Carolina Cam Gear Carnage

ahead of Dutch Stivason/Jerry Hoag and Claude Fink Jr./Michelle LeCLear-Fisher; just 1.76 seconds separated the pack.

AHRMA events are notorious for makin’ stories, on and off the track, with the help of decades-old parts vintage motorcycles are made of. Mark Shaver’s valve train decided to take the day off. Stuart Sanders (one of Mark’s closest competitors) pitched in Classic Sixties 650 - 731 Stan Keyes with spare parts, and the assemblage of the Hall brothers, Greg Glevicky, Stan Keyes, Dylan Shaver, Tim Terrell, Patrick McGraw, Bill Doran and Kevin Burns all turned Mark’s weekend around. AHRMA folks are always willin’ to offer up tools, parts, expertise, BS, beer, condolences, labor, snide comments, and lots of encouragement (not necessarily in that order) to rescue these after-hours episodes. Mark Morrow has been on his own run of tough luck and found himself in need of an uncrumpled motorbike. He snatched up Danny Miller’s RD400 in time to make the event and conduct the AHRMA Academy of Roadracing on Friday. But the bike had one heck of a front brake pulsation that Mark decided he’d just deal with on the track. Jeff Hargis had other ideas. He showed up with determination, files, cutoff wheels, hammers, crescent wrenches (I know, cringing, right) and they were able to tweak the rotor back into service.

But the two-wheeled family didn’t have all the late-night fun. Eric Todd Trosper found himself deep in the grease late Friday night and Saturday morning. See related story: Cam Gear Carnage, and the Monkey Pilot

SIDE STORY CAROLINA CAM GEAR

By: Eric Todd Trosper and Celia Wren Trosper

We were so happy to be able to race at Kershaw. Moved some work around to make the 900-mile, one-way trip and made sure the Bird (school bus) was ready to roll. We arrived in the evening and found our pit spots with our racing family. We were greeted by many and the fun started. We race the Moto Guzzi in SC2 sidecar. We have loved every minute of it since we started seven seasons ago. Friday’s tech was busy, and the weekend was looking awesome. Rolled out for practice, spirits high, this was our first time at CMP, and the fresh pavement looked gorgeous! Taking our time around to get to know the track we were at less than 75%; just a get-to-know-you kind of pace.

(AND THE MONKEY PILOT)

On our fourth lap, the Guzzi just signed off, no warning, no misfire, just like the switch was turned off. This is the best kind of issue because its most likely electrical, a wire or something. Easy I’m thinking!

A tow back to the pits and went straight for the multimeter to check the battery and switch. I had 12 volts everywhere, so I pulled the plugs. No spark, so off the tank comes. The coils are hot and all of it seems right. Then I figure it must

by the Dyna module or Broke Guzzi pickups. Pull the cover Photo by: Eric Trosper on the distributor to see if anything is off there, looks good. I hit the starter button (Guzzis have those) and notice I had no rotation inside the distributor. My heart sank. What I thought was going to be something simple ends up catastrophic. 25 minutes later, and I’m staring in disbelief! The cam gear is broken into three pieces. How in the world does that happen? I obviously do not carry a spare. I’m going to have to break the news to Celia… Story over.

Celia was like, “Just fix it,” and “It’s not the crankshaft, right?” So, we put the word out on the internet… We were led to a fellow north of Asheville named Earl Totman. A few phone calls later, I was talking to him and he said he would go look at a few old parts bikes. The early Guzzis have gear driven cams and changed to a timing chain in 1974, I think, and there are a couple different configurations to go along with that. I needed 52 teeth. Earl calls back and says he has one and he will take it off for us. We just have to come get it. Davey Jones had been involved in this since the beginning, so he offered to pick it up from Earl (they are friends) and drive it halfway. Celia jumped into Jacob’s truck (our son and CB160 racer) and started driving to a Waffle House to meet up with Davey. It was over a five-hour round trip for Celia and she returned at 1:30 AM.

