Vintage Music Thundered Across Laguna Seca as AHRMA hosted its second Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey
(July 20, 2022, Elora, Tennessee) The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association descended on WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this past weekend hosting their second AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey, July 15-17. Perfect weather greeted racers and fans with a record attendance of 7,000. It was truly the sound of music as over 1,000 total race entries roared across this 522-acre facility.
“I am excited to announce these numbers as AHRMA showcased most of our disciplines over the course of three days! In my opinion, the west coast was treated to the best of what AHRMA has to offer, whether it was bikes ripping it up on the motocross, flat track and cross-country tracks, riding slow and precise in the trials or screaming down the Corkscrew on a vintage or modern road racer,” stated Brian Larrabure, AHRMA’s Chairman of the Board.
Vintage thunder echoed on the legendary Laguna Seca road course as racers maneuvered the famous Corkscrew as part of the 2022 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadracing Series rounds 15 and 16.
AHRMA’s Road Race Director, Dewanna Comer was pleased overall with the weekend’s outcome, “In keeping with our overarching theme this weekend, road racing too offered something for everyone. It was exciting to witness fans with tents in various areas of the track cheering on our full line of bikes. Whether it was the CB160 Le Mans start, our largest grid Sound of Thunder or crowd-favorite Sidecars, these guys and gals put on a show.”
The 4SR/Jemco AHRMA Dirt Track series dirt track was built in the dry lake bed area of the infield for the first time. The old saying, “Build it and they will come.” proved true as riders and fans alike enjoyed the groomed 1/8 mile oval.
Dirt Track Director Richard Brodock stated, “We had the vision and contacted the Salinas Ramblers. Through joint efforts we were able to provide a great racing experience. Entries included a Harley KR750, a BSA Gold Star and several Bultaco Astros. We learned a lot and expect next year to be bigger and better!”
Also being offered for the first time was AHRMA’s Bridgestone Tires Cross Country Series. The course start utilized the vintage motorcycle track and then dropped off into an adjacent canyon providing winding technical hills, dry washes and a purpose-built single track.
AHRMA’s new Off-Road Director, Terry McPhillips, reported, “I was excited to be a part of a great weekend of racing, hats off to our volunteers who helped pull this together!” With an impressive hill-side period correct scrambles style vintage motocross track AHRMA racers didn’t disappoint the fan-lined fence as they each raced to grab the hole-shot with the ultimate goal of being first to the checkered flag.
Spectators were treated to much more than an amazing weekend of historic racing, as the glue that brought the festival together, was affectionately termed the “Fun Zone” and was headed up by Laroque Motorsports. The Friday night 1AHRMA party featured a “Slow Race” sponsored by the California Motorcycle Safety Program. Scott Stewart was wearing a big smile as he received a $250 check for being the slowest rider in one of the most hotly contested races of the weekend! The Hagerty Vintage Motorcycle Bike Show brought museum quality machines along with knowledgeable owners glad to share the history and glamour of these machines. Additionally, the Fun Zone provided access to racing legends during autograph sessions, a July visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, tools to entice and educate the younger crowd with the addition of Strider Bike and the “Mimi and Moto” book characters as well as a vintage motorcycle movie night.
“With a great initial reception by the public and our dedication to constantly improving and growing the festival atmosphere, we are looking forward to spreading the vintage motorcycle gospel to the masses and keeping our passion for the old bikes alive while moving into the next millennium,” stated Maruice Laroque.
If you missed this year’s AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey, we invite you to mark your calendar for 2023 as AHRMA will return next year July 14-16.
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles. With about 3,300 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.
