Founder · since 1972

Carl Bastedo, one of Motopark’s original founders

Carl Bastedo is one of the original founders of Motopark, which opened in Chatsworth, Ontario, in 1972. He's spent more than 60 years in the motorcycle industry, as a racer, dealer, executive, promoter, team manager and facility owner, and joined the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2009.

Watch his story About Motopark

Role: One of Motopark's original founders, and managing director
Motopark opened: 1972
In motorcycling: More than 60 years
Hall of Fame: Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame, 2009

Who is Carl Bastedo?

Carl Bastedo is one of the original founders of Motopark, which opened in 1972 as one of the first motocross training facilities in Canada. He’s still part of the team today, as our managing director.

He’s spent more than 60 years in the motorcycle industry: as a racer, a dealer, an industry executive, a promoter, a team manager and a facility owner.

Competing against riders from both countries will be sure to create friendships and rivalries which will translate into better results in the future for riders from both countries.
Carl Bastedo, on Motopark hosting the first round of the FIM North America Continental Motocross Championship in 2022

How did Carl Bastedo race?

As a pro, in the early years of Canadian motocross. Our Canadian motocross history series has him racing through the 1960s and early ’70s:

1962: racing the Canadian nationals, number 344. Canadian motocross history, 1960 to 1965
1968: on Canada’s 250cc team in the Challenge matches against the Americans, riding out of Niagara Falls. Canada won for the third year in a row. Canadian motocross history, 1966 to 1969
1970: among the winners at Sault Ste. Marie’s first motocross.
1971 and 1972: racing 125s for Team Kawasaki in 1971, and with the team at the 1972 International Motocross at Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Quebec. Canadian motocross history, 1970 to 1975

Carl Bastedo racing motocross, number 8, in a black-and-white photo — Carl Bastedo racing, number 8, in his Bastedo jersey.

Carl Bastedo racing through the mud, number 8, in a black-and-white photo — Carl Bastedo racing, number 8, in his Bastedo jersey.

Is Carl Bastedo in the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame?

Yes. Carl was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2009. Read his Hall of Fame entry.

What is The Carl Bastedo Story?

It’s a documentary about Carl’s life and legacy, and how he broke ground for motocross in Canada. Watch it here, or on our YouTube channel.

The full documentary, from Motopark's YouTube channel.

What has Carl written for riders?

Two of our guides are his:

Motocross training: how to get fit for motocross, at any age.
The motocross cookbook: breakfast, lunch and dinner for riders who cook for themselves.

More about the park he helped start is on our About page, and you can meet today’s crew on our coaches and staff page.