I woke up at 6 AM and started my repair. First of all, the stock marks are somewhat useful on a Guzzi but the big Megacycle cam has its own marks, and I Trophy1 and Kershaw1 can’t find much of anything on Photo by: Brad Carlisle the broken gear. Got an assist on the phone from Joe, the Guzzi Doctor, I put it back together three times, and finally on the fourth time, I had it! Not perfect but overlap at TDC is a good indicator that I’m pretty freaking close—enough to run anyway. Buttoned it all back up loosely,

turned on the fuel and hit the button. NOTHING. Plenty of spark and fuel, but no compression. Neither side had any compression (both exhaust valves where bent). So that’s the end of our story on the Guzzi at Kershaw. Similar stories happen at every event… we race old motorcycles, and these things happen. But that’s not the end of the story. Peter Essaff offered us his SC4 rig, 9E! We accepted and went to do a bit of pit riding so I could at least shift it. BIG

PROBLEM! I could not fit in the thing. I mean, it spread me like a thanksgiving turkey, my goober couldn’t handle it! How on earth does anyone ride this? So, now the story’s over for sure. I looked at Celia after one lap around the pits and told her no way can I drive this rig. It’s killing me. She looks at me and said,

“I’ll drive, you monkey!” This story is

NOT over. She sat in the thing like it was made for her, and I became Big Booty Judy, monkey! We drove it around

Saturday. Got up Sunday and did the

Sunday morning practice session. We were certainly slow but got better every lap. 1 board, sideways and green flag,

Celia nailed the start and I got to all my positions! It was the time of our life! We even got a first place that day, and it means as much to us as any trophy on the shelf. Thanks Peter. It was awesome! “I could not have been more disappointed when I found out about the cam gear. But Peter had mentioned the Kawasaki rig, so I switched over to ‘new adventure’ mode when the rig was available. I could not have been more excited! When Eric couldn’t fit in the rig, I didn’t hesitate to offer to drive. I’ve ridden all kinds of bikes with all kinds of shifting patterns and riding positions but have never ridden something so fast and have never raced! I was thrilled. Then to have Eric Todd be MY monkey! What an exciting experience it was! One I will never forget!” And we lived happily ever after. Celia Wren - Pilot (and Big Booty Judy – Monkey)

BIG FUN IN AC RNFIELD

RED FLAGGED BY A COMBINE

@ TALLADEGA GP RACEWAY

BY: JOE W. KOURY SEPT. 12 & 13

2020 REHV MOTO AHRMA NATIONAL HISTORIC CUP ROADRACE SERIES // ROUNDS 11&12 //

PHOTOS BY: ETECHPHOTO

Rounds 11 and 12 of the abbreviated 2020 Rehv Moto Scrambler. Alex prevailed on Sunday over Duke and Dave AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadrace Series were held in Roper when Jason decided to rest his Yamaha. Another fast rural Munford, AL, September 12th and 13th. It was good to and furious Roberts, Jason’s son Colton, was also on a mission finally be back in the saddle after sitting out the season with in Formula 125 action barely squeaking out the win on his a rebuilt shoulder. This was also the first anniversary of the Yamaha TA125/RD200 hybrid over Jonas Sein on his fourmultiple engine failures we experienced (due to defective parts) stroke Honda CB175. I lost sight of the kids early on in that that kept us off the track here last year. The temperatures were race and flailed my way to a distant third. cooler than in 2019, but the competition was anything but. And then the Formula Thunder fast guys took their turn on Two new racers graduated from the AHRMA Academy of the 1.4-mile circuit. Pete Tenhoopen snagged the top podium Roadracing on Friday. There were some great races to follow step on his Triumph 675R over Ervin Kollek (Ducati 1199S from the infield and, as always, some good times in the paddock Panigale) and Paul Canale (BMW R nineT). On Sunday, after the rubber dust settled. There is no way to adequately Pete would repeat, turning the third fastest lap of the weekend describe the AHRMA family bond. (1:03.585). But Kollek made him work for it, finishing a scant

Jonas Stein jumped out to an early lead in the CB160 races 0.6 seconds behind. The Sound of Singles 3 class is always both days. He was determined. Joe Koury (Honda CB175) entertaining when Ralph Staropoli and Stewart Aitken-Cade tried to chase him down but came up short. In that same bang clip-ons. Couple that with all the KTM RC 390 Cup race, Alex McLean (1937 Norton Manx) barely held off the bikes, small bore two-strokes and talented riders and there’s persistent Dave Tompkins (1948 Vincent Comet) in the Class something for all the spectators to try and keep up with. Ralph, C Footshift battle on Saturday. on a Honda RS125, won both days over Aitken-Cade riding a

