Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128336
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days AHRMA The Classic MotorCycle/Metro Racing Dirt Track Series Old Bikes at Ashland STORY AND PHOTOS BY MAn BENSON im Monegan is one of those guys who gets the most out of his trip to the races . Coming all the way from Twisp, Washington , to race virtually every round of the AHRMA national series, Monegan routinely enters several classes. And it has paid off: He is defending champion in three classes. On the excellently prepared cushion half mile at Ashland, Monegan entered five classes. He started off with a third-place finish in the new 70s Two-Stroke class, than took back-to-back wins in two of his championship classes - Sportsman 600cc and Senior. But at that point, it might have been better to quit while he was ahead, because the rest of his evening certainly went downhill, as he ran into trouble while running as high as third in Sportsman 750cc, and his problems culminated in a spectacular crash in 70s Singles. George Wills was the evening's other double winner, victorious in both classes in which he carries the number-one plate - Dinosaur and Classic 500cc/750cc. The latter was highlighted by a great battle for the lead with George Richtmeyer. The Ashland dirt track is one of the jewels in the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days crown. Held on one of those traditional Midwest fairgrounds , with plenty of shade trees and a covered grandstand, the event absolutely packs 'em in. Not only isn't there an empty seat in the 46 stands , but spectators are shoulder to shoulder from turn three all along the front straight to turn two. These old machines put on a show that rivals anything in dirt-track racing. With entries in the 150 range, it took 22 heats and a few semis to get things whittled down to the I I finals . Wills earned his first win in the first of the finals, easily sweeping the Dinosaur class on his Harley WR handshifter, over Dennis Clark on another H-D, Beno Rodi's Royal Enfield, and Peter Knick on Larry Barnes's Indian. In the Over 60 Super Senior race , Jack Warren grabbed the holeshot and checked out . Behind him, however, was a three-way battle for second featuring AUGUST 11,2004 • CYCLE NEWS Californian Mickey Alzola, class champ Melvin Brown, and dirttrack legend Ronnie Rail. They finished two-three-four in that order, but not for lack of trying. Next came the brakeless Classic 250s, and first to the front was number-one plate holder Barry Baker, on his Bultaco. Givingchase was Harley Spr int-mounted Marvin Long, and by the third lap of the six-lap race they were battling side by side. Coming up quickly, however, was former class champion Mike Connell, on another Sprint. A couple of laps later, he made 40th Anniversa ry his way around Baker and Long, opening a gap the last time around and leavingthem to fight for second. At the nag, it was still Baker over Long. Fourth went to Larry Gillespie, who managed to separate himself from the rest of the pack. The '70s Two-Stroke final saw five riders - Mike Ashton, Ben Evans, Monegan, Chris Shindeldecker and Tom Morgan immediately set off in a fast freight train at the front . By the halfway mark, a pair of battles had developed : Ashton vs. Evans at the front , followed a short distance back by Monegan against Morgan, with Shindeldecker trailing slightly. As the race drew to a close, Ashton and his Can-Am just held off Evans. Monegan , meanwhile , was dropped to fourth by Morgan, but then he managed to get the third spot back and hold it to the checkered nag. Final number five saw Wills with a big lead from the start on his H-D KR, but coming up quickly was the Triumphmounted Richtmeyer. On lap four, the former AMA Pro caught Wills, and a lap later Richtmeyer swept into the lead. Wills, however, was not to be den ied, and on the last lap he scrapped his way back to the front position. Th ird went to Joel Kath, followed by Bernie Bree ce . Spo rts man 600 was Monegan's from start to finish, as he built a huge lead on his Hond a thump er. Bob Descenn a had been runn ing seco nd, battling with Pet er Desantis, but he pulled off on the third lap, and Desantis we nt on to finish an uncontested seco nd. Monegan was back o ut fo r the Over 50 Senior race on a Yamaha tw in, and again he led from the start. By the halfway point, he was jo ined at the front by Merlyn Wertz and Ed Fatzinger, Wertz engaged Monegan in a battle that drew the pair away from Fatzinger, with Monegan holding on for a close win. Chris Thomas nailed the holeshot in the Over 35 Veteran class, with Lewis Woods pressuring him the whole race and Dave Waters holding down third , The namboyant-riding Richtmeyer, aboard a Yamaha, owned the Sportsm an 750 class on this night. Holding down sec-