The 3rd Annual Handshift Shootout took place at Barber Motorsports Park this past weekend (October 10-11) in the pouring rain, as bands of Hurricane Delta swept through Birmingham. The races were held towards the end of lunch each day, each race scheduled for 3 laps with the rules set for the racer that scored best on both days would be the winner who would take home the trophy. The trophy is a beautiful sculpture of a handshift bike, and was designed, constructed and donated by artist and AHRMA member Pat Deason, of Sevierville, Tennessee.
While the field was small, the racing was vigorous, with the following results:
Race Results:
Saturday, Oct 10
1 – #81 Ralph Wessell, Daytona, FL, 1937 Indian
2 – #335 Tim Droege, Columbia, PA, 1939 Harley-Davidson WLDD
3 – #707 Lewis Leonard, South Daytona, FL, 1937 Indian Sport Scout
4 – #95X Mark Newman, Toano, VA, 1939 Harley-Davidson WLD
Sunday, Oct 11
1 – #335 Tim Droege, Columbia, PA, 1939 Harley-Davidson WLDD
2 – #81 Ralph Wessell, Daytona, FL, 1937 Indian
3 – #707 Lewis Leonard, South Daytona, FL, 1937 Indian Sport Scout
4 – #95X Mark Newman, Toano, VA, 1939 Harley-Davidson WLD
With Wessel and Droege trading wins, the Race Referee broke the tie with a coin toss called by Droege, with Wessell winning 1st place and taking home the trophy.