Jason Roberts was on his Yamaha TD2B throttle hard in the Honda NSF250R, but Sunday’s finish was by only 0.1 seconds. 350GP race, finishing ahead of Alex McLean (1967 Harley- Pete Nicolosi (Energica Ego) and Arthur Kowitz (Zero SR/F) Davidson Aermacchi Drixton) and Jerry Duke’s Ducati 350

3Z Dave Frick SOS3, 179 Arthur Kowitz Formula Lightning, 447 Peter Nicolosi Formula Extreme, 690 Bob Berbeco Motard at the start of Race 3 on Saturday

Jason Roberts 350GP on a Yamaha TD2B

could be seen but barely heard in that race as they whirred by on their Formula Lightning and Formula Extreme electron-powered machines. Race four was a back-and-forth battle all weekend between the modern sidecars of Peter Essaff/Terri Korn and Dale Lavender/Milan Lavender. It was Terri’s first passenger ride on an F2 machine.

R75) to the finish in the Formula 750 race on Saturday. Battle of the Twins 2 was a Bob Berbeco (Pierobon X60R), Clint Austin (Triumph Thruxton 900), Craig Light (2005 Ducati) finish both days with Austin and Light in a drag race for second place at the checkered flag. Clint got there first, but only by a half second.

Dennis Parrish (Honda CB900F) and Dave Crussell (Kawasaki Z1R) had a tight tangle in Saturday’s Formula Vintage race with Crussell barely edging Parrish for the win. In the featured 500 Premier Vintage Cup race, Stuart Carter’s AJS Seely emerged as the top dog on Saturday over Andrew Mauk’s ‘69 CB450 Honda and Open Two-Stroke featured some of the fastest laps of the weekend on a variety Yamaha TZ250) won on Saturday and Sunday turning the second fastest lap overall with a 1:03.580. (Track owner Richard Harris laid down a 1:01.224 in Formula Thunder, but he’s been practicing some.) But the real battle was back in the hunt with Dave Frick (1999 Yamaha TZ250) second, Stewart Aitken-Cade (Honda RS) third, Frank Shoenbeck (1991 Yamaha TZ250B) fourth and Dave Crussell (1978 Yamaha TZ750) fifth, all about one second apart. Sunday it was Crussell second, Shoenbeck third and Frick fourth, tied just as tightly as the day before.

Colton Roberts (1973 Yamaha RD250) and Steve DeCamp (Honda CB400F) were side-by-side at the Formula 250 checkered flag on Saturday. Colton won by a tenth of a second. Jonas Stein was eager to get the 200GP

race started after his CB160 win earlier. He jumped out to a lead, but Joe Koury was able to stalk him and just get by at the end for a narrow victory. They traded positions a few times but Koury took advantage of a Jonas bobble in the farmhouse turn and made his final pass. Stein’s engine would hiccup off the start in turn two during Saturday’s race so Koury slipped away for another podium top spot. But all this Race Seven action was put on hold during the warm-up lap. A red flag appeared as the last of the riders circled the track. What the…? A combine (1989 Case IH 79R Craig Light SOT2, 22 Phillip A. Johnson Next Gen Superbike 2 the back straight. It was kickin’ up some dust, enough to find Race five was a Sound of Thunder 3 nail biter with Kevin its way into a carburetor, but not enough to impair vision. The Greimel (Harley-Davidson XR1200) crossing the line first combine was too close to the track. We all chuckled and waited over Steve DeCamp (Suzuki SV650) by 0.2 seconds and Caleb until it reached the other side of the field to get the GO sign. Baker (1.2 seconds). Sunday it was DeCamp by 0.1 over Clint Austin won the Sound of Thunder 2 race on Saturday, Greimel with Paul Canale a couple ticks back in third. Mark with Pete Tenhoopen and Paul Canale in tow. Pete returned Morrow (1976 Yamaha RD400) led Brad Phillips (1972 BMW the favor the following day, getting to the

