click photo to zoom in

Most vintage motorcycle racing organizations start out well intentioned. The organizations are founded by riders who enjoy getting their old iron out of the garage and onto the track to relive the glory days. Unfortunately, things have not run smoothly in vintage racing circles. Many of these organizations fall victim to political infighting, argumentative clashes on racing class structures and prolific writing of rules and regulations that take the fun out of a sport that was invented just for having fun.

slidin' chopper - click to zoom

Fed up with rules, regulations and fun-sucking attitude from officials, a bunch of outlaws (and we use the term in the nicest sense) in Ventura, California decided to throw a party. Their party is held at Ventura Raceway for riders who still like to fire up their vintage dirt track bikes. The race rules are simple enough. Classes are set for bike size, bike age and rider ability. Riders have to wear proper protective gear. Everybody gets lot of practice time. Nobody is allow to take themselves too seriously.

flathead - click to zoom

The Ventura Raceway is a quarter mile dirt oval located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Located right on the ocean, fans in the west bleachers can look over their shoulders to watch surfers getting their last ride of the day as the sun sinks into the Pacific. The track hosts mostly sprint car racers who prefer to run on a tacky clay surface (not the hot set-up for riders on 650 Triumphs who want to pitch it in and slide through the corners). Realizing the clay would end up breaking more collar bones than it would allow rear wheels to break loose, the outlaws dumped decomposed granite on the oval, making the surface a sideways sliding fantasy. Riders who had skipped riding the event because of the clay surface of past events were heard vowing to compete next year.

racing hd - click to zoom

Eddie Mulder, retired National Number 42, was the biggest name in the show but he shared every competitor’s spirit. When asked why he rode the Most vintage motorcycle racing organizations start out well intentioned. The organizations are founded by riders who enjoy getting their old iron out of the garage and onto the track to relive the glory days. Unfortunately, things have not run smoothly in vintage racing circles. Many of these organizations fall victim to political infighting, argumentative clashes on racing class structures and prolific writing of rules and regulations that take the fun out of a sport that was invented just for having fun.

honda tourer

The fans (about 2,500) did enjoy Eddie’s theatrics but the night’s highlight was the Hooligan class. The Hooligans are a bunch of happy loners who own bikes that don’t fit into any easily definable racing class. Fact is, the only reason you could classify these bikes "race bikes" is because the owners had the courage to line them up on the starting line. While he never finished anywhere near the front runners, a bearded rider of a fully chopped Harley won the crowds' hearts.

slidin' chopper - click to zoom

The event takes place every year near the beginning of summer. If you want to race next year’s event or come out to watch, contact The Bike Shop in Ventura, California (805) 650-6777 for more info.

Sparky Gomez