Elephant Rally

The Elephant Party is a motorcycle winter meeting, which is held annually on the first weekend in February or the last weekend in January. It is organized by the Federation of Motorcyclists.

Since 1989 it is located in the Bavarian Forest, where it takes place in a snow-sure location in a valley between the villages Loh, Thurmansbang and Solla near the Czech border. Each year, between 5,000 and 10,000 motorcyclists in part from all over Europe; some bring to a meeting with unusual Motorcycle Modifications and special designs.

History

The meeting was founded in 1956 by Ernst Leverkus, who had organized a meeting for hardy riders of the famous Zündapp KS 601 teams. The KS 601 ( " Green Elephant " ) gave the meeting its name.

Originally, the meeting in 1956 was held in Stuttgart at the Solitude circuit. After changing locations of the 1961 BVDM took over the role of organizer and placed the meeting at the Nürburgring. After serious problems and organizational changes took place in 1978 a transfer to the Salzburg Ring - the first year regular nor as Notveranstaltung with 400 participants, from 1979.

In 1988, the meeting was canceled because the BVDM was no longer to carry the increased risk and comply with the requirements of the site in the situation. At the Salzburg ring only a privately organized Nottreffen took place. Since 1989, the meeting will take place on the grounds of the stock car clubs Solla. The most important change is the complete banishment of all vehicles except motorcycles in several kilometers radius around the event site.

The end of 2010, the meeting was in jeopardy: by amending legislation have since also for motorcycles winter tires are mandatory. But no tire on the market for most types. Since then, most of the participants move in a legal gray zone.

Old Elefantentreffen

After the meeting was canceled in 1988, organized a number of private people a parallel replacement meeting, which takes place every year since then. Since 1990, it operates at the Nuerburgring under the name Old Elefantentreffen. There is usually two weeks after the elephant instead of meeting in Solla.