Page 34 - Laconia Rally News 2018

FIM NORTH AMERICA VINTAGE ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO NHMS JUNE 9-10
New Hampshire Motor Speedway will once again N
host the FIM North America Vintage Road Race Championships on its 1.6 mile road course. The fastest vintage racers from across the US and Canada will com- pete at this internationally sanctioned event. What is vin- tage? Basically all the race machines competing were manufactured prior to 1994 with the oldest race bikes dat- ing back into the 1930’s. Make no mistake, the races are not just a parade of old bikes but rather it is all out elbow to elbow racing at speeds exceeding 130 mph for the fastest machines.
The old Indian and Harley race machines from the 1930’s and 40’s are a must see as they are all tank shifters and use riged frames. No rear suspension means that sliding these old machines was the normal. You can’t dial in the rear suspension if there is none. This throw back in time racing can only be appreciated by actually seeing them in action.
Of Additional note are the fabulous vintage sidecars where the passenger (monkey) hangs off the sidecar scraping their shoulder on the ground to act as ballast for the machine. Without that passenger ballast balancing the outfit, the sidecar would instantly flip over in a turn. Most of the passengers are women...some wives, some girl- friends and other just speed thrill seekers.
The heart of the vintage racers are the machines from the 1960’ through mid 1980’s.
Use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s T- CLOCS method to inspect your bike: Check Tires, Controls, Lights, Oils and fluids, Chassis and Stand to make sure everything is working properly before you hit the road. Check on these things regularly during your trip, too.
Here the old British machines like Triumph and BSA still compete on par against the new wave of Japanese multi cylinder bikes of the 1970’s.
Admission to the races allows all spectators to park inside the NASCAR oval, wander the garages and have free access to the grandstands. Races are run rain or shine. #
Inspect your motorcycle.
Action at NH Motor Speedway!
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Tip #2
Photo Courtesy: NHMS
Photo Courtesy: NHMS
Photo Courtesy: NHMS