Perry Mountain 24hr

Words: James Radcliff & Suzy Moody Photos: Sharon Bean

The Perry Mountain 24-Hour Challenge, or PM24 as some refer to it, is a unique event in which teams race for a full 24 hours in an ironman format. It is one of only a few off-road events in the country that support this 24-hour format. Produced and hosted in Maplesville, Alabama, by the Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club since 2002, the PM24 is truly an amazing and incredibly fun event that takes a huge commitment to complete. AHRMA’s Executive Director, Curt Comer, and Off-Road Director, Tony Paul, thought this would be a great venue to promote the organization, spotlight some of AHMA’s best riders and show how much fun can be had on vintage off-road motorcycles—and the plan was hatched! AHRMA would field very experienced riders on vintage (35-ish-year-old) motorcycles against the best modern hardware and much younger riders to draw attention to how fast and fun AHRMA racing can be. They quickly recruited long-time AHRMA member and former National Enduro rider Craig Hayes as team builder/mechanic to capitalize on his vast knowledge and experience with 1980s Husqvarnas. After many months of hard work, four “race ready” white-frame, twin-shock Husqvarnas emerged from Craig’s shop in Ramsey, IL, and were ready to compete. At the same time, Tony and Curt as team managers put together the AHRMA DREAM TEAM to compete in the “Elite” class at the PM24. And what a team it would prove to be! Riders included: TRAMPAS PARKER, from Okmulgee, OK, on a 1983 Husky 430. Trampas is an AMA Motocross Champion 1985-86 and competed in Motocross World Championships from 1988 to 2004, taking home two world championships during that time. TERRY CUNNINGHAM, from Greenback, TN, riding a 1983 Husky 430 Automatic that he made famous, winning four AMA Grand National Enduro Championships.

Vintage 6 Team L-R: Steve Blakely, Heith Parker, Suzy Moody, Alan Drane, Bob Bean, Kevin Hutchinson

L to R: Bob Bean, Curt Comer, Suzy Moody, Eddie Parks

FRED HOESS, out of Stanhope, NJ, riding a 1983 Husky 250. Fred is a 26-time ISDE starter with 19 ISDE Gold medals. TOMMY VEATOR, from Perry, GA, on a 1983 Husky 250. Tommy is a multiple-time AMA National Enduro Top Finisher. That was some serious talent representing AHRMA’s effort at Perry Mountain for 2021! In the meantime, word was getting out about the event. A second AHRMA team to provide a larger presence for AHRMA while representing the club level or amateur racer was taking shape. It would come to be known as the Vintage 6 Team. Curt Comer and Suzy Moody formed the team and planned to ride together in honor of Suzy’s late husband, Paul Fann, who was also one of Curt’s best friends. Curt was unable to ride due to last minute scheduling problems and Heith Parker picked up the spot. On race day, the team consisted of Bob Bean, Steve Blakley, Alan Drane, Kevin Hutchinson, Suzy Moody and Heith Parker. On Thursday, the teams and volunteer support personnel began showing up at the track to do their part. Tim Hiemstra, an AHRMA racer and quite the wrench, arrived to assist Craig Hayes with race prep and mechanical support on race day for the Dream Team. Becky Hayes was there for most of the race tying up loose ends for any and everyone. Eddie and Diedra Parks arrived with a soon-to-be-emptied race trailer transformed into the team food trailer. The Parks donated the food and beverages for the AHRMA teams, ensuring that all dietary needs were met. Jim and Laura Radcliff were there for support as well, making good use of

