AHRMA Roadracing Season Opener – Inaugural AHRMA Vintage Cup featuring 350GP
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN – The AHRMA Roadracing season-opener February 23-24 at Roebling Road Raceway, located just outside of Savannah, Georgia, launched the inaugural AHRMA Vintage Cup series featuring the 350GP class, sponsored by NYC Norton and Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine (www.roadracingworld.com).
The race grid consisted of motorcycles piloted by some of the legendary Hollingsworth family, Isle of Man TT race winner David Roper, and defending AHRMA 350GP Champion Alex McLean as part of a five-row grid of vintage racers. AHRMA racers have been preparing their 350GP qualified bikes over the winter for what promises to be an exciting series for 2019, certainly well worth the trip to the remaining rounds.
At the green flag for Race One, Roper jumped into the lead with McLean close behind Roper’s rear wheel entering Turn One. Lap after lap, it looked like McLean would pass Roper in Turn One, but it didn’t happen. McLean came out of Turn Nine on the penultimate lap leading Roper, but in the back section of the track, traffic allowed Roper to repass McLean on the final lap. With head down Roper took the checkered flag first with McLean in second, and Don Hollingsworth grabbing the final podium position.
(Above) Dave Roper (7) leading Alex McLean (122) during Vintage Cup Race One. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy of AHRMA.
Race One Results (Saturday, February 23):
1. Dave Roper (1970 HD Aermacchi 350)
2. Alex McLean (1967 HD Aermacchi Drixton 350)
3. Don Hollingsworth (1973 Aermacchi 350)
4. Jerry Duke (1967 Ducati 350)
5. John Stephens (1970 Ducati 350)
6. Eric Pritchard (1963 Ducati 350)
7. William Dickert, Jr (1968 Ducati 350)
8. John Lawless (1970 MV Augusta 350)
9. Jonathan Hollingsworth (1973 HD Aermacchi 350)
10. Murrae Haynes (1968 Ducati 350)
11. Tim Mings (1962 Honda CB77)
12. Jim Korn (1967 Kawasaki A1)
13. Bill Willmeroth (Ducati 350)
In Sunday’s Race Two, Roper again got the better start with McLean close behind. McLean would have to reel Roper in if he wanted a chance for the win. A family feud took place with Don Hollingsworth and Jonathan Hollingsworth fighting for third.
McLean didn’t wait long to make his move and took the lead from Roper coming out of Turn One at the beginning of lap two. With each passing lap, the gap between McLean and Roper increased. When he took the checkered flag, McLean had a comfortable lead over Roper for the win. Across the finish line it was McLean, Roper and Don Hollingsworth.
(Above) Alex McLean (122) beat Dave Roper (7) to win Vintage Cup Race Two. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy of AHRMA.
Race Two Results (Sunday, February 24):
1. Alex McLean (1967 HD Aermacchi Drixton 350)
2. Dave Roper (1970 HD Aermacchi 350)
3. Don Hollingsworth (1973 HD Aermacchi 350)
4. John Stephens (1970 Ducati 350)
5. Jonathan Hollingsworth (1973 HD Aermacchi 350)
6. Murrae Haynes (1968 Ducati 350)
7. Tim Mings (1962 Honda CB77)
8. Jim Korn (1967 Kawasaki A1)
(Above) Dave Roper (left) and Alex McLean (right). Photo by Ron Melton, courtesy of AHRMA.
AHRMA’s debut of this series was an exciting one, and we are just getting started. So, dust off your classic 350 racebikes and come join the fun. Our full series schedule can be found at www.AHRMA.org.
About AHRMA: The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association is a member-owned nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the sport of historic motorcycle racing. Since 1989, AHRMA has provided an appropriate environment to showcase vintage and alternative modern racing motorcycles in the disciplines of roadracing, motocross, dirt track, trials, and cross country. With more than 3400 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and is one of the world’s leading vintage motorcycle organizations.