welcome to the AHRMA Mag

EDITOR

Steph Vetterly ahrmamag@ahrma.org

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Arthur Kowitz, Paula Kyle-Stephens, Jim Doyle, Richard Brodock, Nick Ienatsch, Steph Vetterly, Mitch Boehm, AMA, William Robinson

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS

OXYmoron Photography, etechphoto.com, Sharon Bean, Dave Friedman / Don Emde Collection, Superbike Photography, Paula KyleStephens, Mike Gorrono, Steph Vetterly, Moe Photography, Eddie Rapidphoto, Nick Ienatsch, Speedwerks, TheSBimage.com, MotorcycleClassics.com, Alex McLean, Kevin McIntosh, Jim Dohms

ADVERTISING

Jim Doyle jim.doyle@ahrma.org

PUBLISHER

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association

ADDRESS

8913 Town and Country Circle #1093 Knoxville, TN 37923

PHONE

888-41AHRMA

(888) 412-4762

COVER -

(L-R) Nobby Clark, Alex McLean, Cindy McLean standing behind a 1937 Norton Manx, aka “The Old Boy;” Champagne Bob Racing, 2015 Daytona.

Photo courtesy of Cindy McLean

AHRMA MAG is published ten times a year by the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American copyright conventions. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. AHRMA MAG is printed in the United States of America. The articles contained in this magazine are works of journalism and do not represent the opinions or ideas of AHRMA MAG. AHRMA MAG and the publisher assume no responsibility for the content of advertisements. While we welcome submissions, the magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Please do not send originals.

From The Editor

As I write this, the racing season has already begun. Be sure to keep an eye out in our May issue for some insight on the first of the racing action for 2023.

For this issue, however, we wanted to take a different approach, focusing more on the bikes and people in AHRMA. We take a look at what some of our members are doing during their off-season, get an inside look at the 1937 Norton Manx raced by Alex McLean, and talk with Becky Hayes as she looks to retire from her Cross Country Coordinator position at the end of this season.

Moving forward, I want to continue focusing on these aspects of AHRMA. While I love a good race report as much as the next person, it’s the people and the bikes that make this organization great, and what better place to showcase them?

I’ve been in discussion with many team members on how we can make this happen, and we already have steps in place. I want to get you guys involved more as well. We’ll be utilizing the media@ahrma.org email address more for this type of communication, so if you have a cool story you’d like to tell, or a bike you’d like to share with us, or an awesome bike collection you think others would appreciate, send us an email and let’s get the conversation started!

see you on the track!

Thanks to everyone who subscribes and looks forward to each issue.

We at AHRMA MAG want to hear from our readership. We’d like to know how we’re doing.

Send us feedback and comments about your favorite stories and columns, likes and dislikes and what you’d enjoy seeing in future issues. Keep it under 250 words and we’ll try and include your comments in the next issue: ahrmamag@ahrma.org

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

Craig Grantham, Executive Director email: executive.director@ahrma.org

8913 Town and Country Circle #1093 Knoxville, TN 37923

MEMBERSHIP

Jennifer and Dan Thornton email: membership@ahrma.org 433 Caroline St Janesville, WI 53545

COMMUNICATIONS

Cindy McLean email: communications@ahrma.org

RACE DIRECTORS

ROAD RACE DIRECTOR - Al Charles email: roadrace.director@ahrma.org

OFF-ROAD DIRECTOR - Terry McPhillips email: offroad.director@ahrma.org

DIRT TRACK DIRECTOR - Richard Brodock email: dirt.track@ahrma.org

RACE COORDINATORS

CROSS COUNTRY COORDINATOR

Becky Hayes email: becky77m@yahoo.com

NATIONAL TRIALS COORDINATOR

Debbie Poole email: pooleschl1@hotmail.com

EASTERN TRUSTEES

Carl Anderson - ahrma79@gmail.com

Mike Dixon - michael.dixon@ahrma.org

James Korn - jim.korn@ahrma.org

Arthur Kowitz (Treasurer) - dbsuperbiker@gmail.com

David Rutherford - david.rutherford@ahrma.org

Tim Terrell - tim.terrell@ahrma.org

WESTERN TRUSTEES

Al Anderberg - al.anderberg@ahrma.org

Brian Larrabure (Chairman) - chairman@ahrma.org

Albert Newmann - newmann.albert@gmail.com

Luke Sayer - sayerlu@gmail.com

Kelly Shane (Secretary) - kelly.ahrma@gmail.com

Greg Tomlinson - speedymagoo5@gmail.com

OPEN LETTER - Executive Director, Craig Grantham, gives us a peak behind the AHRMA curtain.

NEWSWORTHY - Lots of new announcements for the upcoming season, with special challenges in Dirt Track, Road Racing, and an opportunity to be the next Dick Mann!

ARTHUR KOWITZ’S CORNER - Newly-appointed Headmaster, Arthur Kowitz, talks about things that might be holding you back - things that could prevent you from getting on that podium.

AHRMA LEGACY PROGRAM - Have you ever wanted to get out on the dirt track with that rare or collectible bike you have in storage? Well, here’s your chance.

2024 RULES CHANGE PROPOSAL PROCESS - Rules Chair, Kevin Burns, walks us through the process of submitting new rules and revisions for the 2024 racing season.

MEMBER ARCHIVES - We take a trip back in time with three AHRMA members.

WINTER ARENA RIDE - Paula Kyle-Stephens takes us to the new Rt 62 Arena to catch up with some AHRMA members as they prep for the upcoming season.

GETTING THERE - Jim Doyle meets with Mike Gorrono to understand more about this member’s unique skills and passion for motorcycles.

DIRT TRACK 101 - AHRMA Dirt Track Director, Richard Brodock, gives us a lesson about his favorite discipline.

THE SPEEDWERKS RACEBIKE STARTER KIT - Join Nick Ienatsch on his journey to get a race bike of his very own!

POP POP POP - We talk with Alex McLean about his ticket to go racing - a 1937 Norton Manx, owned by Rob McKeever.

LIVING THE CROSS COUNTRY LIFE - Join us as we interview Cross Country Coordinator, Becky Hayes, about a very important decision she’s made.

MAKING HISTORY IN THE AGE OF COVID - Take a look back at the return of Riding Into History after 2020.

AHRMA NATIONAL & REGIONAL SCHEDULES

SWAP MEET & MARKETPLACE

Racing is a great pursuit. The thrill and exhilaration that comes from beating others who are highly talented and trying their very best to beat you…it’s hard to explain. We pay a price to live this life. The work, the commitment, the blood, sweat and tears of driving towards an annual championship… never mind the expense.

Racing means different things to different people. Some simply enjoy the experience of the racing environment and the camaraderie of paddock life and seeing old friends. Others are “ALL IN” and push for #1 in every race. One thing we all have in common, and should, is the desire to go home – SAFE – at the end of every race weekend. Many of you have seen the funny “Safety Third” T-shirts and stickers. That said, the safety of our riders must be at the top of the list for every AHRMA race, and racer. This is an initiative I am committed to in 2023. That we will do all we can – as we have in the past – to ensure our racing events are both fun and safe. If there are things we can do to improve our safety at events – regardless of discipline – we want to know it. Please share your thoughts with the appropriate Race Director if you feel we can provide an even higher level of safety. As racers, there are ways we can improve our personal safety as well. Education, gear, maintenance, skills, conditions, etc. You can all probably remember the one “miracle save” that you pulled off. But luck is not a strategy –planning is.

How is your gear for 2023? Could you use a new set of boots / gloves, protective gear for Off Road or Dirt Track? Are your Road Racing leathers