Spargo and Roper split AHRMA 2024 Vintage Cup wins at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
(Knoxville, TN) A decisive win and a missed opportunity add a chapter to historic motorcycle racing at a historic track.
On July 20 and 21, the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) brought Rounds 12 and 13 of its 2024 Vintage Cup series to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as part of the 2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series. The 2024 Vintage Cup highlights AHRMA’s 350 GP class.
Christopher Spargo travelled from Minnesota to California in the chase for Vintage Cup championship points. Spargo took the win on Saturday aboard John Turner’s two-stroke 1967 Yamaha TD2 while David Roper racing his custom 1973 Harley-Davidson Aermacchi Sprint took the win on Sunday.
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.
In Saturday’s race Spargo had the hole shot into turn one, maintaining and increasing his lead with the powerful TD2 Yamaha throughout the race to take the checkered flag unchallenged. Meanwhile Roper and Walt Fulton, who was also on a custom 1973 Harley-Davidson Aermacchi Sprint battled for second, Roper ultimately succeeding with Fulton hot on his heels to take third place.
The balance of the grid in order of finish included: Matthew Winiarski, riding a 1968 Ducati 350 Mark 3 and David Rhodes, on his 1966 Yamaha TD1.
“Roper and Fulton put on one of the best races of the day battling for second place, sounding like a synchronized B25 bomber as they climbed the hill toward the famous turn one kink on the front straight of Laguna Seca,” said Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton.
On Sunday, Spargo missed the start of the race, allowing Roper and Fulton to repeat their sonic and visual duel from Saturday putting on a beautiful show of 350GP racing motorcycles with Roper getting the win, Fulton second and Winiarski third. Spargo ultimately made it into the race and clicked off the fastest laps of the weekend, managing to take fourth place and a handful of Vintage Cup championship points.
“it’s a shame Spargo missed the race calls and came out late because judging by his fast times he would have been on top of the box. In any case Roper and Walt did not disappoint and their beautiful Harley-Davidson Aermacchis were substance and style in this beautiful California atmosphere,” shared Kenny Cummings. “This race for the championship is up for grabs and I’m very anxious to see how things play out for AHRMA’s next rounds at Blackhawk Farms, the first weekend of August.”
Greg “GT” Tomlinson, 2024 Chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees said, “Chris Spargo’s lap times proved he was the racer to beat this weekend and while he didn’t take the win on Sunday, it was awesome to see him put his head down, get to work, and try to chase a podium spot, he was a man on fire!”
Rounds 14 and 15 of the AHRMA National Road Race Series will be August 2-4 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL.
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, July 20, 2024
1 – 19 Christopher Spargo, 1967 Yamaha TD2, Hopkins, MN
2 – 7 David Roper, 1970 Harley-Davidson ERTT, Hicksville, NY
3 – 63 Walt Fulton, 1968 Harley Davidson, Montrose, CO
4 – 813 Matthew Winiarski, 1968 Ducati 350 Mark 3, Long Beach, CA
5 – 97L Dave Rhodes, 1966 Yamaha TD1, Columbia, IL
Sunday, July 21, 2024
1 – 7 David Roper, 1970 Harley-Davidson ERTT, Hicksville, NY
2 – 63 Walt Fulton, 1968 Harley Davidson, Montrose, CO
3 – 813 Matthew Winiarski, 1968 Ducati 350 Mark 3, Long Beach, CA
4 – 19 Christopher Spargo, 1967 Yamaha TD2, Hopkins, MN
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.
