Elephant Rally
Encyclopedia
The Elephant Rally, or Elefantentreffen, is a winter motorcycle rally
, which takes place on the first weekend in February or on the last weekend in January annually in a valley between the towns of Thurmansbang
and Solla in the Bavarian Forest
in Germany. It is organized by the Federal Association of Motorcycle Riders in Germany.
Since 1989 it is resident in the Bavarian forest, where it takes place in snow-safe situation in the proximity of the Czech border. Each year between 5,000 and 10,000 riders from all over Europe participate; some bring along motorcycle changes and failed special constructions to the meeting.
The meeting was created in 1956 by Ernst Leverkus, who had organized it as meeting for winter-hard drivers of the well-known Zündapp
KS 601 motorcycle-sidecar
combination. The KS 601 (the "Green elephant") gave its name to the meeting.
Originally the meeting took place 1956 at the Solituderennen
(Solitude) racing course in Stuttgart. After changing places the organizer, BVDM, took over 1961 and placed the meeting at the Nürburgring
. After serious problems and organizational changes in 1978 a transfer took place to the Salzburgring
— in the first year still as emergency meeting with 400 participants, but starting in 1979, it became a regular meeting.
In 1988 the rally was canceled, as BVDM no longer wished to bear the liability and risk for it. At the Salzburgring only a privately organized emergency meeting took place. Since 1989 the meeting has taken place in the same area as the Stock Car
club. The most important change is the complete prohibition of all vehicles except motorcycles for several kilometers around the periphery of the meeting area.
Motorcycle rally
A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts. Rallies can be large or small, and one-time or recurring. Some rallies are ride-in events, whereas some like the Iron Butt Rally involve days of riding and an actual gathering only at the end of the ride.-North America:Notable annual...
, which takes place on the first weekend in February or on the last weekend in January annually in a valley between the towns of Thurmansbang
Thurmansbang
Thurmansbang is a municipality in the district of Freyung-Grafenau in Bavaria in Germany....
and Solla in the Bavarian Forest
Bavarian Forest
thumb|The village of Zell in the Bavarian ForestThe Bavarian Forest is a wooded low-mountain region in Bavaria, Germany. It extends along the Czech border and is continued on the Czech side by the Šumava . Geographically the Bavarian Forest and Bohemian Forest are sections of the same mountain range...
in Germany. It is organized by the Federal Association of Motorcycle Riders in Germany.
Since 1989 it is resident in the Bavarian forest, where it takes place in snow-safe situation in the proximity of the Czech border. Each year between 5,000 and 10,000 riders from all over Europe participate; some bring along motorcycle changes and failed special constructions to the meeting.
History
Zündapp
Zündapp was a major German motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1917 in Nuremberg by Fritz Neumeyer, together with the Friedrich Krupp AG and the machine tool manufacturer Thiel under the name "Zünder- und Apparatebau G.m.b.H." as a producer of detonators...
KS 601 motorcycle-sidecar
Sidecar
A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.-History:A sidecar appeared in a cartoon by George Moore in the January 7, 1903, issue of the British newspaper Motor Cycling. Three weeks later, a provisional patent was...
combination. The KS 601 (the "Green elephant") gave its name to the meeting.
Originally the meeting took place 1956 at the Solituderennen
Solituderennen
The Solituderennen events and the 11.4 km Solitudering near Stuttgart were named after the nearby Castle Solitude. Motorsports events were held there from 1903 to 1965....
(Solitude) racing course in Stuttgart. After changing places the organizer, BVDM, took over 1961 and placed the meeting at the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
. After serious problems and organizational changes in 1978 a transfer took place to the Salzburgring
Salzburgring
The Salzburgring is a permanent race track in Austria, east of Salzburg.-History:This race track had been opened in 1968. Lying in a narrow, alpine valley, it has a rather simple layout, with two long straights plus the sweeping and fast "Fahrerlagerkurve" at the bottom, and the narrow...
— in the first year still as emergency meeting with 400 participants, but starting in 1979, it became a regular meeting.
In 1988 the rally was canceled, as BVDM no longer wished to bear the liability and risk for it. At the Salzburgring only a privately organized emergency meeting took place. Since 1989 the meeting has taken place in the same area as the Stock Car
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
club. The most important change is the complete prohibition of all vehicles except motorcycles for several kilometers around the periphery of the meeting area.