Jerry Duke on his Ducati 350 Scrambler. Jerry gave 22T Pete Tenhoopen and 4X Ervin Kollek dicing in Formula Thunder Stuart all he could deal with on Sunday finishing second by just finish 2.4 seconds quicker than Austin for the win. Dave Frick under a second. Duke’s Duc makes some impressive power for mastered Saturday’s Sound of Singles 2 thumpathon with a single. All three make impressive mechanical music. Stuart Carter (KTM450) and Matt Fisher (KTM RC 390)

Scott Billings (Ducati Paul Smart) won both days over Paul in a close race to the line for second spot; Stuart getting there Canale (BMW R nineT) in the Battle of the Twins 1 races. first. Defending champ, Clint Austin, won the Thruxton Cup of motorbikes. Ralph Staropoli (2005 9 Colton Roberts, 123 Jonas Stein fighting for first place in Formula 125

8250R) was cutting dry cornstalks near the exit of turn five onto

Start of Race 11 on Sunday. X95 Andrew Mauk, 92R William Brian Wells, 92S Shawn Smith and 224X Bill Howard all in the Next Gen Superbike Lightweight class with SOS1 rider, Kevin Greimel

Dale Lavender/Milan Lavender, 14 Peter Essaff/Terri Korn

Z7 Jerry Duke 500 Premier, Scott Turner Sportsman 500

Challenge but there was some activity to note a few seconds back as Eugene Casciaro and Paul Canale fought, neckand-neck, for runner-up. Eugene prevailed.

Andrew Mauk (Keith Leighty-built Honda VF500F) was the victor in Saturday’s Next Gen Superbike Lightweight race, but lurking in the shadows were Shawn Smith (Kawasaki EX500), Bill Howard (Honda NT650) and William Brian Wells (Honda VFR400R). The Smith Howard duel heated up and lasted to the end. Howard snuck under Smith on the last lap in the farmhouse turn but they had been lapped by a rider in a different class so the results were taken from the previous lap.

David Kaufman (Matchless G12) and Bill Gould Jr. took their fight all the way to the end of the Classic Sixties 650 race behind the winner, Stan Keyes (Triton 659), on Sunday. The Novice Historic Production Heavyweight race was a five-second victory for Tim Terrell (Honda CL350) over Shawn Gilmore (Yamaha RD350) and Lloyd Mason (Yamaha RD350) on day one. Sunday was a fun day for Tim and Shawn with Gilmore edging Terrell out at the finish line by less than a second. Photo by: Joe W. Koury Shawn and his wife, Cassie, were all smiles after that one.

Mark and Eileen Morrow were our neighbors for the first time ever. Mark’s RD slung a piston skirt; Joe and I offered some assistance. I hadn’t worked on a two-stroke in a while. Almost made me want to give up cam chains and valves, Christopher Spargo. Almost.

The effects of the pandemic were still evident. Social distancing and facial protection, while ongoing, were somewhat relaxed. As I type all this, I am safely past the anxious-to-end 14-day period without a symptom and hope everyone else can say the same. The AHRMA staff and volunteers who make this all possible deserve more thanks than I can string together with a few words. We appreciate your dedication and hard work.

Richard Harris (track owner) Formula Thunder

Keepin' it light, keepin' it fun, the tutu crew will show you how it's done! TUTU Crew

BY: Michelle Le Clear-Fisher

What's with the TuTus?

Since many have asked that very question, here's a brief history on the “TuTu story"

When in New Orleans for the AHRMA races last year, Kirk and I were wandering through the French Quarter sightseeing and souvenir shopping when through a window I spotted a yellow, purple and green glitter-covered TuTu. For some reason it made me laugh out loud. Just silly and fun. Kirk pulled me inside, saying we had to buy it since it tickled me so much, and it would be hilarious at pit in. We also got beads to Tony, Lori, Lois, Terry, (John), Sue, Michelle, Marcia, Kirk match. We were working with Frank and Benita Basile, and when Frank took a turn wearing it, twirling and leaping during hot tech, it definitely created a joyful atmosphere. Nick Hargis took a turn wearing it as a holder in the CB160 race. We had a blast. The glitter however... we're still finding it in our truck. Fast forward to the next race and I am repeatedly being asked, "Where's your TuTu?" Tony Pentecost requested it make an appearance at the next race. Tony. Requested. Strongly.

