Ton Up NC: vintage motocross

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Shh, White Lightnin'

Chad fires up the BSA 441 for the first time in 2014.

...or so the late George Jones lyric goes. Since 2009 the American Historic Motorcycle Racing Association (AHRMA) has held one of the East Coast's best kept secrets: The Carolinas White Lightening Cross Country Classic. The race has been held for the past several years in Chester, SC and is one of the highlights of the AHRMA vintage cross country calendar. The course is a great combination of single track trails, fire roads and grass track as it zig-zags in and out of the woods on the South Carolina farmland. Ton Up NC members have particapted in the event for most of its history and it typically signals the beginning of the racing year for most of us. What follows is a quick glimpse at what you've been missing out on if you've never attended. This year the event is scheduled for March 12 and 13, 2016. More info. here.

Jim and his Triumph T25T

The starting line.

Ton Up NC's Eric P. gets the hole shot on his Honda Elsinore MT250 (unfortunately, the Elsie blew up after a lap)

Camp Ton Up Chester, SC.

Talking shop with Malcom Smith's former mechanic.

The post-race steak dinner.

Chad takes home first place and hold's Scott's "Cool Bike" award for his AJS (pictured above).

Ton Up NC = Riding, Racing and Restoration of Vintage Motorcycles.

If you would like to be a support our mission and the annual Bull City Rumble Vintage Motorcycle show, please visit our webstore and purchase a shirt, poster, patch or sticker.

Ton Up NC webstore: tonup.bigcartel.com

Saturday, July 5, 2014

AHRMA Racing: McKee's Sky Ranch WV 2013

Chad's Penton.

The AHRMA race at McKee's Sky Ranch has been an annual favorite for the past two years. In July, the cool mountain air of West Virginia is a welcome change from the heat and humidity that North Carolina is experiencing at the same time 400 miles south. But thats not all, the folks at McKee's Sky Ranch have put together a total package of amazing terrain for vintage dirt enthusiasts. The yearly two day race includes vintage/post vintage cross country, vintage/post vintage trials, vintage/post vintage motocross as well as a vintage bike show/swap meet. For those of you who are not vintage racers, the event also includes a dual sport ride for motorcycles of all ages. The 5 mile cross country course has it all: fast service roads, stream crossings, hill climbs and some challenging tight woods sections. The crown jewel of the event is the motocross course, designed by the legendary Dick Mann in 2012, the natural terrain track is a vintage speed demon's dream with naturally banked turns, humps, bumps and did I mention its fast? This year's event is scheduled for July 24-27, and you can be sure you'll see us all there. Jack Penton of Penton Motorcycles and Ken Smith from the Australia based VMX magazine are scheduled to make appearances this year. If you decide to roll on up, down or across to the event, be sure to look for the Ton Up NC banner and stop by and say, "howdy." Until then, check out these pics from 2013...