Mikkola Motocross Master

Record options

  • Release Date: 1st January 1978
  • Asset ID: 803397
  • Synopsis: This film emphasises the sheer professionalism of Heikki Mikkola and shows how he mastered two major 500c Moto Cross events during 1978. The races featured are the French Grand Prix held at Gaillefontaine in April and the Italian Grand Prix at Gallarate in June.
  • Shotlist: A Castrol Film. The races featured are the French Grand Prix at Gaillefontaine and the Italian Grand Prix in Milan. The film opens with a V/O talking about Mikkola and then an interview with the man himself conducted by Mick Harris. The footage from the French Grand Prix features good GVs around the circuit and Gaillefontaine. As well as general race footage the film also features exhaust noise levels being tested at scrutineering and a very muddy practice session (eventually cancelled) which features a sequence of shots with riders falling off and sliding about on their bikes set to music at 00:05:37, followed by a sequence about Mikkola and his mechanic while they clean his bike. During the races there is a small crash at 00:10:58 and a rider falling off at 00:13:16. There are interviews with Mikkola, Roger Decosta (about a pre-season near fatal crash), and Bob Right about his pre-race crashes (00:15:07) and race times followed by a shot of his back wheel stuck in the fence. The Italian Grand Prix footage features shots of people climbing over the fence and stalls around circuit and wells as GVs in paddock with mechanics making bike alterations. During the practice session there is slow motion shots of riders coming over the brow of a hill to demonstrate the movement of the bikes. At 00:22:20 Graham Noyce crashes, followed by good GVs of crowds avoiding the mud. At 00:28:10 the film fades into a weird negative/polarized montage of shots and slow motion until 00:29:28. There is also an interview with Brad Lackey and both Grand Prixs feature the winners' podium and prize ceremony.
  • Production Company: CH Wood Productions
  • Licensing Restrictions: Please note that this film may include footage and/or music sourced from multiple rights holders. For information on re-use of content in a new production, please contact BPVL@bp.com
  • Viewing Restrictions: Public
  • Format: BetaSP_Small
  • Alternative Language Notes: None