So, when we return home, I hit eBay, find materials, and make a few in different colors—minus the glitter. I wear one, Kirk, Frank, Benita and Terry Humphries join the "crew." It has grown, and I hope it continues to. The race directors have Frank (New Orleans) supported it and in fact actively participated in expanding the ranks. It's taken on a life of its own. Further testament to the joy that is inherent in so many of the AHRMA family. We added Michelle banners, arm band tutus, and "official membership credentials" at (Barber) Barber. I make them in five sizes. What started as a moment of silliness has become an effort to remind everyone to have FUN. Sometimes it can get a bit too serious and suck the joy out, for racers and officials alike. Our aim is to just lighten the mood and bring smiles. After all, as our motto states, "If it's not fun, why would you do it?" There have been a few criticisms... those are the people who need this the most. All photos are by me or Kirk Fisher except the group shot, which was Frank Basile.

Tony (Gingerman) Faynisha (Barber)

Rosco (Barber)

Ed (CMP)

2020 Redwood Engineering/Race Tech AHRMA National Vintage & Post Vintage Motocross Series

Diamond Don and Francene Photo by: Kenny Lau – Awesome Shots

DIAMOND

Riverport AHRMA National Race Report September 12-13, 2020 By: Albert Newmann The longing for many of us to hear the sound of motorcycles racing, smell the two-stroke oil in the air, and gather amongst friends felt long overdue. With some interspersed racing in 2020, we have yet to have that one big race that roared and provide an adrenaline-rushed atmosphere. Welcome to “Diamond Don’s” 18th Annual AHRMA Riverport National! Finally, the postponed date was upon us and with a turnout of 637 entries over the course of the weekend of off-road vintage motorcycle racing, a moment of normalcy returned and it was impossible to deny the excitement of those in attendance. The surrounding Spanish moss-laced big cypress trees and cilantro green bayou had a special effervescent look about them possibly ignored in the past but not this year.

Saturday morning the Redwood Engineering-sponsored Vintage Motocross program went off without a hitch. Race one started this year with a mixture of Novice classes and our Classic 500 Intermediates.

Tom Shackleford leading John McCullough in the From the gate drop for

Vintage 50+ Novice class the Intermediate group

Photo by: Bobby Hedge it was Tommy Gates of Junction City, AR, working his way to a nice lead over the pack each moto and the eventual win. AJS rider, Kenneth Jeter, finished second overall and Wes Wyman third as the two exchanged positions each moto. Newcomer Blake Keller of Austin, TX, lead all the Novice classes, end-to-end, winning the Sportsman 250 class. One of the premier races of the day is the 50+ Expert and

Diamond Don and Francene Photo by: Kenny Lau – Awesome Shots

DON'S

Joel White on a CR480R in 40+ Expert Photo by: Bobby Hedge

Intermediate gate. Trey Jorski was in attendance and to nobody’s surprise, it was Jorski with holeshots each moto and the Expert win. However, the Intermediate class was a little different.

Bill Hester of Springfield, TN, found himself running above all the other experts on the gate to take second overall in moto one. But in the second moto, Robert Boyer did the same to finish second overall above the remaining experts, and with his 2-1 finish, Boyer edged out Hester for the win. Today’s highlight, Race four, featured the Vintage 60+ Experts. Our honored Legend for the weekend, Gary Semics, was aboard a finely tuned 1975 Kawasaki KX400 on loan from Kawasaki guru, Tony Moseley. It was not going to be a cakewalk for Semics though as Trey Jorski, Kevin O’Brien, Chet Malito, Dennis Murphy, Rhett Smith, Danny Wirt, Greg Gordon and others were on the line. Many ex-National AHRMA champions made this the featured race. As expected, it was Trey Jorski with another holeshot, but on his rear fender was CZ-mounted Danny Wirt. Wirt fell though, late in lap one, and Semics was making his move toward the top of the pack. Lap two, Jorski goes down and it is Semics to the lead. Jorski made a hard run to catch Semics but could not make the pass. Wirt also managed to lap-by-lap work his way within distance of the leaders but fell short this moto. The second moto was nearly the same story with a Jorski holeshot, but an inspired Rhett Smith gave chase from the start and fended off the challenge from Wirt and Semics. The Wirt and Semics battle for third was intense as the two made several passes on each other. The overall went to Jorski with a 2-1 finish, Semics finished second with a 1-4, Wirt’s steady 3-3 secured third place, and it was Dennis Murphy’s consistent 5-5 to earn him fourth overall in this action-packed race.

