Bikers'Festival The Italian brand Rumi in the spotlight at the Bikers’ Festival 

A not-to-be-missed gathering of the motorbike fan community, the Bikers' Festival is sure to surprise on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. While the brands present will be making a point of showcasing their latest innovations, treasures from the past will also be on display. Like the machines from the Italian Rumi brand, which will be gathered in box 42 of the F1 pitlane... 

A modest Italian brand based in Bergamo, Rumi was founded by Donnino Rumi, who was also renowned for his artistic productions. Specialising in machinery for textile and arms industries, the company began producing motorbikes worthy of interest in the early 1950s and continued to do so until 1962. These were models powered by 125cc 2-stroke twin-cylinder engines. Riding the scooter wave in particular, Rumi produced the Scoiattolo, whose four-speed version with electric starter was considered the fastest scooter on the market at the time.

In close collaboration with René Opsomer, who has always been passionate about the brand, an exceptional collection of seven Rumi competition bikes will be presented as part of the Bikers' Festival. 

“Fans of the genre, but also motorbike enthusiasts in general, will be able to discover some very rare examples," explains René Opsomer, "like the 125 Super Sport 'Gobbetto', whose fuel tank was made by hand, with bumps designed to fit the elbows, knees and even the chin of the factory rider at the time, who was a small man! A prototype Junior with an Earles swing fork from 1957 will also be on show, as will a 1960 Junior with a five-speed gearbox converted by British rider John Dixon, the Junior of Belgian rider Richard Rousselle, who took part in the Bol d'Or, the 12 Hours of Eastern France and many other major events of the era, as well as the Rumi scooter that won the 125cc class at the 1958 Bol d'Or! In short, all very rare machines, magnifying the small Italian brand.”

As well as the different bikes, René Opsomer will be presenting documents and photos reviewing the history of Moto Rumi. It will even be possible to hear one or other of the machines running during the weekend. 

This is definitely an exhibition not to be missed, confirming the eclecticism of the Bikers' Festival 2024...