AHRMA Roadracing – Inaugural AHRMA Vintage Cup featuring 350GP
ELORA, TN, August 5, 2019 – Over the past two weekends, the AHRMA Vintage Cup series featuring the 350GP class, sponsored by NYC Norton and Roadracing World Magazine (RoadracingWorld.com) took place at Road America (rounds 13-14) and Gingerman Raceway (rounds 15-16).
Having won both rounds at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka Kansas, Alex McLean came into the Road America race weekend with a 2000+ point lead (Editorial Note: 1 race win = 1,000 points) over Dave Roper, with Jim Korn second. Jack Parker joined the competition, racing his 1968 Yamaha DT250. Both days showed Roper and McLean similarly matched in talent and power, with Roper taking the checkered flag in front of McLean on Saturday and McLean getting the job done on Sunday. Jack took 3rd, and admitted that at Road America, being down on power with his 250, he can’t use his late braking skills to his advantage due to the long straights that RA is known for.
(Above) Alex McLean (122) is chased by Dave Roper (7), David Miller (69), and Scott Turner (334) at Gingerman Raceway. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy of AHRMA.
Gingerman Raceway brought Francis Ganance on his 1966 Ducati Mark 3 to the grid. The weekend took much the same shape as Road America. McLean took the lead at the start on Saturday, but on lap 3 missed a shift and gave Roper the opportunity he was looking for. McLean was unable to retake the lead and Roper took the win with McLean in second. On Sunday, McLean was took and kept the lead from beginning to end, taking the checkered flag with a considerable lead over Roper.
With McLean still leading in points, AHRMA next heads to Buttonwillow Raceway, in Buttonwillow, California for rounds 17 & 18.
From NYC Norton sponsor Kenny Cummings: “As we come out of Gingerman, one thing that has become apparent is that McLean and Roper are dominating this series. None the less, some competitive 350GP riders such as Jack Parker, and Frances Ganance have joined the fray enhancing an already exciting field. All of these races, whether you are watching the lead contenders or a race within the race, are truly nail-biters. Next stop, California, Buttonwillow in two weeks. We then go to Utah, Talledega, culminating with the big finale at Barber Vintage Festival, October 5-7, where this series will be decided, making this a true nationwide American Vintage Grand Prix series.”
Saturday, Round 13 Road America
1. Dave Roper (1970 H-D Aermacchi 350)
2. Alex McLean (1967 H-D Aermacchi Drixton 350)
3. Jack Parker (1968 Yamaha DT 250)
4. Jim Korn (1967 Kawasaki A1)
5. Tim O’Donnell (1969 Ducati MK3 350)
6. Nathan Kult (1967 Honda CB77)
Sunday, Round 14 Road America
1. Alex McLean (1967 H-D Aermacchi Drixton 350)
2. Dave Roper (1970 H-D Aermacchi 350)
3. Jack Parker (1968 Yamaha DT 250)
4. Nathan Kult (1967 Honda CB77)
Saturday, Round 15 Gingerman Raceway
1. David Roper (1970 H-D Aermacchi 350)
2. Alex McLean (1967 H-D Aermacchi Drixton 350)
3. Francis Ganance (1966 Ducati MK3)
4. John Stephens (1970 Ducati 250)
5. Tim O’Donnell (1969 Ducati MK3 350)
6. James Korn (1967 Kawasaki A1)
Sunday Round 16 Gingerman Raceway
1. Alex McLean (1967 H-D Aermacchi Drixton 350)
2. David Roper (1970 H-D Aermacchi 350)
3. Francis Ganance (1966 Ducati MK 3)
4. John Stephens (1970 Ducati 250)
5. James Korn (1967 Kawasaki A1)