Vintage bike riders compete at Perris

PERRIS — Saturday, June 16, saw the return of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) to the Perris Raceway for regional competitions. Old-school riders got a chance to show their stuff on bikes that were state-of-the-art when they were teenagers.

“Most of these guys are out here riding bikes that they rode when they were in high school,” said Mark Arsenault, AHRMA Southwest Coordinator. The yearly event is a nod to the past, with riders on vintage bikes from 1974 to 1982 competing in different classes. Several hundred riders and spectators were on hand to watch the more “mature” riders go at it. “Old guys enjoying old bikes,” said Arsenault when asked to summarize the day’s events. “Average age is about 45 years old. We have a 70-plus class and last year we had a guy who was 91 years old. He raced a 400-mile race with his team and the average age was 70.”

The race is a cooperative effort of the AHRMA and several other vintage motocross organizations. Arsenault and David Boydstun of Arizona Vintage Racing Association were on hand, as were riders and representatives from other organizations.

“We rode here in the very first race ever run for motocross in 1970,” said Boydstun, who made the trip from Arizona to call the action live over the PA system.

The Perris track required modification to accommodate the older machines, which have much less suspension and cannot withstand the pounding that modern bikes can. Race coordinators praised the Perris Raceway staff for their hard work and attention to detail in getting the track ready, helping to make the race a success.

Vintage motocross racing is rapidly gaining popularity around the nation. Often, the entries include former professional riders. For more information on events at the Perris Raceway visit http://www.perrisraceway.com.