Team Obsolete’s Rob Iannucci has sent the following proposal to various clubs, magazines, and tuners interested in Vintage racing. The proposal’s complete text follows:

“A Modest Proposal To Rationalize Classic Racing Eligibility:

“Classic racing is now two decades old. When we began, most 350 and 500 four-stroke machines were genuine originals. Today most such machines are replicas, many with more powerful short-stroke motors and greatly reduced overall weight. The genuine original machines have been forced out by unrestricted development.

“Perhaps our sport is now mature enough to welcome back the original machines (call them Classics) to race in a separate class alongside the replicas (call them Evolution machines or Evos). Two-wave starts would be the norm.

“What would be the eligibilty criteria for the Classics? Let’s keep it simple to avoid scrutineering hassles: Thoroughbred TT, Grand Prix, and Short Circuit racers, 1968 and earlier, period drum brakes, standard brakes, standard bore (0.040 overbore?)/standard stroke/valve
angle/motor height, WM 3.00×18/19 rims, maximum five-speed gearbox (waiver for original equipment 6-7 speeds), period type carbs and ignitions. Machine weight would be the same as the originals.

“Replicas of ‘specials’ or of limited production ‘works’ machines would not be permitted, but truly accurate replicas of racing machines that were once in production would be welcomed.

“This could be a win-win situation. The manufacturers of replica machines would have an expanded two-tier market, the genuine machines would return to the fray, older competitors could enjoy more relaxed rides, and the spectators would see closer racing in an expanded format. Nobody loses.

“Team Obsolete would like to continue to race original machines, including our AJS Porcupine, AJS Triple Knocker, and the Arter Singles. Others have said so, too. The time has come now for our sport to revitalize and to preserve an appropriate racing format for such macines.

“Rob Iannucci
Team Obsolete”

Iannucci, who is based in Brooklyn, New York, is a Vintage road racing pioneer and a co-founder of the AHRMA.