Turpin wins AHRMA Vintage Cup again at Gingerman Raceway
(August 1, 2023, Knoxville, TN) Shane Turpin’s double victory has added a twist to the 2023 American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) 2023 Vintage Cup.
Sponsored by Hagerty Insurance, Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2023 Vintage Cup features the Formula 750 (F750) class which includes 750cc two and four-stroke powered machines built up to 1972.
Turpin, sponsored by Larrabure Framing and Vee Two, was competing in the 13th and 14th rounds of the Vintage Cup held on July 29 and 30, 2023 in conjunction with the Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Roadracing series at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI.
Turpin dominated both rounds aboard a 1972 750cc Ducati Imola winning decisively Saturday and Sunday and adding another potential contender to the overall championship race.
“Shane put in another stellar performance on the Ducati, but it’s clear that Tim Joyce and Colton Roberts have no intention of giving in,” said Carl Anderson, AHRMA’s 2023 Chairman of the Board. “And, with Chris Spargo rejoining the fray at Blackhawk, we can look forward to another great race in a few days.”
Turpin’s competition included almost a dozen motorcycles from different manufacturers and designs. His air-cooled, four-stroke, “L” twin was joined on the grid by Joyce on a NYC Norton 1968 Seeley NRE 750, Roberts on a 1976 Yamaha RD400, Tony Read riding his 1973 Triumph Bonneville, Dan May on his 1972 BMW R75/5, and Walt Fulton on a “V” twin-powered Harley-Davidson, among others.
“With Turpin entering the fold at Laguna at a double points weekend and now winning both rounds at Gingerman, the potential for a championship is on the horizon. This strong push by Turpin in the second half of the season makes it exciting for all the players in this premier class as everyone steps up their game.” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton. “The profile of this featured class is as high as it gets in classic racing and I couldn’t be happier as a sponsor”
On Saturday, Joyce took the holeshot with Turpin hot on his tail. Turpin took the lead several turns later, increasing it throughout the race to take the checkered flag with Joyce taking second, and Roberts rounding out the podium.
The remaining field finished as follows: Read took fourth, May, placed fifth, Michael Dixon, riding his Michael Dixon, 1970 Yamaha XS finished sixth, Kevin Dinsmoor, on a 1967 CMR Seeley CB550, took seventh, Matt Esterline, on his 1977 Honda CB, eighth, Fulton nineth and Jeff Hargis finishing tenth on his 1972 Yamaha XS650.
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday as they crossed the checkered flag, but lap times showed that both parties stepped it up. Joyce again got the hole shot with Turpin on his tail. Turpin took the lead by turn 7 and again held it to the checkered flag with Joyce in hot pursuit. Roberts again rounded out the podium in third.
The balance of the field included Hargis in fourth, Reed fifth, Dixon sixth, Fulton seventh, Esterline eighth, and Dave Spanjar riding a 1968 Triumph Bonneville, coming in ninth.
Of special interest was the battle between Dan May, Michael Dixon and Kevin Dinsmoor: a fantastic 3-way battle between three racers who have joined the Vintage Cup competition. These racers bumped up from other classes, proving the Vintage Cup concept draws riders in and adds to the competition.
The annual Vintage Cup spotlights one of AHRMA’s road racing classes with extra attention on competitors in the selected class during each race event. Enhanced awards for the Vintage Cup competitors are presented separately from other class trophies during the Saturday awards ceremony at each AHRMA National Road Race event. Rounds fifteen and sixteen will be run at Blackhawk Farms in South Beloit, IL, August 5-6, 2023.
Highlights from each Formula 750 race will be reported in RoadracingWorld.com’s online edition. At the conclusion of each season, the perpetual Vintage Cup trophy will be engraved with the national champion winner’s name and presented to the winner at the National Awards Banquet to keep for one year.
2023 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series, Formula 750 – Vintage Cup Results
Saturday, July 15, 2023
1. Shane Turpin, 1972 Ducati Imola, Scottsdale, AZ
2. Tim Joyce, 1968 Seeley NRE 750, Springfield, VT
3. Colton Roberts, 1976 Yamaha RD400, Pawnee, IL
4. Tony Read, 1973 Triumph Bonneville, Charlotte, TN
5. Daniel May, 1972 BMW R75/5, Wilmette, IL
6. Michael Dixon, 1970 Yamaha XS, Wataga, IL
7. Kevin Dinsmoor, 1967 CMR Seeley CB550, Colchester, CT
8. Matt Esterline, 1977 Honda CB750, Portage, MI
9. Walt Fulton, 1972 Harley Davidson XR750, Montrose, CO
10. Jeff Hargis, 1972 Yamaha XS650, Battle Creek, MI
Sunday, July 16, 2023
1. Shane Turpin, 1972 Ducati Imola, Scottsdale, AZ
2. Tim Joyce, 1968 Seeley NRE 750, Springfield, VT
3. Colton Roberts, 1976 Yamaha RD400, Pawnee, IL
4. Jeff Hargis, 1972 Yamaha XS650, Battle Creek, MI
5. Tony Read, 1973 Triumph Bonneville ,Charlotte, TN
6. Michael Dixon, 1970 Yamaha XS, Wataga, IL
7. Walt Fulton, 1972 Harley Davidson XR750, Montrose, CO
8. Matt Esterline, 1977 Honda CB750, Portage, MI
9. David Spanjar, 1968 Triumph Bonneville, West Bend, WI
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With over 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.
