The Event - The Thistle

A Brief
History

First launched in 1973, Can-Am Motorcycles are celebrating their 50th Birthday this year!

No other brand has achieved such success in such a short amount of time like Can-Am.

Whether that was breaking land speed records or winning Gold medals, this motorcycle reflects one of the most successful launches in history, and deserves it's honours.

Learn More

EVENT Schedule& Registration

9:00-11:30 am
Gary Semics MX school
1:00-3:30 pm
Gary Jones MX school
1:00-3:30 pm
Q & A Session with members of the original design team (ODT).
Meet n Greet with the ODT, celeb riders, etc., Movies, Vendor area, and static display areas open museum and archival artifacts displays open.

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EVENT Classes& Registration

Vintage 1975 and older, air cooled, drum brakes.

Heritage 1983 and older, NO DISC BRAKES!

EVO Up to 1993

V100 Age of rider + age of Bike must total at least 100

V110 Age of rider + age of bike must total at least 110

Womens 16 yo ( or have parent sign waiver) 200cc and under

Womens 16yo and over 200cc.

Rider Classifications:

Amateur Rider has never competed or has minimal experience in a formal race.

Intermediate Rider has limited racing experience

Expert Riders previously classified as either Senior/Expert, Intermediate/Pro

Inspections:

All bikes are required to pass scrutineering to ensure it’s registered in the proper class. This isn’t a sound ( db ), safety or mechanical inspection!

Race Length:

1 Hour per class.

Vintage 1975 and older, air cooled, drum brakes.
Heritage 1983 and older, NO DISC BRAKES!
EVO Up to 1993
V100 Age of rider + age of Bike must total at least 100
V110 Age of rider + age of bike must total at least 110
Sportsman A 200cc and under Enduro bikes ( have lights)
Sportsman B 200cc and over Enduro bikes
Womens 16 yo ( or have parent sign waiver) 200cc and under
Womens 16yo and over

Rider Classifications:

Amateur Rider has never competed in a formal race
Intermediate Rider has limited racing experience
Expert Riders previously classified as either Senior/Expert, Intermediate/Pro
Legends Former factory riders

Inspections:

All bikes are required to pass scrutineering to ensure it’s registered in the proper class. This isn’t a sound ( db ), safety or mechanical inspection!

Moto Length:

6 laps per moto.

Register Now

For the LadiesWe are striving to make this event one that everyone who attends will have something that will stand out in your memories. This isn’t just another vintage race, this is a multi day festival celebration (that includes 3 days of competition) that we hope you will plan a vacation around for the entire family.

Pine OasisIn an effort to make this event more appealing to ladies, the owners of the facility are opening up their own private quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the event for women (and accompanied children) to enjoy piped in music in a relaxing and peaceful setting.

Enjoy the solitude of the pine oasis or the serenity of the pond area while hubby is playing in the dirt.

The Pine Oasis is free to use all weekend.

Oasis Photos(Hi-Res Coming Soon)

Wine TourOn Friday Aug 18th we are offering an outing for women to enjoy a short 4 hour tour of the local winery’s which will include tasting the various offerings and enjoying some great food. We organized this on the Friday as it’s the Cross Country race day which isn’t a really good spectator sport and offers the ladies a chance to get out and enjoy the area.

Gopher Dunes is located fairly close to the north shore of Lake Erie which is the home to various wineries and is a nice sightseeing outing.

Please register online for the wine tour.

Wine Tour Registration

PrototypesCan-Am Will have new prototype bikes on display for viewing at the event.

Bike RaffleWe are offering 3 bikes up for raffle, to which there will be 3 draws and 3 winners. Each ticket has the chance to win 3 times. Draw will be hosted and aired live August 19th at 9.00pm on Vintage MX Q & A, by Joe Abbate with the help of Gary Jones, Jimmy Ellis, Gary Semics and Jim Holley.

1974 can-am MX1 250(Photo - Pre Restoration)

1977 can-am ISDT 175(Photo - Pre Restoration)

1979 can-am 370 Qualifier(Photo - Pre Restoration)

$10 CAD/ Ticket Draw is open to all of Continental Canada and USA and will include "Land only" delivery should the winners not be attending the event. 6,000 tickets will be offered in the following manner, 5,000 tickets available commencing February 15th 2023, 1,000 will be held for sale at the event.

Canadian purchases via Interac Etransfer or Credit Cards. American purchases via Credit Cards.

Please note, we are a secure site and do not share any of your information with anyone. is via Interac, etransfer if purchaser is in Canada

For dresses in the United Stated, we will ship the bike to you in the lower 48 only. For Remote addresses, we will ship the bike to a mutually agreed upon location that has regular deliveries.

To purchase raffle tickets through email, email john@thethistle.ca with your request and the following information. Name, address (to mail tickets to), phone # and email address as well as your preferred method of payment and if you want consecutive or random numbered tickets. I'll confirm the order once payment has been received and mail the tickets out to you. Tickets will be mailed out within 24 hrs of purchase.

Net proceeds from the raffle bike draws will be donated to the "Cure for Breast Cancer"