AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio
4:45 a.m. My wake up call for this Sunday morning. Some hot coffee, a quick shower, and I am heading out the door. In 2 hours KTRSD will be track side at the largest celebration of vintage motorcycles on the continent; AMA’s Vintage Motorcycle Days! A dark, and chilly morning, greets me as I walk to the garage and fire up the bike. I will be heading North to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Race Track, one of the most challenging courses in the country with it’s 2.4 mile, 15 turn ribbon of asphalt.
By the time I arrive at the track, the paddock area is already buzzing with activity, as the teams are preparing their vintage contraptions to race, on what will be a very hot Sunday in July.
I spent much of the morning trying to get my bearings, and familiarizing myself with the day’s schedule; 13 races, swap meet, demo rides, and a seminar lead by Clement Salvadori. All of this plus a bike show, fill the agenda, some editing was certainly in order.
As the day progressed, the racing schedule backed up, due to the fact there was a significant oil spill on the course, and the track crew was having a difficult time cleaning it up. (I didn’t even realize there was a Harley in that last race!) Kidding! Here’s a few tid-bits from the day…
1. Clement Salvadori is a better writer than a speaker.
2. $6.00 for a soda and wienie.
3. Fuel $10 per gallon in London.
4. Triumph was king today.
5. Vintage bikes are cool, but very unreliable.
6. Over 60,000 in attendance on Sunday.
By mid-afternoon the sun was baking the track and the participants, sunscreen and water, were the priorities of the day. Here’s a sample…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bP-nSAcabA
I am hot, sweaty, thirsty, and ready to tear up some road! Thanks Mid-Ohio, it was a blast!
