I recently spent a weekend at an AHRMA regional roadrace at Pitt Race, my local circuit. I’ve long been curious about the goings-on within this, the nation’s largest and oldest antique motorcycle racing body, as I’m curious about getting back on track after several years absence. During the early-to-mid 200s, I was a genuine track rat, spending many weekends zipping around racetracks as a contributor to Motorcyclist magazine and later for Speed TV network.
After a high-speed crash, my family determined that I was A) too large a fellow and B) too long in the tooth, to be chasing apexes at triple-digit speeds much longer.
However, I’ve met and interviewed several active motorcycle roadracers far older them my current 62 years, many of them enjoying championship seasons aboard classic bikes they maintain and race-prep themselvces.
If you’ve ever harbored doubts about your own ability to ride competitively in middle age, a visit to an AHRMA event should definitely be on your radar as the undaunted spirit, dedication and infectuous can-do spirit of these men and women is impressive to see in action. The colorful, noisy paddock was filled with two-wheelers of all descriptions and bodies of all shapes and sizes; you needen’t be a tiny, bicycle-obsessed 140-pounder to chase checkered flags in this arena, just a rider willing to challenge themselves- and yes, the deductible of one’s health insurance policy- to become a racer here.
The American Historical Racing Motorcycle Association ( I know- what an awkward moniker) even operates a racing school for the track-curious and I was eager to sit in on the classroom sessions to learn more about the path to the grid. The riders proved an interesting mix of current and former racers, both amateur and professional, while a few students were just ordinary riders craving a more exhilarating experience than everyday street riding affords.
The machinery ranged from pristine, well-prepared sportbikes of recent vintage to funky little supermoto customs to cafe racers and even some real pieces of motorcycling history. No need for a trailer full of six-figure bikes needed to race AHRMA- instead, I was folks racing some machines that appeared to be plucked straight from a motorcycle museum collection, gassed up, shod with new tires and ridden onto the track.
Cafe Racer magazine’s upcoming October/November issue will include extensive coverage of the people and motorcycles that make classic racing such a draw and we’ll be considering enrolling in next year’s race school as the competition bug continues to infect us all.
