Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

them to overnm the class either. Next year they will be restricted. This is vintage racing, not an 883 class. We don't want the Yamaha guys to be the only guys out there." Isaacs defends the decision to use the equipment, saying that even though the VDTRA allows its machinery to be more modern than AHRMA, it also is historically more accurate. "They (AHRMA) are trying to change history," Isaacs claims. "They had the chance to have our program at one time, but they wanted no part of dirt track. Then after we got rolling they wanted us to join their program, but our membership voted it down because we were afraid we would lose our identity. They could have had places like Del Mar and Davenport, Iowa, but they thought those venues were too fast. I think maybe their leader can't relate to dirt track very well." Speed is very much a part of the game with the VDTRA as most of its Nationals take place on the big half miles, and on mile tracks, which are a 'VDTRA exclusive. Yet despite the terminal velocity, and given the competitiveness of the core group of VDTRA veterans, Isaacs says that safety is of paramount importance to the association, and he is proud to report that there has been but one broken bone in eight years of racing. "We've been very fortunate," Isaacs says. "We used to initiate our program at Daytona, but one of the reasons we quit going there was because of that stadium. We had one broken foot in nine years of racing, and we feel it happened because the track conditions weren't as good as they should be. There was a safety factor we weren't satisfied with." Safety can be a big concern when there is money on the line, and there is in the Pro classes, another VDTRA novelty. A VDTRA National can pay pro purses as high as $2,500 for the Open Pro Twins class at a given event. "The talent level is there," Isaacs said. "That's why we have Pro and Amateur classes. We don't want the superfast guys nmning with the slower or newer guys. That's helped our membership to grow." Though not anywhere near enough to make even a multi-event winner wealthy, the Pro purses have proven attractive enough to draw members like leather maker Matt George to compete at several of the National events. "I like the Pro class," says the 36year-old George, who regularly competes in VDTRA events on a pair of Harley-Davidson XR750s. "I got second at Columbus Junction, Iowa, and made $300. AHRMA pays a trophy. It's hard to put a trophy in your gas tank. You're not going to make a living or anything off it, but the money will at least help a guy make expenses. It's a neat organization. There's good competition and faster riders in the VDTRA. I'm not saying that there aren't fast guys in AHRMA, but there can be 12-15 guys who are capable of winning at any given VDTRA race. It's also kind of neat to be able to ride a mile. You've got to have some horsepower to win, but just getting the chance is fun." For many of the riders, just being there to relive past days is more than enough reason to be involved. Participation is the most important thing, says Bill Snyder, 49, the current VDTRA 250cc Pro-class champion and 600cc Proclass points leader. The last Bultaco dealer in the United States, Snyder enjoys competing at the VDTRA races aboard his fleet of Bultaco Astros. (Right) Most all of the equipment seen at VDTRA Nationals is immaculately prepa~ed. Nebraskan Fred Schrltt showed up to the 1996 Oklahoma City Half Mile with a beautiful pair of Trackmaster Triumphs. (Left) HarleyDavidson XR750s of 1975 or earlier heritage are welcome at VDTRA events. Here, 1995 Open Pro Twins Champion Dallas Babcock (21 G) dices wM Matt George (20). Both are XR-mounted. (Balow) Though he usually competes on his BSA Gold Star, Dave Atherton (15X) will occasionally borrow a twin to compete on one of the VDTRA miles like this one at Indianapolis. Atherton Is the father of Grand National superstar Kevin Atherton. "The AHRMA thing is not in the Midwest, and it doesn't fit my schedule," Snyder says. "Besides, they are a little more formal. We're th.e guys who have a little more fun. In all the VDTRA races I've been to, I've never seen a fight. In six AHRMA events, I've seen two. "Participation is the key," Snyder says. "You participate by racing, and when your race is over you sit back with the guys and say, 'Yeah, I remember racing against your dad or your san: or, 'I remember that race 20 years ago.' It's almost like going to Hawaii. When you get there, it's not that hot. It's the trip that's more important than the end result." This year "the trip" includes the Del Mar Mile - the VDTRA series finale, and one of the crown jewels on the '96 schedule. The event is set to take place as part of Bike Week West, and will be nm the Monday after the AMA Grand National Championship finale. ''We used to come to California back in 1989 or '90," Isaacs says. "But back then we realized that we were driving 1,700-1,800 miles to race each tither, and we could do that closer. to home. But now with the interest being at a point to where there are more people on the West Coast, it makes it more worthwhile to travel again and participate with everyone." The trip to Del Mar this year will be most satisfying for Isaacs, who maintains that he couldn't be happier with the way things are going for the association or its members. According to him, it represents a signpost on the road as far as the history of the organization is concerned. "The first time I ever went to Del Mar, I was flabbergasted because it was such a class deal," Isaacs says. "This year we got it all pu t together to come and be a part of it. This is probably one of our biggest steps forward." And Isaacs said he hopes the show will be good enough that the VDTRA will be able to return time and again, if for no other reason than for the same one that keeps him going: the people. "The camaraderie in our sport is the best I've e'!er seen:' Isaacs says. "The people who ride our events 'were dirt trackers tllrough the '60s, '70s and early '80s. They relate to us because they're not concerned about road racing or motocross. Once you've raced dirt track, it is like an addiction, and when you come back to it, you're right where you left off - in your mind anyway. It just so happens that there are a bunch of guys like me who have the chance to do it all again. That's what the VDTRA is all about." ('N \.0 0\ 0\ ,.-l -.0 ,.-l I-< .. o Q) .g U 35

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