The idea switches on in 2006 when Charles Gref is in Germany at the BMW Enduro Park in order to obtain his off-road and on-road Chief Instructor diplomas. He there meets Ian, the African GS Challenge Manager who had been running this event for a few years. Back in Quebec with a great idea, Charles exposes it to Marc Fontaine, Instructor of the Sécurité Active School, in the summer of 2007. The idea is to create a similar to the African GS Challenge event for double use bikes in Quebec. The mission is now launched. Marc is convinced as well that such a rally event will generate great enthusiasm. Little time is left to organize everything for upcoming September. The concept: 3 days of friendly rally during which the event’s value are mutual assistance, team spirit and bonding and where the motto is “This is not a race” as Charles Gref said.

First, they need to find the ideal place, vast enough which will allow participants to push their own limits. Gérald Kimpton, an old competition collegue of Charles, suggests giving Jean-Luc Duquette a call as he owns the Pourvoirie Beauregard in Mont-Laurier. He also owns a R1200GSA which he bought the year before at Moto Internationale. Over the phone, Jean-Luc tells Charles he has the perfect dream place to hold the GS Challenge. Marc had planned to visit a land in La Tuque and decides to stop by Mont-Laurier to see Jean-Luc’s terrain. The site is simply magnificent.

During that time, Chantal Cournoyer, head of Publicity and Events at Moto Internationale, is working hard to get sponsors and all paperwork ready (subscriptions forms, waivers, promotional brochures, posters, etc.) and Olivier Thibert is busy processing all subscriptions. Due to astonishing teamwork, time flies and every piece falls into its place. Enthusiasm is palpable amongst the Moto Internationale team. BMW Motorrad Canada representatives state that they are very happy with Moto Internationale’s initiative to launch such an event.

Charles Gref invites Tomm Wolf, Chief Instructor of the BMW Enduro Park in Germany, to participate and it is with great pleasure that he accepts. Moto Mag.TV and Moto Journal are on site to cover the media part of the first made in Quebec GS Challenge. All pieces are falling into place to make this event a success.

For the GS Challenge’s first edition, over 30 participants enrol, including one woman (Stéphanie Chagnon) and an Irish man who happens to be working in Montreal at the same time. All participants are BMW motorcycles enthusiasts and off-road addicts. The weather was on our side during the whole week-end and the autumn colours were gorgeous. The first edition of the GS Challenge was a huge success. The story continues to this day with the implication and devotion of incredible people who all share the motorcycle passion. It is important to acknowledge that the Canadian GS Challenge is the second event of its type to occur in the world, the first one being in Africa. The Germany GS Challenge then followed in 2008.

The GS Challenge is an original idea of its founder, Charles Gref jr. who was also its main sponsor in 2007. Since then, he is the main sponsor and acts as Special Advisor.


Organized by Adventix Inc.