AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

AMA Racing, the amateur racing department of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), is bringing a number of enhancements to the motocross track for the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days featuring Kawasaki, Marque of the Year, this July 22-24 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Joe Bromley (AMA Director of Racing) says: "The AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships attracts bikes from the 1950s to the beginning of the modern era, and everything in between.

"Our track needs to challenge the new bikes while staying historically authentic. Improvements planned for 2011 will strike the right balance so that everyone will have a demanding track to race on."

Bromley added that one factor driving the changes to the motocross track is the addition of non-current classes to the program. The 122cc-Open class will allow bikes sold as pre-1997 models. It will have A and B/C divisions.

Joe Bromley says: "Time marches on, and the non-current classes are our way of opening the doors of the AMA Vintage Grand Championships to bikes that may not be competitive with current technology but are advanced beyond the traditional vintage category.

"We don't want any bike left sitting in a garage or shed unused somewhere just because there's nowhere to race it. We encourage riders to come out and support these non-current classes and battle for the podium."

AMA Racing is working with Bart Newman and Jeff Beerbower, the owners of Log Road MX Park in Coldwater, Mich., to design, build and maintain the track during the event. Bromley said that Newman and Beerbower are experienced track builders and understand both the science and art of creating a thrilling motocross course for bikes of all eras.

Joe Bromley says: "Although the design isn't finalized, man-made obstacles will include off-cambers, berms, jumps, rollers and other enhancements that will leverage the natural terrain of the motocross area at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. We'll also have a modified starting procedure that will keep things fair while still allowing for a quickly moving program for multiple class starts."

In addition to Saturday's vintage motocross program, riders in Friday's hare scrambles race will also compete on the new track as part of their off-road loop through the woods course. For Sunday's post-vintage and non-current classes, the obstacles will be made even more challenging for the newer bikes.

All entry proceeds from the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships are donated to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving the heritage of motorcycle competition and the motorcycling lifestyle. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio.

Both online entry and downloadable PDF entry forms, along with complete rules and classes, are available at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com > Race Your Vintage Bike.

In addition to class entry, competitors must also purchase a ticket to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for access to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course facility. Tickets to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days can be purchased online at MidOhio.com.