AHRMA 2024 Vintage Cup 350GP Hall and Spargo split wins again

(Knoxville, TN)  A two-stroke versus four-stroke battle may mark every round of the 2024 AHRMA Vintage Cup.

Rounds six and seven of AHRMA’s 2024 Vintage Cup series, which highlights its 350 GP class, were held May 11 and 12 at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in Munford, AL as part of the 2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series.

Rob Hall, racing a four-stroke 1965 AJS 7R, in a repeat of rounds three and four, split wins with Christopher Spargo, who was aboard a two-stroke 1967 Yamaha TD2 with Hall taking Saturday’s checkered flag, and Spargo taking Sunday’s.

Sponsored by Hagerty Insurance, Roadracingworld.com, and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), AHRMA’s 2024 Vintage Cup features the 350 GP class which includes 350cc four-stroke and 250cc two-stroke powered machines built up to and including 1968.  Featured bikes from this era would include bikes such as the AJS 7R “Boy Racer”, 350 Manx Norton, Benelli 350-Four, Aermacchi 350 Road Racer, Yamaha TD2, and more.  350 GP is a true Grand Prix class from the “golden era” up until the early 1980s and was won by such great racers such as Giacomo Agostini, Jim Redman, Mike Hailwood, John Surtees, and Geoff Duke. 

“It’s a well-worn battle of the 2 and 4 stroke machines. Rob Hall is so good on the brakes and gets his well handling Seeley 7R through the turns like no one’s business. Spargo is always fast, and he has really gelled with this Yamaha TD2 and uses its peaky power wisely.” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton (nycnorton.com).  “I’m happy to see everyone in the 350 GP class out there giving it their all at Little Tally, and particularly happy to see these two consistent front-runners splitting it up and keeping the Vintage Cup as exciting as we could ask for. On to Nelson Ledges in a couple of weeks!”

The start of Saturday’s race saw Hall, on Stu Carter’s 1965 AJS 7R taking the lead for the hole shot through turn one with Spargo on John Turner’s 1967 Yamaha TD2 on his heels. Spargo was able to overtake Hall in turn two of lap four, but he was unable to make it stick, with Hall retaking the lead.  Hall led in a very close race, and towards the end, was able to navigate through back traffic and held on for the win.  Spargo, just a couple of bike lengths behind Hall, took a close second.  David Rhodes, riding a 1966 Yamaha TD1 rounded out the podium.

The balance of the grid in order of finish included: Jerry Duke in fourth on his 1967 Ducati 350 Scrambler, Doug Bowie finishing fifth riding a 1968 Ducati Mach 1, Zeca Pires sixth on a 1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler T10, John Tunstall in seventh on his 1968 Ducati 350, and Craig Light eighth, riding his 1973 Bultaco.

On Sunday, Spargo got the hole shot into turn one.  Hall pulled alongside Spargo several times but never succeeded in overtaking him.   Hall experienced a mechanical failure mid-way through and pulled out of the race.  Spargo took the checkered flag unchallenged.  Behind Spargo, a heated battle between Rhodes and Tunstall was underway. Rhodes took turn one ahead of Tunstall at the start. Tunstall was close behind, keeping the gap narrow passing Rhodes halfway through lap three and led until they passed the white flag.  At that point, Rhodes put his head down and was able to pass Tunstall in the back section, keeping his position through the checkered flag for second place, Tunstall in third.

The balance of the grid, in order of finish was Pires in fourth and Hall finishing in fifth position.

“I’m loving the 2024 Vintage Cup because I love four-strokes and two-strokes,” said Greg Tomlinson, 2024 Chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees. “What I love even more is close, unpredictable racing.  That’s what this series is shaping up to be all about.”

Rounds eight and nine of the AHRMA National Road Race Series will be May 25-26 at Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH.

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. Highlights from each Vintage Cup 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.

2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series, 350GP – Vintage Cup Results

Saturday, May 11, 2024

1 – 270 Rob Hall, 1965 AJS 7R, Charlotte, NC

2 – 19 Christopher Spargo, 1967 Yamaha TD2, Hopkins, MN

3 – 97L Dave Rhodes, 1966 Yamaha TD1, Columbia, IL

4 – 9K Jerry Duke, 1967 Ducati 350 Scrambler, Florence, AL

5 – 350 Doug Bowie, 1968 Ducati Mach 1, Lilburn, GA

6 – 50A Zeca Pires, 1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler T10, Sandy Springs, GA

7 – 36T John Tunstall, 1968 Ducati 350, St. Petersburg, FL

8 – 79A Craig Light, 1973 Bultaco, Peachtree City, GA

Sunday, May 12, 2024

1 – 19 Christopher Spargo, 1967 Yamaha TD2, Hopkins, MN

2 – 97L David Rhodes, 1966 Yamaha TD1, Columbia, IL

3 – 36T John Tunstall, 1968 Ducati 350, St. Petersburg, FL

4 – 50A Zeca Pires, 1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler T10, Sandy Springs, GA

5 – 270 Rob Hall, 1965 AJS 7R, Charlotte, NC

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage 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.