Classic big-bore GP bikes featured class for AHRMA
(Elora, Tennessee) A Golden Age of Grand Prix motorcycle racing will be the focus of the 2021 American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) National Historic Cup Road Race Series.
“Not content with merely racing at the finest circuits nationwide, AHRMA is giving a big boost to big bikes from the 1960s by making our 500 Premier Grand Prix class the featured class for 2021,” said Arthur Kowitz, chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees.
Competitors in the 500 Premier class will be racing not only for a class championship but also to win the 2021 AHRMA Vintage Cup. “The AHRMA Vintage Cup is our annual featured class that includes enhanced awards, press coverage and opportunities for team and rider exposure,” said Alex Mock, AHRMA Roadrace Director.
500 Premier is sponsored by NYC Norton and RoadracingWorld.com. The class is open to Grand Prix-type motorcycles displacing up to 500cc and produced through 1968. It showcased storied Grand Prix motorcycles from the post-war era, including the Manx Norton, Matchless G50, BSA Goldstar, Benelli Four and MV Agusta triples.
“500 Premier was one of the first racing classes created when AHRMA was formed and is still one of the most competitive vintage road racing classes on our current schedule,” said Kenny Cummings, owner of NYC Norton. “There is nothing comparable to the sight and sound of a 500cc big single roaring past the crowd on the front straight at 8k rpm.”
Cummings explained that many motorcycles eligible to compete in 500 Premier are considered too valuable for their natural environment – the racetrack. “We’d like to encourage anyone who might have a Premier-era machine to bring it back out to race with us in 2021,” Cummings said. “And if you’re not up to speed, then put the fastest ‘kid’ you know on your beloved machine and let it live.”
Notable professional and privateer racers including World Champion Kevin Schwantz, Peter Politiek, Pat Mooney and Tim Joyce have each competed in the 500 Premier class.
The enhanced awards for the 2021 Vintage Cup series will be presented separately from other class trophies during the awards ceremony at each AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadrace event. Highlights from each 500 Premier race will be reported in RoadracingWorld.com’s online edition. At the conclusion of the 2021 season, the perpetual Vintage Cup trophy will be engraved with the national champion winner’s name and presented to the winner to keep for one year.
Select AHRMA events during 2021 will feature multiple on and off-road competition disciplines including: road racing, motocross, flat track, observed trials and cross country, all at the same venue. These AHRMA Classic MotoFest multi-discipline events will take place at Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka, Kansas; Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California; and at the 2021 Barber Vintage Festival held at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.
“Multi-discipline events always draw strong participation, as many AHRMA members cross over into other two-wheeled competitions, which is a draw not only for rider participation but for fans as well,” said Curtis Comer, AHRMA Executive Director.
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.
