In late May, I attended the West Virginia Racing Heritage Festival, a dirt track riders (and stock car owners) reunion at a storied old race track called Pennsboro Speedway, about 40 miles southeast of Parkersburg, West Virginia. The motorcycle side of the event was put together by author and motorcycle racing historian Greg Pearson. It was approachably casual, and the two-day event created an opportunity for old racers, men and women, AMA pro licensed racers, to hang out with each other and reconnect. Through the “panel discussion” format, each rider shared with the audience a range of experiences from their heyday in riding AMA professional racing, the Grand National Championships of the 1960s through the 1980s. It was a great refresh on racing from about 40 to 50 years ago and included about 20 sharp race bikes.
To look at these old racers, well, they look like anyone else you would see on the street these days. Just older men and women. But this event, putting old racing buddies and their fans together, set the stage for them to awaken their memories and bring up stories typically quiet, so to speak, and hang out with their people.
I bring this to you because, as you travel through motorcycling situations this summer, autumn, and winter, even next year, and get around “old racers,” consider honoring them with a few questions that might awaken some racing experiences, stories about motorcycles they loved, and even times they slid into the hay bales, dusted off, and rejoined the race.
I can’t really put my finger on it, but professional racing has changed and become polished. Think about a simple thing like number plates you see in old photos; electrical tape, hand painted or cut vinyl… what did old racers use in their day? Their “transporter” was often an Econoline van they also slept in… probably not an 18-wheeler. Or, if you get around a rider well over 70 years of age, ask them what it was like up to the late 1960s when dirt track bikes were brakeless, then suddenly riders or their tuners could add a rear brake per a 1969 AMA rule change related to two-stroke race bikes and compression releases they often used. Or ask if they still have their steel shoe, and where they got their first one. You will likely hear from the depths of their memories, and they’ll likely be glad you asked and happy to share.
At face value, it’s tough to know about someone’s life experiences, recent or past. “What are you working on today, ” or “What kind of bikes do you work with,” are always good ways to show respect and get some conversation started. You never can tell….
