March 1-4
Chuck Sun
I answered my cell to hear Kay & Richard invite me to the Vintage Motocross National in Florida. Before I could answer she said, Oh I'm sorry you might know my husband better as Dick...Mann. Whoa, I just received an invitation from one of the greatest legends of Motorcycle Racing....a star in the film that ignited my desire to race, "On Any Sunday" 37 years ago. Count me in! Secretly I really wasn't so sure, as I've only been riding modern bikes throughout the years, enjoying what I call production "works" bikes. I've been carrying the belief that going back in time was great for reminiscing past glories, but not to ride antiques that technology has long left behind. Another matter to consider was how this was going to figure into my preparation for the FIM Veterans World Motocross Championship beginning April 20 in Bellpuig, Spain. It turned out that racing is always good.
It only took the first set of motos on the aptly named Hard Rock course to realize that I've been carrying a false belief that you cannot have fun on Vintage bikes. Pre '74 MX bikes are lower and are restricted to 4" of travel. Twenty pounds lighter and lower mean tossing these babies into the turns & jumps was a gas! It sure didn't hurt that the bikes I was offered to ride were extremely well prepared and would rival the factory prepared machines of the day.
Tripes, Sun & Tom Boyd's '74 250 Husqvarna | 
AHRMA Champ Doug Grant at Awards Banquet | |
It was a treat to receive riding tips from the only rider that could take down Hannah in the day...Marty Tripes. I remember 30 years ago Marty suggesting that I loosen my white knuckle grip and it has helped ever since. Marty's tip for Spain was "ride the bike, not the bike ride you" Marty has offered to travel to Spain as my coach. That would be cool if we could raise the expenses. If you come out and think you are going to just smoke vintage riders, think again. In many cases they have been riding the same bike for 5 years or more and know how to throttle up! I did manage to take a couple wins that went down to the wire against another Husky rider named Rascal who also rode the trials and dirt track. This was an incredible experience riding thirty year old plus running sculptures while transporting your senses back in time.
One of the many highlights came during morning practice riding with 2 time World Motocross Champion Jeff Smith. It doesn't get any better.
Jeff Smith starts the Ocala CC | | |
AHMRA Off-Road Director Alex Moroz offered his Brad Lackey '81 500 Suzuki for the Cross Country on Friday. More of a modern bike it handled the technical tree'd course with Worries.
Lackey's '81 Zook | 
Sun on Ohlins Maico | |
Sunday's Post Vintage ('74 & newer w/drum brakes) reflected the generous nature of Vintage enthusiasts as I had many bike offers. I elected to ride the Ohlins '81 250 Maico that Steve had prepped, choosing suspension over power. It never bottomed, even on a huge 75 ft. table top! I could ride with as much confidence as a linkage with the progressive Ohlins dual shocks. Maico mounted I had a classic battle with Kevin Brule' mounted on a 465 Yam. I just let the 250 sing diving into turns deeper and getting punished by the big bore roost on the exits. Made a last lap move over a couple jumps to out brake Brule' in an old school block pass. I was absolutely amazed at how much fun it was to moto vintage bikes.
Everyone should have their favorite vintage bike ready to race. Check out www.ahrma.com and come out to a Vintage National for some unbelievable fun! I hear you never know when a Legend motocross of will show up.