MX

The ever hotly contested 70+ Expert Vintage class in the South-Central region again did not disappoint as Billy Click of Willis, TX, patiently waited to pass multi-national champion Skip Kennedy on lap three of the first moto. In race two, Click makes the move on lap two to move to the lead and the overall. Respectively, it was John Gott finishing third and Loyd Morgan fourth overall in what was one of the best races of the day (consistently from venue to venue) for all to watch. The fastest race of the program belonged to Race seven which had Sportsman 250 and 500 Experts combined on one gate. North Texas’s Brandon Glenn, aboard his 1974 Honda CR250, was setting incredible lap times over a very fast group of racers both young and old. Youngster Parker Jones of Apple Valley, CA, put on an amazing ride to fend off another youngster, Tyler Reed, in moto one but it was Reed following Glenn to pass Jones in moto two early on to take the overall in the 500 Expert

Gary Semics 60+ Expert on a '75 KX400 Photo by: Bobby Hedge

group. Glenn was your winner of the 250 group with Kyle Kyzer earning second place and John Moeller of Monroe, LA, finishing third. Past national champion, Kevin O’Brien, took third overall behind Reed and Jones for the 500 class.

The largest class of the day was Vintage 60+ Intermediate which had 17 racers line up on the gate. The pride of Fluvanna, TX, Eddie Parks, pulled the holeshot in moto one and held off the challenges from long-time fast rider Troy Rapp, and Kyle Kyzer to win moto one. In moto two, Chris Dublin, of San Angelo, TX, tucked in behind the holeshot of Troy Rapp with Parks on his fender. On lap three, Parks makes the pass on both riders though Dublin kept the pressure on Parks to make a pass on the final lap. The winner with a 1-2 was Eddie Parks, Troy Rapp’s 2-3 earned him second overall and Dublin’s 5-1 finish landed a third-place trophy for his mantle.

Race 11 was shaping up to be a great battle for the

Sportsman 125 Expert group as Tim Wilkinson from Moore, OK, on the borrowed “Bumble Bee” CR125 Honda, jumped to the lead of moto one over the very fast small bore pilot, Dennis Murphy, of Atlantic, IA. Murphy worked his way around Wilkinson on lap three to finish first in the moto. A flat tire kept Wilkinson from lining up for the second moto and it was Murphy left to battle with the incredibly fast Devon Long of New Orleans, LA. Murphy takes the overall with Jim Marchbank finishing second and the Bubba Dennispiloted Yamamaico taking third. Darel Parsons added another Intermediate first place trophy to his collection this year and it was Mike Bickley’s 3-2 edging out Kent Hanson’s 2-4 finish to take second.

The Vintage Motocross racing was great and the feedback circulating around the pits was how much better the dirt was this year than previous. Saturday night many of the racers

Diamond Don's Race Team (left to right): John Gott, Chris Richardson, Gary Semics, event legend, Wes Willis, Francene Rainey, Diamond Don Rainey, Gary Davis, Sharon Bean, Bob Bean, Skip Kennedy, Chicago Jerry Grakauskas Photo by: Bobby Hedge

headed into Jefferson for dinner or were found grilling and frying southern cuisine. The weather held up on the day with a slight sprinkle of rain, which is normal for East Texas at this time of year. Sunday’s racing was shaping up to be great.

