First I want to thank all the racers, sponsors (Avon, Vanson Leathers, British Cycle Supply, Mick Hemmings Motorcycles, and dreamdesign), WMRRA, OMRRA and all the people who helped make this series a huge success the first year.
We only ran three classes (250cc, 500cc and Open), and plan to expand the classes next year, but more on that later. The series consisted of six races run on three different tracks (two at Seattle International Raceway, one at Bremerton and three at Portland International Raceway). Only four out of the six races counted towards the season standings and the first five racers in each class received series trophies. Many of the sponsors also donated paraphernalia (hats, T-shirts, etc.) for the first four places at some of the races.
The intent of the SOTP was to promote vintage road racing in the Northwest. The series was successful in accomplishing this with 59 different entries in the 3 classes, with 12 different marques competing this year. This series provided great racing for the racers, and to show their appreciation, the racers took up a collection to buy plaques for the sponsors to thank them for their participation. At the last race at PIR, the racers presented me with a plaque thanking me for the work I did. I, again, want to thank them.
The weather cooperated for all but the first and last events. The first race had a couple brief periods of rain, but all classes ran; and the last race got some rain in the morning.
Five racers were talented, fortunate, or lucky enough to keep
their bikes running and complete all six events: Bruce Bille (Suzuki
X-6 250cc), Swiss Niederberger (BSA Gold Star 500cc), James Robinson
(Ducati Sebring 350cc), Duncan Craick (Norton/Weslake 750cc),
and Jerry Liggett (Triumph Trident 750cc). Tom Mellor (Triumph
Trident 750cc) would have made all six, but due to a mix-up in
SOTP information, he drove all the way to Portland on July 5 instead
of the 4th.
1. PIR, May 19, 26 entries.
2. SIR, June 9, 24 entries.
3. PIR, July 4, 30 entries.
4. SIR, July 13, 37 entries.
5. Bremerton, September 1, 17 entries.
6. PIR, September 21, 31 entries.
All the race results and articles about different races are on the SOTP home page at http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_sotp.html.
We are still in the planning stages for the 1997 series, but tentative plans are to increase the series to eight events (with six out of eight races counting) racing on six different tracks. We hope to hold one event in Canada, four in Washington (on three tracks) and three in Oregon (on two tracks). Canada will be a double point event, since this is the only event held in Canada. We hope to run five classes: 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, Open, and Lightweight Classic.
Several local shops have expressed a desire to sponsor marque series within the SOTP classes. An example would be to sponsor a series for the top finishing Nortons in the Open Class, which would create competition among Nortons as well as among other bikes.
Dave Friesen of dreamdesign and Phil Tanner of Hot Shot are already working on next year's poster and say it will be better than this year's. If you saw this year's poster (and I personally know at least four people who framed this one), you may wonder how they could make it better.
We hope to have all the details worked out, along with the schedule,
by the first of next year. When everything does come together,
we will be sending out an SOTP pamphlet to all racers who competed
this year and anyone else who requests information. If you wish
to receive information on the 1997 SOTP series, fill out the enclosed
form, and mail or fax it to me, or just drop me an E-mail message
with this information.
Rider Name:___________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Phone:___________________ E-mail________________________
Class: ________________(e.g., 250, 350, 500, Open,LWC)
Age: _________________
Years Racing: _________________
Holding a valid race license with:______________________________
Race Bike:________________________________________________
This page was written and designed by F. H. Eaton
& Associates if you have any questions or comments please
contact us at oldbrits@oldbritts.com.