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If I said you should try motorcycle racing, you might think of cut-throat competition that costs a ton of money. But what if motorcycle racing meant having fun with great people and doing it on the cheap?
For me, that's vintage off-road racing. Specifically, I race AHRMA XC, which stands for American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association — Cross Country, which basically means hare scrambles on old dirt bikes.
The race seasons run from April through October and consist of 10 races total. Bikes permitted are divided into vintage (pre-1975) and post vintage (1975-1999) and there are classes based on displacement or rider age, featuring novice, intermediate and expert divisions for each class. Tracks are usually three to five miles long and offer a wide range of trail conditions, from woods single-track, grass-track and two-track woods roads. All races are one hour. We typically get in about four or five laps, which results in a pretty gnarly 20 miles or so.
Here's why I love it.
Reason one: It's cheap
Tons of old dirt bikes can be found in good working order for $1,500 or less. We do not race on public roads so no lights or plates are needed. I paid $700 for my 1972 Triumph, which I raced for three years, after investing a little more money and time rebuilding it. For the current season, I picked up a ‘74 Yamaha MX175 in ready-to-run condition for $1,500 that another guy raced just last season. Typically, gate fees are $10 and race entry is $30. These fees usually include free camping, port-o-johns, a concession stand and a challenging well marked course along with all the staff you would expect at a “normal” motorcycle race.
Reason two: Great people
As one would expect, old bikes draw in some older riders. Not only do these folks know a lot more about these vintage bikes than you could ever imagine, most of them have been racing longer than the rest of us have been walking. I have learned so much from my fellow racers, not just about mechanical stuff, but also racing techniques, as well. The best bit of advice another, more experienced, racer has given me was “Don’t stall. Don’t fall.” You would be surprised how hard it is to follow these two simple rules! I’ve seen racers lend tools, parts and even entire bikes to one another just to be sure someone was able to make it to the starting line. The camaraderie in the pits of an AHRMA race is unmatched.
Reason three: The races are challenging
I have raced both vintage and modern hare scrambles and cannot say I noticed a difference between the difficulty of the terrain. These races are not easy, by any means. The main difference is that the vintage bikes have worse suspension and brakes than modern ones so you have to adjust your riding style accordingly. There are plenty of parts and upgrades available for vintage bikes to make them faster or more reliable, but you certainly have to be in tune with your machine. Being a decent mechanic could mean the difference between getting the checkered flag or being towed back to the pits.
Reason four: The glory
The competition is very real. Your heart will pound as the flagman gives you the 10-second warning at the starting line. You will bang handlebars as you fight for the holeshot. You will feel the buzz of another racer's front tire on your boot as they try to take an inside line on a tight single-track turn. You will battle your way up slick muddy hills in a downpour. You will laugh and high-five your racing buddies after the checkered flag, hoping you earned some more points to count toward your year-end awards. If you do well enough in your class, you will be able to attend the AHRMA awards banquet, which includes a nice dinner, famous guest speakers, door prizes, a number plate with your name and class and even a jacket with your name and class embroidered on it. Talk about bragging rights!
Reason five: Projects for the off-season
Once the race season ends in the fall, it is time to get to work fixing your bike or scoring another one. Winter is a great time to check out some local swap meets like the annual Potomac Vintage Riders swap meet and bike show near me. It is a great opportunity to catch up with your fellow racers and score some parts to fix up your machine. Outside of the swap meets, everyone usually keeps in touch, helping each other with information and parts to prepare for the upcoming race season to start all over again in the spring.
If woods racing isn't your thing, there are AHRMA events for other motorcycle racing disciplines, such as road racing, motocross, flat track and trials. While some events have been canceled or postponed this year, others, like the one I just raced, are still going on. It's possible to keep your social distance when you're racing through the woods.
If you are looking for a little more excitement in your two-wheeled world, pick up a cheap older dirt bike and get out to your local AHRMA XC races. You will probably have a ridiculously good time while making some new friends and learning a lot along the way.
