AHRMA Brings “Baggers” to Willow Springs
(April 13, 2021, Elora, Tennessee) “Bagged” sport-touring cruisers will be in the spotlight during the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) 2021 Bridgestone National Historic Cup Road Race Series events at Willow Springs International Raceway during April, 2021.
“Baggers” are Harley-Davidson or Indian motorcycles with saddlebags mounted near the rear-wheel. In many motorcycle scenes, these bikes are referred to as “baggers.” The Bagger Racing League (BRL) sanctions “Bagger” competitions at road racing events throughout the United States.
The BRL rules allow for a variety of modifications to make the big bikes safe and competitive on a road racing track. However, all bikes must have the characteristic front fairings and hard-sided saddlebags.
The Baggers will join the rest of the AHRMA road racing program April 16-18 at the Streets of Willow and April 23-25 at Willow Springs Raceway both in Rosamond, California
Alex Mock, AHRMA’s Road Racing Director, recognized growing interest in this form of “alternative” road racing and selected the “Bagger” class as a Directors Choice event during the back-to-back AHRMA nationals at the Willow Springs tracks.
“With the Bagger Racing League gaining traction, we have been getting lots of requests for licensing. Since we are listed as a BRL approved sanctioned race organization we have made a limited number of entries available,” Mock said. “Bagger racers can take part in the AHRMA Academy of Racing also being held at these events, get their AHRMA racing license and then race with us all in the same weekend.
“We are honored for the Bagger Racing League to gain the support of a legacy race organization like AHRMA.” stated John Oakes with BRL. “Bagger Racing League is attracting a lot of riders to come to the track for the first time or the first time on a Bagger and other V-Twin. With the support of AHRMA we are able to give riders a great environment to get licensed, practice and race.”
“With the rise of performance baggers we’ve seen over the last 5 years, we wanted an event that could help promote those parts that make these bikes so sought after.” said Rob Buydos, Bagger Racing League™ founder.
Mock said, “Making room for the ‘Baggers’ as Director’s Choice classes will really enhance the motorcycle experience as we mix the fastest from the past with a new genre of racing. It’ll be a great showing of how motorcycle racing has evolved over the decades and is continuing to evolve. Plus, ‘Baggers’ are just flat-out, all-American cool and what better place to showcase them for the first time with AHRMA at our 25th Anniversary of the Corsa Moto Classica at Willow Springs!”
The AHRMA “Bagger” events will feature the BRL “Baggers Class” that requires saddlebags and windscreens and the “Super Hooligans” class for lightly-modified street bikes used for Dirt Track racing.
“AHRMA has a tradition of highlighting ‘alternative’ road racing machines that may not find a home with other racing groups, and giving these ‘Baggers’ a place to race is part of our culture,” said Arthur Kowitz, chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees. “One of my AHRMA race bikes is electric so I know first-hand how great it is to have a place to compete on a somewhat odd bike.”
AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and competing on historic motorcycles. With more than 3,000 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.
