Events

The biggest vintage bash of the year

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days wrapped-up Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington. The three-day event, now in its seventeenth year, drew tens of thousands of fans of antique and classic motorcycles.

Highlights included the largest vintage motorcycle swap meet in North America, a full slate of vintage racing presented by the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA), four bike shows and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Auction.

Triumph was honored as the 2008 Marque of the Year with a retrospective display of the British company’s machines and a special bike show honoring café racers. In addition, legendary Triumph competitors Gene Romero and Bill Baird were on hand all weekend long to greet fans and sign autographs.

The North American Laverda Owners Club also put on a special display featuring a variety of the sporting Italian machines, including an ultra-rare V-6 race bike from 1977.

Stay tuned for more of the best of VMD.

Swapmeet™, presented by Motorcyclist Retro magazine, featured more than 35 acres of bikes, parts and memorabilia.

Co-Grand Marshal Gene Romero (left) and David Aldana catch-up on old times at the Vintage Dirt Track race in Ashland, OH.

Indianapolis natives Ambr Milakovic and father Mick at Sunday's vintage motocross.

Dustin Plunkett marketing his 1964 Yamaha in the swap meet.

Triumphs, old and new, were out in force at VMD.

Admiring a twin-engined land speed record bike in the Triumph display tent.

Saturday night's AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum auction attracted quite a crowd...

...as did Jay Leno's Y2K jet-powered bike, which took to the track duing Saturday's lunch break.

Another favorite was the Motosphere, featuring fourth-generation motorcycle daredevil Melvin Urias and fellow rider Olga "Loca" Sumnina.

The lean, mean, Harley-powered Mr. Hosepower dragbike won Best in Show in Saturday's AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Bike Show.

Bob Wark campaigned his 1940 BSA in Sunday's vintage trials event.

Triumph factory stunt rider Kevin Carmichael kept fans entertained throughout the weekend.

The action kept going well into the night at the vintage dirt track races.

Flat Track champ Jay Springsteen hit the Mid-Ohio course aboard a vinatge Harley-Davidson roadracer.

New this year was a vintage cross country event.

Co-Grand Marshal Bill Baird signs autographs at the Motorhead Café.

The Laverda Classic Club Display brought together a remarkable collection of the Italian machines.

Randy Baxter (second from right) appraises a Vetter Hurricane at the Vintage Triumph Roadshow while Craig Vetter (left) and Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Director Mark Mederski (second from left) look on.