian Motorcycles.
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Best in Show
The most outstanding build, combining the best elements from all six classes that stands out as the most exceptional and innovative creation at the Indian Riders Fest 2023 was 'Purple Haze' built by Bike Farm Melle, Germany. Indian Best Killer Look Class - The best paint job, surface enhancement like engravings, 3D metal artworks, hydrofoil. Push it further than just a custom airbrush. 1. Bike Farm Melle, Germany 2. Andy Gemballa, Germany 3. Ralf Haselhoff, Germany |
A full fleet of demo rides of the latest Indian 2023 models was available for test-riding and booked solid the whole weekend. On the Saturday some 1,400 motorcycles rode in parade through the beautiful town of Ceské Budejovice, with help from many volunteers and police, making it a smooth, problem free ride - a joyous event for riders and the thousands of people watching along the route leading to the market square in the historic city center.
Back at the event site, this was the second year for the Budweis Custom Indian Motorcycle Show, the highly anticipated event showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of European custom bike builders and Indian Motorcycle dealers - an AMD Approved highlight of the Indian Riders Fest (IRF).
The show is believed to have been unique - the only custom show to be 100 percent dedicated to Indian Motorcycles. It featured a display of 32 exhilarating customized Indian Motorcycles in six classes.
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Indian Chief / Non-Fairing Class - All 111/116 Thunderstroke engine-based stock/modified/radical customs bikes without fairing. 1. Motomax Indian Metz, France 2. Sebastian Neumann, Germany 3. Lena Nygards, Corzo Choppers Sweden |
Prominently positioned next to the main stage, all participating bikes were assessed by the international judging panel, with the class structure designed to allow each motorcycle to be judged on its own merits. Ola Stenegärd, Director of Industrial Design for Indian Motorcycle, had hoped to be at the show, but couldn't make it so sent a video message played to the entrants at the awards ceremony.
'Best in Show' was won by Bike Farm Melle, Germany, with 'Purple Haze', a classic chopper with an aircooled 116 c.i. Thunderstroke engine, VG Specials frame, Progressive Suspension cartridge fork and many homemade parts - such as wheels, fender, sissybar, handlebars, exhaust and much more. It was voted unanimously by the judges as both winner of the 'Killer Looks' class as well as Best in Show.
There was no entry fee for the Budweis Indian Motorcycle Custom Show, but there was one firm stipulation - "If it runs, you are in," and winners had to be able to start and ride their builds onto the podium to accept their awards.
Without doubt the hottest raffle bike ever was an Indian Motorcycle Challenger in 2023 Race Replica design and style, custom hand-painted by renowned Czech airbrush artist Olaf Pugner Design and customized by Indian Motorcycle Písek, featuring the signatures of 2022 King Of The Baggers and 2022 Super Hooligan Champion Tyler O'Hara and Jeremy McWilliams.
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Indian Bagger Class - All Bagger-Style, Touring Bikes with 111/116 Thunderstroke engine or PowerPlus liquid-cooled engine-based stock/modified/radical custom bikes. 1. Diregus Ludovic, France 2. Tino Gutkowski, Germany 3. Petr Kábele, Czech Republic |
Saturday night, Tyler, Jeremy, and Gary Gray personally handed over the key to Ulm/Germany-based winner Noah, just turned 22, who could not believe his luck. To make the bike even more iconic, Tyler O'Hara had ridden the same motorcycle in the morning during the IFR Parade Ride around Budweis.
Big thanks to Horst "Motographer" Roesler for his help with the event photography and Bike Show, and especially to IRF/BCS organizers Jean-Marie and Leona Guyon, plus Irena Duskova for all her help, Indian Netherlands for letting me ride their Indian Springfield Spirit, ROOF Helmets / Perier Motorsport BV, TomTom and DeeMeed Motorcycle Bags.
Budweis Custom Show and Indian Riders Fest 2024: June 14-16 2024
1. Thomas Grewe, Germany
2. Motomax Indian Metz, France
3. Ondrej Hruza, Czech Republic
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Indian Vintage Class - All customized/modified vintage Indian Motorcycle based on original model built until 1953, symbolising the proud heritage of Indian Motorcycle.
1. Sebastian Neumann, Germany
2. Hans van Heesch, The Netherlands
3. Henri van Woerkum, The Netherlands
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Indian FTR / Sportsbike Class - All custom bikes with an original Indian Motorcycle engine produced after 2013.
1. Sebastian Neumann, Germany
2. Niklas Duracic, Germany
3. Sebastian Neumann, Germany