Its been a while since I put digits to keyboard regarding Vintage roadracing in the Pacific Northwest so I'd best get on with it. A few words first about the 98 season and then some about the 99 plans.

1998 was the third year we had run the SOTP and there were 7 SOTP events held. While the turnout of racers wasn't quite as good as the previous year the racing was particularly exciting to watch as in some of the classes there were up to 6 bikes battling for the lead. The 1st race was at Portland in May and the form book was well and truly overturned by the rain. So overturned that yours truly took the overall win on the day. It was amusing in a smug kind of way to see the Japanese electrics suffering more from the wet than the Lucas products.

The May event at Seattle's SIR was held in fine weather but was characterized by greater than usual mechanical mayhem. There were at least 3 blown motors in the 750 class including 2 comprehensively blown to bits. The 'Mr Jags' Norton Commando engine was rebuilt in the pits between heats with replacement crankcases and made it through the final heat. This accomplishment was duly pointed out to those racers who had had the whole winter to rebuild their bikes but still hadn't made it out! Thankfully the rest of the season was pretty uneventful from a mechanical point of view with most bikes running strong throughout the season.

One of the strong running bikes in the 500 class was the '48 sprung hub/ rigid Triumph Speed Twin of Len Flatray which was often to be found showing more modern bikes the way around. Swiss Niederberger on a BSA Gold Star with a more fully suspended frame (but not much more) was the most consistent and took the season championship in the 500 class. The 2 Aermacchi 350's of Chis Kerber and Paul Gaudio also did well with Chris Kerber getting 2 wins. There is the possibility of 2 more Aermacchis running in 99. I hope so, - they really are neat machines.

The big question in the 250 class was whether Bruce Billie would get his Suzuki X6 to the line on time. If he did he usually won. Otherwise it was Honda 160 slugfest with Tim Fowler taking the season championship. However the Bundy, Fowler, Smith, Honda 160, party was gatecrashed at Portland in September when Jon Lacey beat the lot of them on their 'spare' 160.

The 4th round was held at Chilliwak in British Columbia and while it is no replacement for Westwood, it's always fun to race in Canada. From the racer's point of view the fun is somewhat muted since it's a rather boring 'airfield ' track but it's very good for spectating since all the action takes place right in front of the grandstands. The main race was won by Tom Mellor on his Triumph Trident from Jerry Ligget's Bonneville after favorite Mick Hart's Laverda SFC had mechanical problems. On a personal note, my race sucked (can I say that?) after I went from 4th to 8th in one lap. Oh well.

SIR in August was the 5th round and by vintage standards this was something of a crashfest. Now vintage riders are generally older, more mature folk, comfortable with their role in life and their place in society. They do not generally behave like testosterone charged teenagers out to prove they're the next Max Biaggi. Well, lap 1 turn 10 would have had you wondering. Jerry Ligget very cooly and politely laid it down in the turn 10 chicane and invited all the other riders to run him over. They declined, so he escaped any broken bones. Later in the weekend Gary Lewis managed to put his Rickman Honda higher up the turn 7 embankment than anyone else had managed for several years.

By the time the season finale at Portland came around most of the championships had been decided but the 2nd through 5th places in the 750 class were still wide open. Jon Lacey on his BSA Rocket 3 had a great come from behind win to beat Tom Mellor's Trident in the last turn of the last race of the season. Bruce Winegarden on a Honda 750/4 took third on the day and third overall for the season in what was his first full season of vintage racing. Dave Kaechle took his BMW R75 to 4th and finished as the top BMW rider for the season. Mark Leslie scored the only double of the day taking first place in both the 250 and 500 classes on his Suzuki's.

Thanks go to series sponsors Avon, Vanson, Mick Hemmings Motorcycles, British Cycle Supply,, Ristorante Auguri, Gonzalez Motors, Hot Shots and to the marque series sponsors .

To 1999

We are planning a similar program and the specific SOTP dates for 99 are as follows:
16 May PIR (Portland), 23 May SIR (Seattle), 19 June SIR, 29 Aug PIR,
5 Sept Spokane, 18 Sept PIR. Also, tentatively, Chilliwak B.C. on June 26 or 27

Please be aware that these dates are subject to change so please check closer to the day if you are planning on traveling any distance to one of them.

Each year we have promoted one of the SIR SOTP races as the prime Seattle Vintage Racing Event with as many vintage racers as we can get out as well as a concours and swap meet. Last year the available date clashed with other vintage events but this year we have gotten WMRRA's agreement for Saturday June 19 and will hopefully avoid any major conflicts.

I'll finish off by saying that the vintage grids are not full yet, so there's plenty of room on the track for more vintage racers. If you are thinking about getting into vintage road racing please get in touch with me.

You can contact Duncan at craickd@aol.com

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