Roadracer

February 9th, 2010

Alex McLean

  • Racing Type/Class: Vintage Road Racing
  • Team Name: Norton Champagne Racing, Bob Blakely Racing
  • Racing Organization: AHRMA
  • Class(es): Pre ’40s C; Classic 60’s; SOS 2-Stroke; Premier 500; & Formula 125
  • Bio: Alex started in the early 1970’s in the French National series 125cc and 250cc gp. AHRMA racing from mid 1980’s on and has even compteted in the Isle of Mann. Alex can jump from a 4 stroke to a 2 stroke, left ,right opposite up and down shifting patterns and win back to back races. Smooth and respectful with machinery. Loves to ride in the wet. Most bikes raced are authentic and genuine road racers from their era, owned by different collectors and enthousiasts who want to see and hear them on the race tracks. Alex is supported by a dream team composed of collectors enthousiasts and over flowing with history, personal racing and mechanical back grounds, some top mechanics of their era. This team includes: Bob McKeever, Bob Blakey, Nobby Clark, Maurice Candy, Joe Clemens, and Rob Mckeever.
  • Accomplishments: Isle of Man 1998: 2nd in Newcomers class (Honda VFR 400 and CBR 600); 2001 AHRMA triple championship winner, Pre 40, Class C, Classic 60’s; 2009, 2010 AHRMA quadruple championship winner: Pre ’40s, Class C, Classic 60’s, Sound of Single 2-Stroke
  • Bike Brand(s): Norton Manx’s: pre 1940 through short stroke featherbed 1960’s. Honda 2 and 4-Stroke. Yamaha TD2, TD3, TZ
  • Front Tire(s): F2, GPs, AM26 Roadriders
  • Rear Tires(s): AM26 Roadriders
  • Other Sponsors:Arai Helmets, Morris oil, Vanson Leathers, Macintosh racing, England, Andy Molnar, Stu Rogers

Don Emde

Don Emde

  • Racing Type/Class: Vintage
  • Team Name: Team Obsolete
  • Racing Organization: AMA
  • Class(es): Vintage
  • Bio: With his victory in the 1972 Daytona 200, Don Emde became the first son of a former Daytona 200 winner to win the Florida classic. Emde’s father, Floyd, accomplished the feat in 1948 on an Indian. Don came back and won the race 24 years later. To date, the Emdes are the only father and son to have won the Daytona 200. After his racing career, Don Emde went on to become author of “Daytona 200,” the authoritative book on the history of America’s most famous motorcycle race.
  • Accomplishments: don launched a magazine called Motorcycle Collector and immersed himself into the world of historic motorcycles. He acquired a large collection of memorabilia and historic racing photographs. In 1990, Emde became an author, writing a well-received book on the history of the Daytona 200. In the early 1990’s, Emde joined the board of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation and became a leading voice in the preservation of motorcycling history, especially pertaining to racing. Don was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.
  • Bike Brand(s): BSA
  • Bike model(s): vintage
  • Bike Features: old
  • Front Tire(s): AM20 Size(s): 100/90-19
  • Rear Tires(s): AM18 Size(s): 100/90-19

Larry Tate

Larry Tate

  • Racing Type/Class: Vintage Road Racing
  • Team Name: Wolf Timers & Fuelers
  • Racing Organization: Vintage Road Racing Association, Occasionally RACE & Parts Canada Superbike Series
  • Class(es): VRRA P4 & P3 … bikes up to 1989, various displacements
  • Bio: Larry Tate, motorcycle journalist in Canada since 1978, racer since 1982. History of WERA endurance races, then many classes in Canadian vintage competition, also national Canadian Thunder series (similar to Battle of the Twins in the U.S.)
  • Accomplishments: Many podiums in WERA and VRRA, stories and articles about racing in many Canadian print and online outlets
  • Bike Brand(s): Suzuki & Yamaha
  • Bike model(s): 1977 Suzuki GS550 and 1985 Yamaha FZ750
  • Bike Features: Quick and good-handling, rather unusual and both a bit of an underdog in class, so more fun to ride
  • Front Tire(s): Suzuki AM20 & Yamaha AM26 Road Rider Size(s): Suzuki 90/90H19, Yamaha 120/80-16
  • Rear Tires(s): Suzuki AM22, Yamaha AM26 Road Rider Size(s): Suzuki 110/80VB18, Yamaha 140/70-18

Mark Harrison
Mark Harrison

  • Racing Type/Class: Vintage Road Racing
  • Team Name: N/A
  • Racing Organization: WERA
  • Class(es): Vintage 2 class
  • Bio: Mark has been riding motorcycles for 34 years, racing for 22. A one man team, he not only races his bike but handles all set up and repairs himself.
  • Accomplishments: 2008 WERA Nat’l Vintage Series V2 Champion
  • Bike Brand(s): Yamaha
  • Bike model(s): 1980 SR500
  • Bike Features: Avon tires, Megacycle cam, Wiseco piston, R/D Valve springs, ported head, 40mm Mikuini carb, electronic ignition, RaceTech emulators and springs
  • Front Tire(s): AM23 Size(s): 110/80B18
  • Rear Tires(s): AM23 Size(s): 110/65B18

