Page 2- Interview with Francesc Tarres + meet Pol and Jordi's father at home.
So, equipped with many many questions, digital voice recorder and 2 cameras, one as back up, Josep and myself head to Rellinars from Girona where we had been to the new GasGas factory. As I was there I thought to myself that it was particularly ironic that whilst the biggest success ever for GasGas, came from Jordi Tarres, they are very secret, whilst Jordi and his family and very open. I do suppose this is all down to business though and I fully understand.
Driving to Rellinars always fills me with a sense of excitement. Its a very peaceful tucked away village surrounded by rocky hills and mountains. It has one small narrow and windy road passing though. There is a small school, a church, a café with bar and a post office. The sun burnt hills are shaded partly by thirsty trees providing little shade from the intense summer sun. The village climbs up and down steep banked hills and as a result most of the village boast beautiful views.
With 5 miles to go, I'm not really looking at the road. I'm scanning the country side all around me looking for Jordi's practice grounds. The excitement literally builds as the miles count down. I'm trying to look everywhere whilst hoping that the meeting will go well and keeping my eyes on the road. The rocky landscape quickly changes to woodland with thin low pine trees. Then all of a sudden my effort pays off and I see an old friend. The practice ground from the original Jordi Tarres Beta tape.
I park the car up quickly and we jumped out. Yes, this was definitely it, right in front of my eyes. I couldn't quite believe it.
This is the mother of all Jordi practise grounds. This was not only where Jordi was filmed for the Beta tape, it is also the place where Pol trained with Jordi on the Jotagas and where JTG Swiss Trials Champion Eddie Karlson trained, also with Jordi.
So here are some pictures I took along with flash back pictures If you’re a Tarres fan you’ll remember this immediately.
Driving to Rellinars always fills me with a sense of excitement. Its a very peaceful tucked away village surrounded by rocky hills and mountains. It has one small narrow and windy road passing though. There is a small school, a church, a café with bar and a post office. The sun burnt hills are shaded partly by thirsty trees providing little shade from the intense summer sun. The village climbs up and down steep banked hills and as a result most of the village boast beautiful views.
With 5 miles to go, I'm not really looking at the road. I'm scanning the country side all around me looking for Jordi's practice grounds. The excitement literally builds as the miles count down. I'm trying to look everywhere whilst hoping that the meeting will go well and keeping my eyes on the road. The rocky landscape quickly changes to woodland with thin low pine trees. Then all of a sudden my effort pays off and I see an old friend. The practice ground from the original Jordi Tarres Beta tape.
I park the car up quickly and we jumped out. Yes, this was definitely it, right in front of my eyes. I couldn't quite believe it.
This is the mother of all Jordi practise grounds. This was not only where Jordi was filmed for the Beta tape, it is also the place where Pol trained with Jordi on the Jotagas and where JTG Swiss Trials Champion Eddie Karlson trained, also with Jordi.
So here are some pictures I took along with flash back pictures If you’re a Tarres fan you’ll remember this immediately.
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Jordi rides down the road from his house 1 km away and turns in off the road to practice
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Jordi drops off the tarmac and goes for the steps. Note that since the road has been widened by a few feet the Rellinars sign has been moved up the road two hundred yards
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Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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A wide panoramic photo of the area. Jordi would drop in just past the trees turning right up the steps. Today, they still look huge. The old Beta video flattened them.
Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Jordi, down by the road turning back up the double steps
Francesc Tarres Interview
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Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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Here are the steps he is riding up and over .
A historic site of interest? In my book yes :)
A historic site of interest? In my book yes :)
Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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Jordi at the top of the double steps. The trees are now older and wider in girth (I know the feeling ). You can see the height of the steps by how much lower the camera man was to Jordi
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Jordi getting some air time off the banks, watched on by some local youngsters.
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Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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Here is Jordi riding over the huge rock on the air cooled Beta
Francesc Tarres Interview
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Here is the rock today, its just been hit by wheels and sump guards for another 26 years. Yes it is the same, I checked. It looks formidable doesn't it ?
Francesc Tarres Interview
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Im sure you remember this. Jordi rides down the hill on his front wheel.
Francesc Tarres Interview
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Exactly the same location today
Francesc Tarres Interview
WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM