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AHRMA Classic Motorcycle Dirt Track Series Round 12: New York State Fairgrounds STORY AND PHOTOS BY IAN C. BLAIR SYRACUSE, NY, JUNE 29 he AMA Grand National guys don't stop in Syracuse, New York, anymore, but the dirt-track flame still burns brightly at the Moody Mile, thanks to the efforts of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association. On June 29, the legendary New York State Fairgrounds oval hosted round 12 of AHRMA's Classic Motorcycle Dirt Track Series. The Dino class kicked off the proceedings, with Dennis Clark nailing the holeshot on a 1950 Harley, followed by Bruce Argetsinger and then George Wills, on a 1948 Harley. By the second lap, it was all Wills, with Clark, Argetsinger, Dick Zrubek (on a 1949 Harley) and Beno Rodi (on a 1950 Indian) giving chase. Wills opened a huge gap for an easy win. Evan Kunes' 1920 Harley racer proved to be the class of the field in the boardtracker exhibition event. However, this race was more about seeing these beautifully primitive machines back in their element than it was about who made the podium. The boardtracker field was comprised of Michael Lange's 1920 Excelsior, (Left) Michael Lange (6). Jerry Caspa (14X) and Michael Terry make it Excelsiors three-wide around tum one at the New York State Fairgrounds. site of round 12 of the AHRMA Classic Motorcycle Dirt Track Series. U Michael Terry (39) prepares to bump over his 1926 Excelsior racer for a tour of the Moody Mile. the 1926 Excelsior of Michael Terry, a 1920 Harley racer from Evan Kunes, Frank Martinico's vintage Excelsior, event promoter Frank Westfall's 1928 Henderson, and the senior bike in the class - Jerry Caspa's 1914 Excelsior. Mike Connell took the checkers in the 250cc Classic event astride a 1966 Harley. Connell put in a beautiful, off-the-pace ride, tracking the early speed of Mark Hawk and Larry Gillespie, both aboard 1968 Bultacos. 70 JUlv31,2002' c u e . e (Below) Lewis Woods (76A) and Barney Waldron (62B) mix it up in the twoman Veteran race in Syracuse, New York. It was "The Ron Atherton and George Wills Show" in the Classic 500-750cc race. Wills, on a 1953 Harley, and the 1966 Triumph of Atherton exploded off the line together, hit turn one in unison and proceeded to pull away from the field. At the wire, it was Atherton, Wills, Beno Rodi on his 1957 Royal-Enfield, Bruce Argetsinger on a 1951 R-E, Bob Hovden's 1955 BSA, and David Barr on a 1967 Triumph. With 13 bikes entered originally, the '70s Singles field was the day's biggest. Tom Palmieri grabbed the holeshot on his 1979 Honda, chased by Jim Monegan's 1972 Yamaha and Mike Headman, aboard a '78 Yamaha. As Monegan and Palmieri diced for the lead, they were joined by Pennsylvania's James Haas, on a 1976 Yamaha. But Haas lost ground in the later laps, and at the finish it was Monegan, Palmieri and the 1976 Yamaha of Mark Hawk. Jimmy Ziegler, aboard a 1974 Can-Am, served notice in practice that he was in Syracuse for a reason. In the Sportsman 250cc race, he hooked up with another Can-Am rider, Jeff Matzloff, and the duo finished one-two, with Peter DeSantis third on a 1977 Bultaco and Steve Flach fourth on a 1973 Yamaha. Mickey Alzola made the trip from Southern California to upstate New York, and the long haul paid off as he took the holeshot on his 1966 Triumph in the Super Senior race and rumbled