page 9 2014 Pere Pi - exclusive interview |
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Montesa trial 250 prototipo 1967
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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Almost all of Pere's time with Montesa was spent at the famous Espluges Montesa factory which they occupied from 1959/60.
The "DID" section was the Competition and Racing department where Pere worked. It was extended to encompass the whole area of grass in Pere's time and before Montesa left the site.
The area of grass and trees circled in blue was the practise area for Trial at the factory.
The "DID" section was the Competition and Racing department where Pere worked. It was extended to encompass the whole area of grass in Pere's time and before Montesa left the site.
The area of grass and trees circled in blue was the practise area for Trial at the factory.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
I visited the Esplugues Montesa factory with Pere and took many many photos of what remains, which surprisingly is quite a lot. Pere showed me around. It's coming up, but first there's more.
I remember very well Don Smith, Gordon Farley, Malcolm Rathmell, Benny Sellman (Sweden), Toni Gorgot (Spain), Rob Edwards, Rob Shephart, Charly Harrys, Christian Rayer (France), Jaume Subira, Jordi Rabasa, Jordi Permanyer, Jaume Subira, Andreu Codina and my team in Spain: Joan Bordas and Joan Font. When Bultaco closs the factory a part of the riders com to Montesa: Manel Soler, Yrio Vesterinen, and more.
Yes, the most important riders like Don Smith, Gordon Farley and Marlcom Rathmell were quite demanding (motocross riders were so much more). Those were wonderful years living with these riders. Rob Edwards was very friendly, Shepherd Rob was very hard to understand his English was from the mountains. Benny Sellman and Ulf Karlson spoke little and were very effective. Gordon Farley and Marlcom Rathmell were very colloquial and no problems with them… nice people.
Yes, the most important riders like Don Smith, Gordon Farley and Marlcom Rathmell were quite demanding (motocross riders were so much more). Those were wonderful years living with these riders. Rob Edwards was very friendly, Shepherd Rob was very hard to understand his English was from the mountains. Benny Sellman and Ulf Karlson spoke little and were very effective. Gordon Farley and Marlcom Rathmell were very colloquial and no problems with them… nice people.
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Don Smith visits the Montesa Esplugues factory and is seen here with Pere. Don must have been desperate for a cigarette.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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The old Montesa Factory Competition department where Pere and the other designers and engineers used to work.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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Yes, the first major pilot was arrived in Montesa was Don Smith, was very intelligent and responsible. The first day that Don arrived in the Montesa DID (Racing and Development) he was sitting on the Cota 247 we had prepared for him,. He asked for a torch to heat the handlebars . He did this work himself and accommodated himself on the bike and make the position good for him in less than 20 minutes.. This handlebars was accepted for all pilots and later came in and all series Montesa Cota-247 and 348 carried the same handlebar. It was a great success of Don Smith. Congratulations Don.
The Cota was an incredible looking bike. In my time it was very special. It was nothing like the bikes of England or Spain. It was revolutionary. The colour was amazing. It had a one piece petrol tank with seat. This was the first in the world like this.
The Cota was an incredible looking bike. In my time it was very special. It was nothing like the bikes of England or Spain. It was revolutionary. The colour was amazing. It had a one piece petrol tank with seat. This was the first in the world like this.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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Pere riding the first Montesa Cota
When I begin at the old Montesa there was a competition of road race. For me I begin with they give me a moto and I race, but after 1 year and a half when we move to Esplugues and a new factory, there me still compete and modify the bikes. I remember in 1963 or 1964 one time I go to France to race motocross and one rider come to me and say “Is it possible to buy a bike like yours”. I say “No, there is just one”. I then return and say to Mr Permanyer the man ask for my bike. Montesa at this time only produce street bike, the Impalla and me I ride a prototype bike in the motocross. After one year Mr Permanyer says ok we make one small production and I think we make 50 bikes. This bike was the result of much work by me. We then sell all immediately. Many people ask, when will this be ready and we were not fast and we say next month next month and then they were ready they all sell fast. We then produce 200 more. This also has good success. |
Pere's meeting with his then wife Maria was not out of coincidence. Maria's father ran a large 7 floor building with an extensive motorcycle chop in Mollet de Valles named Isern Motos. They were passionate Montesa supporters and had many top riders out on the tracks and at the trials. For many years in the 70's Isern Motos was the largest selling Montesa dealership in the World.
Pere, Maria and her father Juame. Juame's other child is Josep Isern who later took on the motorcycle business. Maria Isern with Eva their daughter by the racetrack. The middle photo is of the Isern shop on their opening day.
Pere, Maria and her father Juame. Juame's other child is Josep Isern who later took on the motorcycle business. Maria Isern with Eva their daughter by the racetrack. The middle photo is of the Isern shop on their opening day.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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When we begin in 67 the trial bike we begin the assembly of the new bike in 68 we have four bikes in the competition department. We send one to Tony Smith, another to Christan Rayan and then Charlie Harris and another me.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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Pere Pi Trial Champion of Spain 1968
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
To the left, Pere in 1969. Below, Pere on TV.
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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Pere riding an exhibition on the Montesa Cota 247
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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Montesa supporters encouraging Pere with "Viva Pi"
2014 Pere Pi Interview www.retrotrials.com
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