Sunday morning’s Race Tech Post Vintage Motocross Series kicked off with an amazing display of speed. The Grand Prix 250 Intermediate and Expert groups were in moto one and with the gate drop for the Experts it was Yamaha-mounted Quincy

Stewart of Mustang, OK, off to a fast start dominating each moto, but the racing behind him was intense. Tyler Reed and Matt Moseley put on a good showing and intermediate Steve

Blakely creeped into the mix of the top four of the group. Stewart’s 1-1 finish won the Expert grouping, and it was Blakely’s 1-1 to win the

Intermediate group.

Gary Semics Railing a '79 KX250 in Post Vintage Photo by: Bobby Hedge

Race two was equally as fast as Brandon Glenn put on a clinic riding his Honda CR480 in the Ultima 500 Expert class. Joshua and Christopher Martin, of North Texas, led the fast group of Pre-Modern 250 Experts with Joshua edging out Christopher for the overall. Youngster vs. Oldster was the theme of the Ultima 125 Expert class as Darren Terry and Race Davis went to battle and this time it was the elder Terry going 1-1 to win the class.

Race three was thrilling as it pitted the Post Vintage 60+ Experts against each other as well as the lone 40+ Expert, Joel White, of Ponchatoula, LA. Gary Semics, riding Tony Moseley’s 1979 KX250 in Post Vintage action, again found him against the familiar company of Rhett Smith, Dennis Murphy, Trey Jorski, Greg Gordon, and newcomer to AHRMA, Rick Van Diemen, amongst others. Today it was Semics and Joel White leading into the first turn together with White aggressively pulling to the top of the pack. Immediately behind Semics were Rhett Smith, Dennis Murphy, and Van Diemen. Jorski was nowhere to be found. By lap four, Murphy and Van Diemen passed Smith to take over second and third place in the

60+ group. Moto two found a different story as it was Jorski

back to form with a holeshot and leading the pack until the a 1-2 finish to win the Ultima 125 Intermediates and it was third lap when White made the pass. Semics and Jorksi battled Richard Freund winning the Ultima 500 Intermediate class. for first place in their class and it was Jorski taking the second Oh, the shootout races! This year, in addition to the annual moto win. However, Semics’ 1-2 earned the former 500cc 100cc “Battle on the Bayou,” it was the “Texas Thumper Supercross title winner the top spot in this heated battle with Throwdown” featuring a growing number of XR200 racers. Smith, finishing second and Murphy third overall. Our local legend and international superstar, Trampas Parker,

Race 11 was interesting as we had our Grand Prix 500 won both feature races! Intermediate and Post Vintage 70+ Experts running dual gates. Our legend for the weekend, Gary Semics, was a pleasure The first moto saw Brian Oakley jump to an early lead and fast ride to outpace Bill Schutt and Chris Ingram. The second moto was a different story as Schutt made the pass on lap two around Oakley, and then Ingram followed behind moving Oakley to third. Schutt took the win with a 2-1 finish. The 70+ Expert class saw Wes Willis jump to the top of the pack each moto to hold off Skip Kennedy’s challenge as well as newcomer, Ruben Martin.

Race 14 was one of the large Novice gates which had Mitchell Stewart of Mustang, OK, jump to the top of the pack each moto to lead all the novices with an eventual victory in the Ultima 250 class. Ultima 125 Novice had Billy Murphy take a 1-1 overall over Brad Fortinberry, and it was Dave Wessling winning the Ultima 500 class over perennial champion, Michael Welden.

To end, there was a varied group of Intermediate classes with one Expert class in Race 17. It was Roger Harris and Bill Hester dominating the Historic 250 Intermediates and Jason Elder working through the pack to take the top finishing spot in the Ultima 125. The second moto saw Harris lead the pack wire-to-wire. Harris’s 2-1 gained him the overall in the Historic 250 Intermediate over Bill Hester. Jason Elder took Heath Abbott Jeff Ackler James Adams Milam Akin Gary Alsop Sr. David Anderson to hang out with and stated how great a time he had. Gary Davis Vintage Sportsman 500 Intermediate Yamaha YZ360 Photo by: Bobby Hedge He is in superb shape and Tony Moseley said the big adjustment for the bikes he raced was taking the suspension down from a 210 lb. rider to a 142 lb. rider. But once adjusted, Semics was happy with everything else and said he felt like a factory racer on this weekend! As mentioned earlier, everyone was complimentary of the dirt and how well the track held up for this