to the win. With Alzola out front, AI Golley, on a 1972 Yamaha, defended second, and Tony Rodriguez, riding a 1970 Yamaha, hooked up with Jim Kidman and his 1974 Honda in a battle for third heading into turn one on the final lap. Kidman prevailed at the wire for the show spot. While Connell and his 1973 Honda took an early lead in the Sportsman 600cc contest, fans were treated to a n e vv s nice duel for second between Yamaha-mounted Nick Taylor and Larry Weiss, on a 1976 Triumph. Heading into lap two, Taylor and Weiss were side by side through the sweeping apex of turn one. Connell was a comfortable winner, with Weiss second, Taylor third and Steven Flach fourth on a 1972 Yamaha. Lewis Woods was another rider seriously on the gas in practice. In the Sportsman 750cc race, Woods, on a 1972 Triumph, Daniel Weicht, on a 1971 Yamaha, and Barney Waldron, on a 1974 Yamaha, took center stage. Using every inch of the groove to find traction, Woods made a big move in turn two of lap five to move up into second, but Weicht prevailed at the wire. After Waldron and Woods hooked up in a two-man Veteran event (which was won by Waldron), the Senior race rolled off. Larry Weiss, now on a '73 Triumph, hit turn one first and then put a big gap between himself and the rest of the field. Monegan and Melvin Brown had a nice tussle for second, while Alzola and Golley fought for third. Weiss won, with Alzola second and Golley third. The last event of the day was the 750cc Pro class, a showcase for how intense vintage flat-track racing can be. Daniel Weicht, on a '72 Yamaha and Waldron battled early, and were joined in the middle stages by Yamaha-mounted George Wills. With two laps to go, Norton-mounted Craig Breckon grabbed the lead, and on the final lap Breckon and Wills were banging handlebars for first, with Breckon taking the win, followed by Wills, Waldron and David Weicht. CN New York State Fairgrounds Syracuse, New York Results: June 29, 2002 (Round 121 BRDTRCKR EXHIB: I. Michael lang (Exc); 2. Vince Martinko; 3. Evan Kunes (H-D); 4. Jerry Caspa (Exc); 5. Frank Westfall (Hen). DINO 500-700: 1. George Wills (H-D); 2. Dennis Clark (H-D): 3. Bruce Argetsinger; 4. Bene Rodi (Ind); 5. Dick Zubeck (H-D). ClSC 250: I. Mike Connell (H·D); 2. Barry Baker (Bul); 3. Larry Gillespie (Bul); 4. Jim Ackley (H·D); 5. Terry Waite (Bul). ClSC 500-700: I. Ron Atheron (Tri); 2. George Wills (H-D); 3. Bene Rodi (R·E); 4. Bruce Argetsinger (R·E); 5. Bob Hovden (BSA). '70s SGl: 1. Jim Monegan (Yam); 2. Tom Palmieri (Hon); 3. Mark Hawk (Yam); 4. John Bower Jr. (Yam); 5. James Haas (Yam). SPTSMN 250: I. Jeff Matzloff (C-A): 2. Jimmy Ziegler (C-A); 3. Peter DeSantis (Bul); 4. Stephen Flach (Yam); 5. Jeff Oakley (Han). SPTSI'IN 600: 1. Mike Connell (Han); 2. Larry Weiss (Tri); 3. Nick Taylor (Yam); 4. Stephen Flach (Yam); 5. David Barr (Tri). SPTSMN 750: 1. Daniel Weicht (Yam); 2. Lewis Woods (Tri); 3. Barney Waldron (Yam); 4. David Weicht (Yam); 5. Ned Storm (Tri). VET: 1. Barney Waldron (Yam); 2. Lewis Woods (Tri). SR: I. Larry Weiss (Tri); 2. Mickey Alzola (Tri); 3. Al Golley (Yam); 4. Jim Monegen (Yam); 5. Mike Keane (Yam). S/SR: 1. Mickey Alzola (Tri); 2. Al Galley (Yam); 3. Jim Kidman (Hon); 4. Charles Pickren (Yam); 5. Melvin Brown (Tri). VINT 750 MNY SUP: 1. Craig Breckon (Nor); 2. George Wills (Yam); 3. Barney Waldron (Yam); 4. David Weicht (Yam); 5. Ned Storm (Tri).