Jaroslav Falta Memorial in Kostelec: A gathering of legends

More than four decades after their World Championship battles, numerous greats of international motocross met again in Kostelec, near Prague. Four-time world champion Harry Everts had travelled specially from Belgium to honour Jaroslav Falta, who passed away in 2022, alongside his former teammates.

One of the most emotional moments of the event was Everts’ reunion with Zdeněk Velký. The former CZ factory rider was one of the strongest competitors in the 250cc World Championship in the mid-1970s and finished the 1975 season in sixth place as the top CZ rider. In the same year, Velký won the German Grand Prix in Beuern and the Swedish Grand Prix in Barkarby, achieving a 2-1 result at each event. After more than 40 years, the two rivals were now facing each other again for the first time – and the joy was clearly evident on both their faces. The video below this article shows the moving footage of this reunion.

Harry Everts und Martina Faltova

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

What links Harry Everts and Jaroslav Falta

There is a special connection between Harry Everts and Jaroslav Falta. Both were part of one of the most controversial stories in the Motocross World Championship. At the 1974 season finale in Wohlen, Everts won both races, whilst Falta was handed a time penalty after the race for an alleged false start. As a result, the Czech rider lost the world championship title – which he had believed to be all but secured – on a technicality. Harry Everts finished the season in third place in the 250cc World Championship. Zdeněk Velký was also on the starting grid in Wohlen at the time and finished in the top 10. We have already examined the detailed history of this World Championship final – which remains controversial to this day – in a separate article.

Renn-Action in Kostelec

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Harry Everts: “We had some brilliant races against each other”

To this day, Harry Everts looks back on his Czech rivals with great respect. At the memorial ceremony, the Belgian recalled their years together in the World Championship:

Die Replika von Jaroslav Falta

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Jawa und CZ haben eine treue Fangemeinde

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Trophäen beim 4. Falta-Memorial in Kostelec

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

“We had some very good races together. I competed against Falta, Velký, Churavý, Baborovský and Halm. Jaroslav was a very quiet person. We didn’t get to talk much, but as soon as the starting gate dropped, he was an incredibly tough opponent – and that’s exactly what made our sport so special.”

More than just a classic race

The Falta Memorial has long been much more than just an event for historic motorbikes. In Kostelec, it became clear just how closely the motocross family remains connected to this day. Old friendships were rekindled, memories shared, and everyone came together to pay tribute to a great figure in the sport.

SPEEDWEEK.com will be publishing further interviews and reports over the coming days – including with Petr Kovář, Josef Chára, the internationally renowned CZ expert and former Dukla rider Jiří Starec, and Zdeněk Hazdra, who explained the Orion team’s outstanding significance for Czech motocross.

Evo Classics in Kostelec

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Classic meets modern

Naturally, the historic machines were also the centre of attention in Kostelec. At the same time, the event presented itself as a vibrant motocross festival. Alongside the young riders in the 85-cm³ class, competitors in the Czech Open class took to the track. Freestyle star Petr Pilat provided a spectacular highlight with his impressive show.

Backflip von Petr Pilat

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Show der Freestyle-Akademy von Petr Pilat

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Freestyle-Show von Petr Pilat

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Also in attendance were Ludmila Falta, the widow of Jaroslav Falta, and their two children, Martina and Jaroslav Jr., who had organised the memorial together with their team.

Action in Kostelec

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan