Saturday, October 25, 2014

Hammer and Tongs Round 2 - Vintage Motocross Action

Gather 'round kids to witness photographic proof of Round 2 of the Hammer and Tongs race series.  Vintage race series that is, no modern four strokes to be found.  Revel in the glorious Sights 'N' Sounds of two strokes in motion.  Time capsule motocross examples being exercised in actual dirt.  No static museum pieces here.

This being a four race series, I managed to hit two of 'em.  Pics from the first gig posted here for your amusement.  Unfortunately, I missed the final two events.  So, if you're counting on this ol' blog to score you vintage motocross images from here and beyond, this is it Bunky.  I plan to hit more events next season, maybe even a vintage trials deal to mix things up.  I'd also dig shooting a flat track race, which I've never done. The mind ponders.

The photos posted are steaming fresh, since the race was, uh - last July.  July 5th to be exact, remember it well, since also my birthday. Birthday Boy me shot a vintage car event during the day, then this late afternoon into evening motocross shindig afterwards.  Hours 'N' Hours of walking around and zillions of pics later, Birthday Boy was toast - but happy - turning 53 on the life clock.  Yikes, I'm getting old.

All this action located along the spacious grounds of Pacific Raceways - conveniently located in scenic Kent, Washington.  Book your trip early, operators are standing by.  

Moronic rambling now complete, let's start the festivities with a walk through the pits...





Fantastic late '70s example of all things Yamaha YZ.  Visions of Bob Hannah roosting in my head.  Here it rests on high tech stand, waiting for track duty.  Back in the day, old milk crate being the norm for supporting the race steed.  I've ridden many dirt bikes from this era, but never a YZ.  Maybe someday.  All offers gladly accepted.





1977 Suzuki RM 250 for your viewing pleasure.  Visions of Gerrit Wolsink roosting in my head.  This one resting on the semi-high tech stand, in case you're keeping count.  I dig the earlier alloy RM tanks - this one complete with worn paint - super cool.

My '74 Suzuki TM125 sported the same worn paint pattern, back in '76.  Suzuki TM125 scored used from a friend - after he upgraded to a new Suzuki RM 125 - looking very similar to this RM 250.  Being around these bikes firing off enjoyable memories from within my aging skull.





1978 Suzuki RM 250, this one tricked out with what appear to be Ohlins rear shocks, aftermarket head and pipe.  The fork doesn't look stock either.  Technically, this would be a late '78 model - plastic tank replacing the alloy unit.  The later black rims matching the - uh, stand - look great.  Well kitted bike for sure.





Man, how cool is this?  Time travel van, complete with period correct stickers.  This thing put a smile on my face.  Fire up some Rush and hit the road to the next vintage event, van full of golden era YZs...




Trick looking Penton even makes the porta-potties look good.  Google Blogger pushing photo to the left, due to some unknown formatting glitch. The Amish don't seem to have these problems.





Circa '75 Husqvarna CR 250 leans against low tech stand.  This bike also firing off old school memories, friend of mine owning one back when almost new.




Tour of the pits now over, let's head to the track for some racing.  Low key event and CJ, organizer of this gig, allowing me behind the fence shooting opportunity…





How green it is.  Big bore Kawasaki KX rockets ahead.





Evo class Honda CR 250 wheelies for joy.





Start times posted.  With many folks racing, squeezing everyone in being the organizational challenge.





Evo class of bikes rip towards the first turn.  Vintage doesn't mean slow, especially with the open class bikes.




Warning:  Breaking the rules of way too many shots from the same spot - to give a sample of vintage iron that appear at these events - sorta like a moto history lesson...





Yamaha YZ 465 in flight.  Even today, vintage big bore two strokes still plenty fast and require respect and/or trip to local ER.





Later era Maico still looking good and very red.  Friends of mine owned various Maico models back in the day.  To me, they scream vintage motocross coolness with a serious edge.





Another clean Yamaha YZ 465 grabs some air.  Helmet mounted GoPro recording all for prosperity.





Circa '76 Yamaha YZ cleared for landing.





Yup, another nice Maico in attendance.  





Aluminum coffin tanked Maico lifts off.





Great looking Husqvarna and rider combo in low level flight.





1980 Suzuki RM 400 complete with DeCoster memory number.





Vintage Husqvarna berm action.







Plenty of vintage racing action to gawk at, coming and going.





Mid '70s Honda CR 250 in non-stock white, circulates the course.





CJ, organizer of this shindig - risks life, limb, and camera - roost be damned.  CZ rider providing airborne dirt clods at no extra charge.





Can-Am leaps in front of adoring crowd.  Somewhere in the world, Jimmy Ellis silently nods in approval.





Holy flying tool rack, Batman.  That's a Combat Wombat sailing past the registration shack.





Mid '70s era Kawasaki KX rider lays down the power.  Rear suspension screams in protest.





The little Yamaha MX 100 that could, soon at a children's book store near you.  Rider was really fast on this small bore, limited suspension machine. Fun to watch and proof you don't need serious horsepower to be quick.





CZ touching down.  Local small boy unimpressed.  Film at eleven.





Old school Yamaha MX squares off the corner.





With Dunlop banner, graininess of the photo - replace modern safety gear with period correct - shot could be from 1975.  No?





Eyes on the racer, racer eyes on the next corner.








Insane home brew Yamaha XS 650 motocrosser detonates berms and clears jumps in a single bound.  This racer and bike combination extremely fast and a blast to witness.





1974 Suzuki TM125 brings me back to my high school daze.  Yellow tank and green stripe of goodness.  Pinch me.





Fantastic looking Yamaha TT 500 based project thumps out the power.





Vintage CZ contorts the rear tire and time travel reality.





Maico-no-Breako leans into the vintage scene.





Call the neighbors and wake the kids - vintage racing is actual racing.





Evo class Honda CR and pilot at warp speed.





Mike Bell stopped by for a guest appearance.  Go ahead, don't believe me.





Cool looking KTM in motion.  Circa '77 or so, carbon dating machine currently in the shop.





Not only ran the event, but also raced it.  CJ in action aboard KTM with genuine patina.




Suzuki RM rider stares down the compression dampening aspect of Husqvarna rear suspension.





You take the high line, I'll take the low line, and I'll be at the finish before ya. Everyone sing!





Sun setting, turning this into a night race.  Blinded by the light, revved up like a RM 400, another racer in the night.





Evel Knievel lines it up for the ramp.  Linda Evans camera at the ready.





Vintage Yamaha MX living up to its namesake.





Jump into the night.





Kids also experiencing the fun, vintage bike not required.




If you made it to the end of this post, congrats - you either really dig vintage motocross, raced the actual event, or currently wasting time at work.  Whatever the reason, thanks for checking it out.  These vintage events are fun to attend and I suggest you find one nearby soon. Interesting bikes mixed with racing action, like minded folks to chat with, and memory generators in 3D.  Shooting photos of it all just icing on the cake.

Speaking of cake, Birthday Boy scored just that upon arrival home.  Family waiting patiently while I spent the day outside with camera in hand. I'm a lucky boy.

And with that, time to pull the plug on this long winded post.  Until next time...


Saturday, October 18, 2014

SOVREN Pacific Northwest Historics 2014

In my quest to keep folks updated with the latest breaking news, I now present some shots I grabbed last July.  Yes, the Internet sometimes moves at glacial speeds, especially with me at the controls.

Okay then, I attended the SOVREN Pacific Northwest Historics one afternoon of the three day shindig held over July 4th weekend.  I've hit this event at least three times now, if aging memory serves me correct.  Always a cool collection of vintage race cars to watch in action buzzing the road course at Pacific Raceways.  Total access in the pit area as the added bonus to view cars close up, and chat with folks about 'em.  A good day out for sure.

Without further ado, a sample of the Pile-O-Pics I shot wandering about under the summer sun...







BMW 2002 spotted in the pit area.  Usual BMW 2002 look at the nose, hatchback at the rear - which I've never seen before.  Either it's rare or I just need to get out more.





Levitating Lola.





Minty green BRP that I've spotted at previous SOVREN events.  Certainly worth a revisit.





I've also seen this car previously.  Wasn't sure exactly what it was then and still don't now.  Guess I'm a slow learner.  Great era for race cars however.





Add this to my collection of don't know what it is.  What I do know, is that it looks fantastic - as do many vintage era racers.





Fiat Brava on display, catching my old school Fiat eye.  I owned a succession of used Fiats in the '80s - including a Fiat 131 - similar model before the Brava.





Vintage Kellison, not exactly something you see everyday.





My pal Dave's '60s Datsun Roadster.  Unrestored and the occasional driver.  Dave offered to let me pilot around the road course during the lunch hour parade lap.  Cool fun and added to the day.


Caution:  Series of Pan 'N' Blur photos from the same track location, boredom or drowsiness may occur...





Formula 5000 racer in action.  But you already knew that.





Minty BRP previously spotted static in pits, now in combat.





Unknown yellow car previously spotted static in pits, now in combat.





We now interrupt the Pan 'N' Blur series for this cool VW bus, complete with Safari windows.









The Ford Mustang was the featured marque for this years event, with many nice examples circulating the track at speed.





The words fast and Studebaker don't often go together.  Exception shown here.





Very cool Ford GT in flight.





Race prepped Jaguar graces the course.





Formula V rests in pit area.  V for Volkswagen, the beam front suspension giving it away.





Twin BMW 2002s or double vision in progress.





Alfa Romeo red under white.





Clean Porsche 911 beams from the pits.





Lotus Super 7, bare bones as it gets - almost like a 4 wheeled motorcycle.  I've always wanted one.





Assembly required.





Take your protein pill and put your helmet on.





That be red.  That be a 911.  That be nice.





Air filters optional.





Corvette poaches the Ferrari camp.





Alfa Romeo in Gulf racing colors.





Red Alfa and red backdrop.  Momma mia.





Race prepped Fiat 124 Coupe.  Don't see that everyday.







1966 Marcos.  Interesting car, complete with plywood chassis.  Yes, plywood.





Full race Volvo.  Stickers as proof.





Bug eye blue.





Formula V waiting to roll.





Modern Ford GT looking splendid.  I'd take one, please send money.





Wink and a smile.





Gaggle of Mustangs on display.





Super clean 2002 spotting in parking lot.





Race prepped - or at least sticker'd out - Mercury Cougar.





Nicely done VW bug to ponder.





Serious looking Porsche 914.  I'd dig one of the these.





Very clean 911 in parking lot wishes me farewell.




And with that, my day at Pacific Raceways ended.  Previous SOVREN events had me attempting to grab more race action pics.  This year my visit was a bit shorter and I mostly just cruised the pit area.  Even so, I do enjoy this event and pencil it in for every July.

I suggest you do the same…