Richard Oldakowski
Richard Oldakowski

  • Racing Type/Class: Road Racing Vintage
  • Team Name: N/A
  • Racing Organization: WERA
  • Class(es): Vintage 2 Class
  • Bio: Richard has been racing in various forms for over 24 years.
  • Accomplishments: 2007 WERA V2 Nat’l Champion; 2006 WERA V2 Nat’l Champion
  • Bike Brand(s): Yamaha
  • Bike model(s): 1979 SR500
  • Bike Features: Avon tires, Megacycle cam, Wiseco piston, R/D valve springs, ported head, 40mm Mikuni carb, electronic ignition, RaceTech fork springs
  • Front Tire(s): AM23 Size(s): 110/80B18
  • Rear Tires(s): AM23 Size(s): 130/65B18

Stunt Rider

February 9th, 2010

Ernie Vigil
Ernie “EDUB” Vigil

  • Racing Type/Class: Street Freestyle
  • Team Name: Empire
  • Racing Organization: XDL & IMSRA
  • Class(es): Professional Freestyle
  • Bio: Ernie hails from the desert wastelands of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He began riding at the age of 7 and what started out as doing wheelies for bragging rights with friends ended up turning into a full time career. Street freestyle has now consumed his life. Only happy when the bike is bouncing off the limiter, his style can be best described as aggression, absolute aggression.
  • Accomplishments: 2008 4th Place Individual Freestyle XDL; 2007 1st Place Team WSRA; 2007 1st Place Team XDL Finals; 2007 1st Place Individual Freestyle XDL Best of the West
  • Bike Brand(s): Kawasaki
  • Bike model(s): (2) 2003 ZX636
  • Bike Features: Avon Tyres, Freestyle Ingenuity cage and clip ons, FMF Exhaust, Racing 905 round bar and subcage, GPR stabilizer, HoHey handbrake, Galespeed rims
  • Rear Tires(s): AV56 Storm ST Size(s): 180/55R17
  • Other Sponsors:Icon, Monster Energy

Nick Brocha
Nick “Apex” Brocha

  • Racing Type/Class: Street Freestyle
  • Team Name: Empire
  • Racing Organization: XDL & IMSRA
  • Class(es): Professional Freestyle
  • Bio: Residing in Las Vegas, Nick uses the dry climate for year round riding/training. With 2 years as a professional rider Nick has solidified himself as a high ranking freestyle competitor. Having numerous international appearances and a strong 2008 season you can expect to see him traveling with his Avon teammate, Ernie Vigil, on their quest for dominance in the exciting sport of Street Freestyle!
  • Accomplishments: 2008 XDL Individual Freestyle Champion
  • Bike Brand(s): Kawasaki
  • Bike model(s): 2004 636
  • Bike Features: Avon Tyres, Tygershark crash protection, HoHey designs handbrake, Galespeed Wheels, custom subcage, custom clip ons, 60 tooth rear sprocket, easy pull clutch, oversized radiator w/ dual fans, late model Kawasaki forks and triple clamp, custom rear seat, aftermarket rear sets, HH brake pads, SK freestyle round bar
  • Front Tire(s): AV59 VP2 Xtreme Size(s): 120/70R17
  • Rear Tires(s): AV56 Storm ST Size(s): 180/55R17
  • Other Sponsors:Icon, Monster Energy

Drag Racer

February 9th, 2010

Verl Smith
Verl “Smitty” Smith

  • Racing Type/Class: Drag Racing
  • Team Name: Verl Smith Racing for Vets
  • Racing Organization: AHDRA
  • Class(es): AHDRA Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Chaampionship Series
  • Bio: Very Smith Racing for V.E.T.S. is a dedicated team of professionals with 32 years of substantial technical and racing experience. Verl has run a very successful 14 years of racing in the AHDRA (All Harley Drag Racing Association) and more importantly, has qualified in the quick eight at each event. Smitty is a first-class professional racer and keeps a professional image and attitude both on and off the track.
  • Accomplishments: 2008 Best 1/4 Mile- 8.91 @ 150.66 mph; 2008 1st place Western Division / 6th place national AHDRA; 2008 1st place Stirgis SD AHDRA; 2008 1st place Lonestar Nationals @ Dallas, TX; 2007 Ranked #1 Western, #5 Nat’l; 2006 Ranked #2 Western, #5 Nat’l AHDRA; 2006 Best 1/4 mile- 9.22 seconds @ 149.89 mph
  • Bike Brand(s): Harley Davidson
  • Bike model(s): 2005 Street Pro
  • Bike Features: 138 CI Big Twin with Stinger Engine, Pro Stock Alum Rod, 180+ Ft. LBs. Torque, CP Pistons and Rings, Automotive balancing flywheels, 220+ rear wheel horsepower, R/T Performance, Stinger Engines
  • Front Tire(s): AV59 Viper sport Size(s): 110/70R17
  • Rear Tires(s): Mickey Thompson Drag Size(s): N/A