Posts
116
Joined
8/17/2014
Location
OH
US
Edited Date/Time
2/2/2015 9:03pm
The AMA has changed things up a bit this year. The below link talks about VMD and the change to 3 motos over 2 days with open practice Friday. On the bottom of the page follow the link for the Vintage Grand Tour for additional races.
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing/nationalchampionships/vintag…
They expanded to other geographic areas and more or less did away with the 7 race series they had last year that was only IL, MI, OH, and KY. They are really stand alone events. I think this should be pretty good for the Vintage world myself and also hopefully attract some new blood with the later classes so the promoters keep them coming.
Also of note they have a class for "classic non current" that basically covers 89 back to EVO3 AMA/Ultima AHRMA They will also have NC that covers 90-98. Man did I love racing my 88 CR250 back in the day.
I know some people side with Ahrma over AMA, me personally I like them both because they let me race on tracks where I don't have to do 100 foot triples. The way I see it if I have one from either organization within striking distance I am there. I also think it is important that we support them because I want them to do it next year.
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing/nationalchampionships/vintag…
They expanded to other geographic areas and more or less did away with the 7 race series they had last year that was only IL, MI, OH, and KY. They are really stand alone events. I think this should be pretty good for the Vintage world myself and also hopefully attract some new blood with the later classes so the promoters keep them coming.
Also of note they have a class for "classic non current" that basically covers 89 back to EVO3 AMA/Ultima AHRMA They will also have NC that covers 90-98. Man did I love racing my 88 CR250 back in the day.
I know some people side with Ahrma over AMA, me personally I like them both because they let me race on tracks where I don't have to do 100 foot triples. The way I see it if I have one from either organization within striking distance I am there. I also think it is important that we support them because I want them to do it next year.
In essence, classic non current is 125, 250, 500 all in one class? Am I reading this correctly?
I also don't get the "Grand Tour" thing. This is points for road riders?
Perhaps it's just me, but I get the E 1, 2, 3 thing, I just don't get why they couldn't just keep it going with E 4 & 5
Just my $.02
Not sure on the names. I am just glad they kept the ball rolling as there was talk it could just be VMD and that's it.
The Shop
I'll help:
http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Street/GrandTours/AMAVintageGran…
The class structure had me scratching my head and I'm hardly a novice at vintage racing. Already have a hotel rez for Mid-Ohio.
Looks like the new 3-day format is going to seriously cut into my swap meet browsing.
Many of these tracks have done Vintage MX in the past and run AMA sanctioned to begin with. I think they just got together to try an promote the cause. If you think about it in the last 3 years they opened it up to include up to 96. I think growing that will be the key to keeping it going plus if they race it locally they may be more likely to think about the trip.
In my opinion they are trying to grow the sport.
The series the last 2 years has been great, sure it could have had more riders but they didn't exactly go out of their way to promote it, it was hard enough finding information even on their own facebook page at the best of times. I think they really could have had something good there if they would of put a bit more effort in and now with gas close to half of what it was last year, I would think that a lot of racers would start travelling again. If the series is gone, it's a real shame.
The basic problem with the AMA is that they're quite clueless on running any kind of series or events. And vintage racing is a very difficult "sell" to track owners as the turnouts are rarely large. Tracks have the same expenses whether 100 riders show up or 500, but they need to make money and 100 riders won't provide much chance of profit.
I'll be doing Log Rd (fun track) and I hope Walnut (ditto) and MO. Also all of Woody Grave's Midwest VMX races that I can get to. He includes a Modern Bike Support class, so the KTM gets some exercise too.
VMX3, since you're in Indy, you should check out his series: www.midwestvintagemx.com as he has two Indiana race dates and the one in Byron IL will also be worth the drive (5 hours for you).
Woody set up and ran the Florida Vintage MX Series and his daughter still runs that one. Very good group and good races. Now he's doing the same in the Midwest.
I am building a skunk works, super duper, ultra trick, high end scoot for riding PV (E3) this year. I had planned on racing AHRMA in march in Florida. Not quite sure if the machine will be done then. Anyhoo...
Now that this AMA thing has come about I see that there is several races I can attend. Same with AHRMA (nationals). Several races are near me (West Virginia). Heck I wouldn't mind trying out Monster Mountain.
For you that have been running both or either series how is the attendance? I get bummed when I travel 4-8 hours to line up with 4 guys in my class. I know when I left AHRMA rider attendance was down at the nationals (I never did DD's ).
I am not looking to turn this into a AMA vs AHRMA keyboard fest. That horse has been flogged many times.
Can't believe I am saying this, but I am considering just running the AMA "series" for PV, E3. I really do like AHRMA peeps though...
What say you?
Stan
415
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