Close racing and Cinderella story kicks off AHRMA’s 2021 Featured Class
(February 23, 2021, Elora, Tennessee) Motorcycles that are mostly seen in museums showed they can still deliver on the racetrack during the opening round of the 2021 American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) National Historic Cup Road Race Series February 20-21 at Roebling Road Raceway, near Savannah, Georgia.
“The winner of both 500 Premier races this past weekend is exactly why the Vintage Cup was conceived: to bring out new competition on bikes that were specifically built or from retirement to compete in this class,” said Arthur Kowitz, 2021 Chair of the AHRMA Board of Trustees.
The 500 Premier class was featured on both days of the Roebling Road event. Tony Read, from Charlotte, Tennessee, won both races on a BSA B50 built by Andy Findling, who also raced in the class on a BSA Goldstar.
“Andy built Read’s B50 specifically for the Vintage Cup because of RoadracingWorld.com, NYC Norton and AHRMA putting a spotlight on these incredible bikes, which is exactly what we are going for,” said class sponsor Kenny Cummings from NYC Norton. “Read planned to campaign the B50 in the 2020 Vintage Cup, but because of the COVID outbreak the series was canceled. He took advantage of what remained of the season to dial the bike in.”
There were 12 entries in the 500 Premier during the first day of the event with some racers crossing the country to compete. Their motorcycles included a cross section of championship-level Grand Prix bikes from the 1960s including several Norton Manxes, and Seely-framed Matchless G50s.
Saturday’s race started with Wes Orloff from Mukwonago, Wisconsin aboard a 1967 Honda 450, taking a sizable lead in the first lap with Brian Larrabure, from Calabassas, California on a 1968 Seeley G50, Ron Melton from Port Costa, California on a Manx Norton and Read all beginning to reel him in. The gap between Orloff and the chasing trio closed during each lap. At the halfway point, there was a four-rider battle for the lead.
Larrabure was able to pass Orloff for the lead, but in doing so, opened opportunities for Melton and Read. The lead changed between Melton, Orloff and Larrabure multiple times, while Read sized up the field and waited for an opportunity. That came when Melton left the track which allowed Read to regain the lead and take the win.
Melton and Larrabure were unable to start the race on Sunday which resulted in a showdown between Orloff and Read. The duo swapped the lead several times, with Read ultimately victorious.
“Read’s victory was a Cinderella story and a great way to kick off our 2021 racing season,” said Kowitz.
Cummings added, “I was so happy to be able to present Saturday’s inaugural 500 Premier Vintage Cup trophy to the great underdog, Tony Read, who showed us some style and how to win a race with elegance.”
The 2021 Vintage Cup Trophy will be awarded to the 500 Premier class winner at select events including Roebling Road, Heartland Motorsports Park, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, and Barber Motorsports Park. Race dates and event registration links are available at: ahrma.org/schedules-results.
AHRMA National Historic Cup Road Race Series 500 Premier Results – Saturday, February 20, 2021
- Tony Read, 1971 BSA B50, Charlotte, TN
- Wes Orloff, 1967 Honda 450, Mukwonago, WI
- Brian Larrabure, 1968 Seeley G50, Calabasas, CA
- Jamie Waters, 1961 Matchless McIntyre G50, Brewster, NY
- Jerry Duke, 1967 Ducati 350 Scrambler, Florence, AL
- Andy Findling, 1961 BSA Gold Star, Kalamazoo, MI
- Christian Jensen, 1961 Norton Manx, Fords, NJ
- David Rutherford, 1971 BSA B50, Talking Rock, GA
- Patrick McGraw, 1967 Triumph T100R Daytona, Columbus, NC
- Ron Melton, 1962 Norton Manx, Porta Costa, CA
- Colton Roberts, 1967 Triumph T100, Pawnee, IL
- Chuck Crocco, 1971 BSA B50, Covington, LA
AHRMA National Historic Cup Road Race Series 500 Premier Results – Sunday, February 21, 2021
- Tony Read, 1971 BSA B50, Charlotte, TN
- Wes Orloff, 1967 Honda 450, Mukwonago, WI
- Jerry Duke, 1967 Ducati 350 Scrambler, Florence, AL
- Andy Findling, 1961 BSA Gold Star, Kalamazoo, MI
- Christian Jensen, 1961 Norton Manx, Fords, NJ
- David Rutherford, 1971 BSA B50, Talking Rock, GA
- Jamie Waters, 1961 Matchless McIntyre G50, Brewster, NY
- Ron Melton, 1962 Norton Manx, Porta Costa, CA
AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and competing on historic motorcycles. With over 3000 members, AHRMA is the leading historic motorcycle racing group in North America and one of the largest in the world. The association’s enthusiastic membership reflects this country’s strong interest in classic bikes.
