Made in Austria:
The European Bike Week rocks Faak for the 20th time
- The largest European Bike Week of all time: around 125,000 visitors
- Traveled all the way to the European Bike Week: Karen Davidson
- All new 2018 models Softail Models in the Expo tent
- Flat track racing on a converted Street Rod 750
- 25 bands on the open-air stage, including Black Stone Cherry, The Picturebooks and Danko Jones
- Over 70 bikes in the custom bike show
- More than 10,000 machines at the big parade
Around 125,000 visitors and more than 70,000 motorcycles ensured that Carinthia, Austria's southernmost province, was a hive of activity for the 20th time in the first full week of September. United by their shared passion for Harley-Davidson, a wide variety of people from all over the world made a pilgrimage to Faak at the lake to European Bike Week to experience.
The festival, which traditionally forms the highlight and conclusion of the season with free admission, has long been regarded as Europe's largest motorcycle rally. Among the visitors with the longest journey were Karen Davidson. The great-granddaughter of one of the founders of Harley-Davidson was specially from Milwaukee according to Austria traveled to „Faak“ to experience.
She and the other guests were offered a great deal, as the organizers had come up with a number of highlights to mark the anniversary of Bike Week. On a specially prepared area, for example Flat track race in which 20 international journalists competed against each other.
On September 5 and 6, they were allowed to ride Street Rod 750 models, which included handlebars, seat, tank, exhaust, wheels and tires were modified, drift to their heart's content over the loose surface of the racing oval - under the expert guidance of internationally successful flat track champion Marco Belli.
The spectators were thrilled time and time again when the bikes took the bends incredibly close together in a wild slide. The winner was the Italian Elia Sammartin from Magazin Riders. The Spaniard Ferran Mas (Solo Moto) and the Japanese freelancer Daigoro Suzuki took second and third place. Ferran Mas was handsomely rewarded for the fastest lap: he got to take his bike home with him.
The heart of the event was once again beating not far from the flat track: In the 40,000 m2 Harley Village, 22 Harley-Davidson dealer from five countries, around 100 independent traders and around 30 caterers will provide an unbeatable offer for shopping, marveling and feasting.
The 2018 Harley models were on display in the Expo tent for the first time in Europe - first and foremost the brand new Softail family. Of course, you were not only allowed to sit and test ride, but also to test ride! Around 1,200 guests took the opportunity to enjoy the feeling of being in the saddle of a 2018 Harley-Davidson before the rest of the world.
Jeep, the official partner of Harley-Davidson, also presented its off-road vehicles in the Harley Village. As part of the Test Drive and Offroad Experience, visitors were able to get behind the wheel of a four-wheeler themselves to experience the qualities of the vehicles for themselves. Following the test drive people met in the Jeep Lounge at the merchandise stand, the presentation of the new Jeep Compass or the barber who trimmed hair and beards.
Those who weren't enjoying the good vibes in the Village were able to enjoy themselves on their own or on one of the four guided tours through the winding alpine terrain. In the evening, 25 artists rocked the large open-air stage and the two marquees, including the celebrated bands The Picturebooks, Black Stone Cherry and Danko Jones.
On Friday, over 70 of the most beautiful conversions that the event had to offer competed against each other in the custom bike show. Nedal Amin from Kuwait took home the title of „Best of Show“, along with a valuable brass trophy from 2Saints, Paris. He will remember the event forever, and Ana „Mamana“ Ivancic will be no different.
She took part in the story competition to mark the 20th anniversary of European Bike Week and was awarded a prize for the best event story. Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight which was customized especially for the event. Peter Van De Luijster was delighted to receive another Forty-Eight - he won the machine in the annual grand prize draw, in which 6,000 free, numbered bracelets served as raffle tickets.
With the big Parade around 10,000 bikes set off on Saturday on a massive parade around Lake Ossiach. Another feast for the eyes and ears was provided by the „Flying Bulls“ the guests a few hours later: With a Alpha Jet pilot Stefan Doblhammer presented fascinating aerial acrobatics. And on the last night, a spectacular firework display lit up the sky above the lake - a gift from the Motor Company to all fans.
Snowshoes and skis will soon be the order of the day in Faak, but the mopettes will also be back. For sure. However, it takes a year: from September 4 to 9 increases the European Bike Week 2018. See you again in Faak and until then enjoy lots of pretty event impressions on
hogeuropegallery.com.
