McLean Does the Double During AHRMA 2024 Vintage Cup at Nelson Ledges
(Knoxville, TN) Old bikes plus a classic track equaled great racing in the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s (AHRMA) 2024 Vintage Cup during the Memorial Day weekend.
Rounds eight and nine of AHRMA’s 2024 Vintage Cup series, which highlights its 350 GP class, were held May 25 and 26 at Nelson Ledges Road Course in Garrettsville, OH as part of the 2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series.
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.
In Saturday’s race Alex McLean, on Rob McKeever’s 1967 Drixton Aermacchi had an excellent start, taking the lead immediately. McLean led for the duration and took the checkered flag unchallenged. Eric Watts was second on his 1972 Ducati 350, with his uncle, Larry Watts, on a 1968 Ducati 350, coming in third.
The balance of the grid in order of finish included: Jim Jowers, riding a 1960 AJS 7R, and David Roper on a 1962 AJS 7R.
McLean’s performance Sunday was a repeat of Saturday, leading into turn one and increasing that lead each lap until taking the checkered flag.
Eric Watts was in second when he had a mechanical on lap two forcing him to retire which left Larry Watts and Roper battling for second. Roper overtook Watts and was able to take the checkered in second with Watts in third. Jowers was fourth and Eric Watts fifth.
“I was pleased to pass over the elusive Vintage Cup trophy to fast guy Alex McLean after pulling off quite an impressive victory on Saturday on his short stroke Aermacchi,” Said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton. “On Sunday Alex did the double, putting in even faster lap times, and getting the win again.”
“You only need to attend one ARHMA event to realize these are more than just motorcycle races and with more than just racers, said Greg Tomlinson, 2024 Chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees. “Eric and Larry Watts on the track together at Nelson Ledges is proof positive that ARHMA is a family, and our races are family reunions with really cool motorcycles.”
Cummings agreed, “It’s wonderful to see Eric and Larry Watts, nephew and uncle, up on the podium for second and third on Saturday, with Dave Roper getting second step on his AJS 7R, with Larry Watts again on the third step for Sunday. We’ll bring this big show to NJMP in a few weeks, another fast and flowing racetrack where corner speed is king and let these 350GP bikes shine!”
Rounds ten and eleven of the AHRMA National Road Race Series will be June 21-23 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ.
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 – 122 Alex McLean, 1967 Drixton Aermacchi, Jacksonville Beach, FL
2 – 87 Eric Watts, 1972 Ducati 350, Blacklick, OH
3 – 141 Larry Watts, 1968 Ducati 350, Blacklick, OH
4 – 37 Jim Jowers, 1960 AJS 7R, East Hampton, NY
5 – 7 David Roper, 1962 AJS 7R, Hicksville, NY
Sunday, May 12, 2024
1 – 122 Alex McLean, 1967 Drixton Aermacchi, Jacksonville Beach, FL
2 – 7 David Roper, 1962 AJS 7R, Hicksville, NY
3 – 141 Larry Watts, 1968 Ducati 350, Blacklick, OH
4 – 37 Jim Jowers, 1960 AJS 7R, East Hampton, NY
5 – 87 Eric Watts, 1972 Ducati 350, Blacklick, OH
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.
