The Best of 2011
After starting my race career on a 1967 Ducati 250 in 1989, I moved on to modern sportbikes, but it was inevitable that I would return to vintage bikes, they are why this blog was created afterall. Whether it's singles, twins, triple or four cylinder machines. Two stroke and four are both welcome too.Some of my racebikes over the last ten years are pictured below. The Honda 350 Four, MV Agusta 350 twin, Yamaha TZ 125 & TZ350 resting as my focus has shifted in the last few years. A couple of racing Norton's had come my way.
2011 has got to be the best year ever in my motorcycling life. Seriously. I can hardly believe where I've been and who I've met, not to mention what I've ridden as well. I've been very, very fortunate. What a year its been. Let's look back.
I decided to start this blog to share my personal journey with the motorcycles that cross my path. I run and annual classic bike auction, but have been brokering some private sales as well and some good stuff comes along from time to time. This year I've sold a number of classics for clients. Recently I sold a 1951 Vincent Rapide and a 1938 Triumph Speed Twin, both blue-chip collectibles. Just handling machines like those for a brief time brings enjoyment too, even if I don't own them. As I look back now, with readers all over the world, I am certain that our hobby has a devoted global following. About fifty percent of the you are from places other than the USA. Thanks for viewing and sharing your comments and experiences with me.
The year got off to a good start with a trip south in late February. I was racing the Team 20/20 Vintage Racing 1961 Norton Manx 500cc at Robeling Road Georgia in the Antique Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Classic 60's class. Strong competition was present and the best I could manage was 2nd and 3rd places during the two-day solo outing. It was a memorable weekend with warm weather and the company of good friends.
We jumped forward to the 9th Annual Chadds Ford Classic Motorcycle in April where a great collection of vintage bikes and parts changed hands. A number of Indian and Harley-Davidson's were featured this year. The poster was designed by Robert S. Coy of New Hamsphire. Mr. Coy was the featured artist at the 2011 Radnor Hunt Concours.
June had us on location at a private estate in Delaware to continue shooting for TV show we're working on. Having two Norton Manx and a TZ750 running at speed for the cameras was a once in a lifetime experience. More on that later.
July brought us back to Mid Ohio where we shared garage space with the Royal Enfield based Badger raced by Stu Carter and put together by Leon Stanley and his crew.The Manx ran well again and another memorable weekend was gone in a flash. Below, a TZ750 gets what's needed before the next practice session.
Early August saw the opening of the exhibit I prepared for the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia featuring Ducati and other Italian motorcycles. Former Cycle magazine editor and AMA Superbike race winner on 'Old Blue' Ducati Cook Neilson was a delightful guest for the opening party. Our gracious host, Dr. Frederick Simeone's museum was recently named, "Best Automotive Museum in the World" , an astounding honor for this local gem. Please make sure you visit museum sometime soon. www.simeonemuseum.org
Earlier in the year, noted photographer Michael Furman shot a small group of bikes for the poster. The 1979 Ducati MHR was created to honor the legendary comeback victory of the Mike " The Bike" Hailwood at the Isle of Man in 1978. It would be a fitting choice as the late Mike Hailwood's son, Dave was to be our guest of honor at the Radnor Hunt Concours.
The 15th Annual Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance happens the first full weekend in September every year and this one was really special. We arranged for the entire collection of 50 motorcycles from the Simeone exhibit to be on display at Radnor Hunt for judging by our esteemed guest judged.
Special guests included David Hailwood, Nobby Clark, Gary Fisher, Eraldo Ferracci and Cook Neilson for the weekend. Dave stayed on for a few days and we got to do some motorcycling before he headed back to the UK. Our friend, former AMA racer Ron McGill supplied the hardware for that adventure. Check out www.radnorconcours.org and www.mikethebike.com
Two weeks later, we were southbound. We made our way to Barber Motorsports Park for the final AHRMA round of the season for us. A huge turnout meant intense competition on the track, but the bike acquitted itself well enough for a 6th and 7th place finishes. The museum itself was a knockout and hanging out with guests Kevin Schwantz and Cook Neilson, Paul Smart and Jason DiSalvo made it a very special weekend.
As the season wound down, we put things in high gear to wrap up production on a TV series trailer we've been working on for some time now. It captured some of the very best moments of the year with some great people and machines. We're pressing on with getting things going on that front as quickly as possible. It's called Retro Moto.
On the racing front, the Yamaha TZ750 E model is nearly ready for a return to the track. We hope to have it ready for Roebling Road in February as the final details are being finished as we write this. It's taken a year and a half to piece together the parts needed to put it right. The big 750cc four cylinder two stroke weighs about 340 pounds and produces about 130hp!