Suzy Moody Fred Hoess

Laura’s Mini Cooper for runs into “town” for ice and ice cream. Jim, whose moto background includes providing support at the Dakar Rally, was brought in to support the Dream Team with battery and lighting requirements. That scope grew to include the Vintage 6 Team, so Jim quickly recruited the assistance of Eddie Parks who brought his unquenchable smile and positive attitude to the effort. There are a lot of batteries to change and charge when you have that many riders (both teams) on and off the course many times for 24 hours. Curt Comer arrived just in time for the race. He worked closely with Tony to manage the logistics of getting the riders staged and ready for their individual shifts throughout the race while tracking the progress of both teams. The Dream Team’s Fred Hoess got off to a great start, but we started wondering what was going on when the leaders came around on the first lap with no sign of Fred. Fred’s first lap ended early with a motor seizure about halfway into the 10+ mile course. He showed up in-tow behind a four-wheeler about 1 hour 20 minutes and 8 seconds after the start on a lap that should have been less than 30 minutes. Three laps down and in 97th place meant tensions were high when he got back to the pits. Cooler heads prevailed as experienced racers quickly calmed down noting it is a very long race with many opportunities to make up the lost time. Meanwhile, the Vintage 6 Team was off to a great start and pounded out lap after lap with almost no drama well into the night The next 21 ½ hours were magical to watch as the Dream Team riders regrouped with the mechanics and settled in on riding only three bikes to finish the race with four riders. The whole team was focused, intense and riding with purpose. Trampas and Tony studied the situation and announced they thought we could make it into the top 10. So, by noon we were all focused on doing just that. It was amazing to see the whole team, including the riders’ families and friends, working together to give the riders everything they needed to get the job done. By daybreak, the Dream Team was closing in on 10th place overall and the Vintage 6 team was still delivering consistent lap times running in the top 25 out of 97 teams with modern motorcycles and much younger riders. Competition was fierce for the frontrunners and the intensity remained throughout the early morning. Things for the Vintage 6 changed a little when Bob Bean suffered a hand injury in the early morning hours and was forced to withdraw. The rest of the team never missed a beat and picked it up from there. The Dream Team finished an amazing seventh place overall and second in their class with 50 laps completed. Trampas Parker rode the most laps for the Dream Team with 16 laps while Fred Hoess finished 13 laps and 11 laps each for Terry Cunningham and Tommy Veator. What an amazing effort from the Dream Team, with great results. Terry Cunningham said he thought it was a learning experience for a lot of people. And in the end, it was what most expected, “very long and very tiring” while leaving him smiling at the rewards. One of the most memorable moments came the day after the race as he realized that when he was trying to stand up, his legs just weren’t there for him. He said when he spoke to the rest of the team, he got similar responses. Trampas said he needed a hovercraft to get around, Fred wanted a wheelchair just to get through the airport, and Tommy wondered if his legs would ever be the same. It was at that moment, he said, “I knew the AHRMA Dream Team had left it all on the trail.” Tommy Veator said the PM24 was one of his favorite events and combining the PM24 with his other favorite thing, riding and racing old dirt bikes with three other “really great motorcyclists” was pretty cool. He added, “I’ve always wanted to be part of the factory Husqvarna

team and just show up and ride. I was finally part of that

team, even if it was 38 years later.”

Heith Parker

Trampas Parker Fred Hoess

Alan Drane

Bob Bean Terry Cunningham sneaks a nap

The Vintage 6 Team also turned in some impressive results with a 21st overall and second in the 45+ class completing 44 laps. Each rider stuck to the schedule completing eight laps with Bob Bean completing four before his injury. Again, great results and a stellar effort from each rider. Kevin Hutchinson, who has competed in seven previous 24-hour events said, “Considering the rain, the slick

course, the heat, a vintage motorcycle and a few

more years on my body…” This was by far his most difficult event he can remember. It was exhausting and exhilarating and said, “I was proud to be a part of it.” Suzy Moody said she was moved to be asked to join the team by Curt and to have the opportunity to ride in remembrance of her late husband. “The PM24 is one of

those bucket list things and something that gets in your

blood and you just gotta do it!” Eddie Parks was thrilled to be part of the support crew. He had never participated in an endurance event before and said, “I was amazed as the night wore on we entered

into a dream state of mind, but we just kept pushing onward. I was thrilled to meet the new people and thrilled with our results. It was an adventure I will never

forget.” Diedra Parks said, “I can’t change a tire or repair a clutch,

but I can cook and serve food. Just like the old bikes, the old riders need nourishment too and I was happy to be part of the team. Our bikes may be older just like

most of us but we still have what it takes to be a winner.” And that includes teamwork in the food trailer from supporters such as Shawn Hutchinson, Laura Radcliff and Melissa R. When you consider the technology of today’s modern bikes vs. our decades-old machines, the number of modern teams who finished behind the AHRMA DREAM TEAM and Vintage 6 Team must have been shocking to many at Perry Mountain that weekend. In the words of Jim Radcliff, “I was so impressed with the

level of commitment and sheer intensity in every one of our AHRMA riders. This was a massive effort and great personal experience for me. Both teams were

remarkable in so many ways.” So, at the end of the weekend the vintage bikes and the matching vintage riders with the support of the AHRMA members put together a really great effort with impressive results. Congratulations to AHRMA on a fine showing at the PM24!