Historic Moto Gran Prix (HMGP) is proud to announce our affiliation with WERA the largest member organization in road racing. HMGP is excited to be a part of WERA sportsman series and we are honored to be a “new” vintage class; the “Collector Class”.
“The pairing of these two organizations is a perfect match,” said Bill Brown, founder of HMGP. “Especially when you consider that the majority of HMGP members, fans, and sponsors have been affiliated in some way with WERA over the years.”
Brown went on to say, “I have known Evelyne Clarke for many years, and she knows what she’s doing. She is the first lady of American road racing. She has done so much for the sport, and I look forward to working with her again.”
He seemed not only grateful for the opportunity to be a part of WERA, knowing it will benefit HMGP, but, he was just as eager, and excited about his plans for the 2016 season and wants to make sure that HMGP will benefit WERA as well.
When Bill Brown talks about road racing, you can feel his passion, and love for the sport. When he talks about the 2016 season with WERA Brown said, “I’m closer than ever to seeing my vision for HMGP become complete. My vision was for the history of the sport to live on, and to live on the track, not in a museum. I wanted the riders and past champions, not just telling us their stories, but to ride their stories. I wanted the bikes that broke the records, and paved the way, not just sitting and being looked at, but to run and to be heard.”
The most important part of Brown’s vision was for this history to be progressive. He does not want the mentality of “living in the past.” Instead, HMGP wants to give collectors of these historic bikes a venue to exhibit them at speed and the opportunity to reunite them with their famous riders. The 2016 season with WERA will make that a reality. WERA is the future of racing and by running the historic bikes at modern events HMGP can give tomorrow’s stars a connection to the sport’s heritage.
For the 2016 season HMGP will participate in WERA collector class at selected sportsman events. This class will be “gentleman racing,” run for awards not points or a championship. “We encourage you to come out and see some the bikes and riders who made this sport what it is today.”
Evelyne added, “WERA is very excited to be able to host these events in 2016 – history has been such an instrumental part of WERA and to be able to showcase this type of at these events means a lot to us.” WERA is currently planning to have the collector class at four events: May 28 at Roebling Road, June 17 at Cycle Jam at Road Atlanta, July 2 at Barber and September 10 at Road Atlanta. For more detailed rules and updated schedule see wera.com or contact [email protected].
About HMGP
Historic Moto Gran Prix (HMGP) is collector organization led by former AMA Pro racer Bill Brown. It is designed as an alternate venue for acknowledged classics like Manx Nortons and air-cooled TD Yamahas, and is also looking to draw more recent “classic” racers including the likes of the legendary two-strokes of the 1970s and the AMA four-stroke superbikes of the 1980s and 1990s. Privateer and replica racer models are highly encouraged to attend. HMGP is the perfect place to share motorsports history with other enthusiasts and display the bikes in the proper setting; at speed on the race track. This is world-class gentleman’s racing. HMGP gratefully acknowledges their presenting sponsor, Yamaha Motor Corporation, for their dedication to preserving racing and engineering history. For information on membership, classes, this year’s calendar and event photos see www.hmgpracing.com. For up to the minute postings by the organization and its members see www.hmgpracing.com. For questions or additional information contact Bill via phone at (404) 379-6091 or via email at [email protected].
More, from a press release issued by WERA:
WERA AND HMGP JOIN FORCES!
You saw the announcement about HMGP coming to select WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Events with their Display and racers in 2016! WERA is very excited to have this history in our paddock in 2016 and we encourage folks to come out and see these great machines and riders.
“I think it is time to remind everyone about history in this great sport and Bill Brown and his HMGP group can bring history back to the paddock. WERA is looking forward to having HMGP join them at Roebling Road May 28/29; at Road Atlanta Cycle Jam June 17/18/19, Barber July 2/3 and at Road Atlanta September 10/11. It will be awesome to have some of the great riders and machines that made their name with WERA back in the he paddock at these events, ” said Evelyne Clarke, CEO of WERA Motorcycle Roadracing.
These events are open to fans who enjoy seeing history in person! You can see the machines displayed in the paddock and they will also be on track showing that they can still get around a circuit! If you love the history of this sport mark your calendars and we look forward to seeing you at these events!
About WERA:
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was founded in 1973 and remains the foremost place to develop talent in the sport of motorcycle roadracing. The legacy of Pro riders on a National and World level is legendary. All events are run by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing and go coast to coast offering entry level racing with the WERA Sportsman Series as well as Pro-Am racing with the WERA National Challenge Series and at select events the WERA Vintage Series. For more information on WERA Motorcycle Roadracing check our web site at wera.com!