Crowd hanging at the Riverport National

Photo by: Bobby Hedge

weekend. Don Rainey commented the dirt work crew added a mixture of river sand and saw dust into the track over the last year and worked it in. It was work that was well appreciated. The track featured some new changes with some switchbacks and slight off camber turns which added to the lap times but also challenged the racers. Improvements to the facility were noticeable; the Raineys are always making upgrades. Plans are underway for a new shower facility for the racers and continued work on the track. Next year look for a feature with Trials and non-racing activities for everyone to enjoy. Yes Don, we are

RIDER

ROLL CALL! Were you there?

Bruce Adams Michael Alf Brian Aliff Brian Allie Steve Allen having fun! Gary Anderson Troy Anderson Charles Armstrong William Averill Barry Aymond Dal Aymond James Bailey Pat Bailey Jerry Barbee Ray Barrow Bob Bean Butch Behm Gayland Bennett Chance Berg John Berryman Mike Bickley Robert Birgel Adrian Blackmon Chance Blackwell James Blackwood Jeff Blackwood Brooks Blair Steve Blakely Tray Blanchard Derek Borg Reed Borgfield Tim Borgfield John Bowman Robert Boyer Christopher Breaux Ben Brown Gary T. Broyles Chris Burchfield

Amy and Don

My First Experience with the

AHRMA Off-road Community

Diamond Don's in Jefferson, Texas, is the most amazing setting for an off-road event or any event for that matter. As I drove towards the racetrack, I saw big signs with MX on them, so I knew I was headed in the right direction. There were flags waving, banners flying and a motorcycle perched up on a post at the main gate. You get the feeling that you are really in for a good time when you see the entrance. As I approached the main gate, I see to my right a large field with the first signs of a racetrack. It's the back of BIG AIR and the front of the PANTY DROP, both big jumps on the motocross track. (Drop your drawers is what I called it because I couldn't think of the correct name while talking to Don. He said, "I might have to change the name of that jump, I like that better.”)

After getting my wristband, I headed in to see what all the fanfare was about. I was there early so it wasn't full, but the trucks and trailers were pulling in and Amy@ Diamond Don's Experiencing AHRMA's Off-Road Community

Diamond Don

finding their spots around the bountiful countryside. The people were immediately friendly, welcoming, and very hospitable. I met my hostess, Francene, and host, Diamond Don. They are a dynamic duo who are always striving to make the event the best it can be. To say they are a busy couple would be very understated; answering questions, solving problems, and making people feel welcome is what they do. I am super excited that these two are my hosts. It's obvious to me at this time why it's a big deal is to go racing at Diamond Don’s. AHRMA is known to have an outstanding group of like-minded people who enjoy themselves no matter where they are, and this was no exception. I was introduced around at the pavilion which is a huge area that was used for registration, tech, awards, eating, drinking (open bar, rum bar, kegs, ALL FREE with wristband, oh my) and a fantastic viewing area for the races. The next day the place was packed, and the racing began. I was with Rebecca Cunningham (multi-award-winning videographer), who was doing some live streaming on different platforms for AHRMA. She also did interviews with the Legends in attendance at Diamond Don’s race for 2020 (he showcases a different racing Legend every year. This year: Gary Semics.) We were treated to a first-hand tour of the facility by Curt Comer (AHRMA'S Executive Director and diehard off-road enthusiast). It was during this time that I saw how much work goes into building these offroad venues. It takes a lot of time to put this many details into a course that stretches through the woods, over a bayou (with alligators), railroad tracks, and other "obstacles." Once again, I'm thoroughly impressed with this place and know it's going to be a great weekend. The schedule for the races is set up so that you can be in every discipline if you wanted to, therefore it's great for the spectators because they start at different times. I love this part because I didn't miss watching and learning about each one. The weekend's weather was very warm, sunny, and gorgeous. Friday evening, we had the pleasure of going on a "walk through the pits with Albert Newmann" and his beautiful wife, Judy. Albert is an AHRMA Trustee and local off-road Regional Coordinator. This was one of the highlights of the weekend. We met Bubba, Allen, and Doc first; we heard

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