Sounds of the Past

WMRRA's Vintage Day, 7/13/96

by Paul Weiss

The fourth Sounds of the Past Vintage Racing Series event was Washington Motorcycle Roadracing Association's first annual All Vintage Day and highlighted exciting vintage competition on an unseasonably warm Saturday at the Seattle International Raceway. The three classes, 250, 500 and Open Vintage, both ran two races to determine an overall winner in each class, with the second race gridding in reverse order of first races finish and with the results of the second race being used to break ties. Overall winners were Rich Levert, Swiss Niederberger and Tom Mellor.

The first race of the day was competition by 250 Vintage riders and after a restart, caused by oil on the race surface, the winner was number 373 Bruce Bille riding a 1966 Suzuki X-6. Bille the series points leader in 250 Vintage however was bested by Rich Levert in the second 250 Vintage race after he started late. Bille was dead last on lap one of his second race, but managed to climb within striking distance of Rich Levert and his 1974 Honda CB 500-4 to eventually finished second, thus giving the overall win to Levert.

Bille was in fierce competition and was fortunate to maintain second place. During the last several laps of the race he was in a back and forth battle amongst riders jockeying for second, third, fourth and fifth places. At one point it appeared that the second place battle would be won by 219 Tim Fowler, on the 1965 Honda CB 160, but on lap three in turn 10, the chicane known as the Bus Stop, he went wide into the gravel at the side of the track and dropped to fifth.

In the 500 Vintage Class Swiss Niederberger was leader the entire length of both races and clearly the overall winner as he seemed to effortlessly navigate the racing surface on his BSA Goldstar, but by no means was excitement lacking in this class. In the first 500 Vintage race 478 Dan Jones, on a 1970 Honda CR 350, narrowly bested 251 Greg Everheart, on a 1968 Honda CB 350, to take second place. After battling side by side, in the few places wide enough on the S.I.R. road course, and tire to tire the rest of the way Jones was able to fend off a last second passing attempt by Everheart, on the front straightaway. He took the checkered flag for second by a half of a bike length.

The finishing order in the second 500 vintage race was the same as the first and gave a commanding lead to series points leader Niederberger and allowed Everheart and Jones to move up in the standings.

In Open Vintage class 240 Tom Mellor won both races, on his 1974 Triumph T-150, for the days overall win. Mellor who was closely followed by series points leader David Kaechele, who had two third place finishes on his 1972 BMW R 75/5, has tightened the points race to a virtual toss up with two series races left.

The day of vintage racing was ended with a trophy dash, but the 100 degree plus temperatures on the S.I.R. race surface had taken its toll on riders and bikes causing a minimal showing.

Also, included in the day was a lunch time parade of a variety of bikes dating back as far as

the 1920's.


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