2011 has got to be the best year ever in my motorcycling life. Seriously. I can hardly believe where I've been and who I've met, not to mention what I've ridden as well. I've been very, very fortunate. What a year its been. Let's look back.
I decided to start this blog to share my personal journey with the motorcycles that cross my path. I run and annual classic bike auction, but have been brokering some private sales as well and some good stuff comes along from time to time. This year I've sold a number of classics for clients. Recently I sold a 1951 Vincent Rapide and a 1938 Triumph Speed Twin, both blue-chip collectibles. Just handling machines like those for a brief time brings enjoyment too, even if I don't own them. As I look back now, with readers all over the world, I am certain that our hobby has a devoted global following. About fifty percent of the you are from places other than the USA. Thanks for viewing and sharing your comments and experiences with me.
The year got off to a good start with a trip south in late February. I was racing the Team 20/20 Vintage Racing 1961 Norton Manx 500cc at Robeling Road Georgia in the Antique Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Classic 60's class. Strong competition was present and the best I could manage was 2nd and 3rd places during the two-day solo outing. It was a memorable weekend with warm weather and the company of good friends.
We jumped forward to the 9th Annual Chadds Ford Classic Motorcycle in April where a great collection of vintage bikes and parts changed hands. A number of Indian and Harley-Davidson's were featured this year. The poster was designed by Robert S. Coy of New Hamsphire. Mr. Coy was the featured artist at the 2011 Radnor Hunt Concours.
June had us on location at a private estate in Delaware to continue shooting for TV show we're working on. Having two Norton Manx and a TZ750 running at speed for the cameras was a once in a lifetime experience. More on that later.
July brought us back to Mid Ohio where we shared garage space with the Royal Enfield based Badger raced by Stu Carter and put together by Leon Stanley and his crew.The Manx ran well again and another memorable weekend was gone in a flash. Below, a TZ750 gets what's needed before the next practice session.
Early August saw the opening of the exhibit I prepared for the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia featuring Ducati and other Italian motorcycles. Former Cycle magazine editor and AMA Superbike race winner on 'Old Blue' Ducati Cook Neilson was a delightful guest for the opening party. Our gracious host, Dr. Frederick Simeone's museum was recently named, "Best Automotive Museum in the World" , an astounding honor for this local gem. Please make sure you visit museum sometime soon. www.simeonemuseum.org
Earlier in the year, noted photographer Michael Furman shot a small group of bikes for the poster. The 1979 Ducati MHR was created to honor the legendary comeback victory of the Mike " The Bike" Hailwood at the Isle of Man in 1978. It would be a fitting choice as the late Mike Hailwood's son, Dave was to be our guest of honor at the Radnor Hunt Concours.
The 15th Annual Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance happens the first full weekend in September every year and this one was really special. We arranged for the entire collection of 50 motorcycles from the Simeone exhibit to be on display at Radnor Hunt for judging by our esteemed guest judged.
Special guests included David Hailwood, Nobby Clark, Gary Fisher, Eraldo Ferracci and Cook Neilson for the weekend. Dave stayed on for a few days and we got to do some motorcycling before he headed back to the UK. Our friend, former AMA racer Ron McGill supplied the hardware for that adventure. Check out www.radnorconcours.org and www.mikethebike.com
Two weeks later, we were southbound. We made our way to Barber Motorsports Park for the final AHRMA round of the season for us. A huge turnout meant intense competition on the track, but the bike acquitted itself well enough for a 6th and 7th place finishes. The museum itself was a knockout and hanging out with guests Kevin Schwantz and Cook Neilson, Paul Smart and Jason DiSalvo made it a very special weekend.
As the season wound down, we put things in high gear to wrap up production on a TV series trailer we've been working on for some time now. It captured some of the very best moments of the year with some great people and machines. We're pressing on with getting things going on that front as quickly as possible. It's called Retro Moto.
Racing an 8 hp Yamaha TTR125 might seem tame by comparison, but when your sharing the saddle at a four hour endurance race, it can provide big fun. The tiny Yamaha may have been underpowered compoared to the winning team's Honda, but we managed to have enough laughs for the Mini Moto GP to make the list. We'll be back next year for more fun at NJMSP.
On the racing front, the Yamaha TZ750 E model is nearly ready for a return to the track. We hope to have it ready for Roebling Road in February as the final details are being finished as we write this. It's taken a year and a half to piece together the parts needed to put it right. The big 750cc four cylinder two stroke weighs about 340 pounds and produces about 130hp!
Happy Holidays to you and Best Wishes for the New Year !
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