Back from Barber Vintage Weekend

Well, the 1st calendar deadline was met. I took the Cannonball bike to Barber, running!! My monthly calendar has some specific dated deadlines, one consisted of taking the complete motorcycle to Barber Vintage Festival and ride it on the race track after we completed the Century Lap. What an Awesome experience of riding a motorcycle on the Barber Motorsports Race Track!

Saturday, we had Tech Inspection on the paddock for all of the Century Lap riders. We have a team of club members who inspect the 100 year old machines. My riders this year were Dale & Matt Walksler, Paul Ousey, Ronnie Cox, John Menefee, Joe Gardella, Kevin Grubb, Jack wells, & Dan Fluegeman . This years start was the finest one we have ever had in the nine years.

 

Then, our checkered flag finish was the highlight on the event! John Menefee was riding a 1913 Indian twin and in the lead. Dale Walksler was right behind him. I raised the checkered flag as they were coming to the finish line. In my mind, I just knew John was going to win. In the last 8 to 10 feet, Dale raised up on his 1912 Harley twin and just flew past John and won by 1/2 tire!!! When you look at the finish line picture, there is NO way anyone could plan this. It was the most awesome finish ever!

 2013 Barber Race of the Century Riders

1st – Twin Dale - Walksler - 1912 Indian Twin - #1
2nd - Twin John - Menefee – 1913 Indian Twin - #3
1st – Single - Kevin Grubb - 1913 Rudge Multi - #7...
2nd – Single - Paul Ousey – 1913 Harley Single - #11
Joe Gardella - 1913 Harley Twin - #2
Dan Fluegeman – 1913 Excelisor - #10
Jack Wells – Abington King – No Jersey
Matt Walksler - 1913 Harley Twin - #4 - DNF
Ronnie Cox – 1913 Harley Single - #8 - DNF

 

 

After the Century Lap, the Cannonball Motorcycles got to ride around the track 2 laps. I already had my 1919 Harley on the paddock, ready to go. We had a great turn out of past and future Cannonball riders.

 

Cannonball Riders – Past and 2014 Riders

Paul Ousey – 1925 Harley JD
Buzz Kanter – 1929 Harley JDH

Jim Petty – 1927 Indian Chief

Joe Gardella – 1913 Harley
Buck Carson – 1929 BSA
Jack Wells - BMW
John Landstrom - BMW
Mike Carson – 1924 Harley J
David Lloyd – 1919 Harley J
Steve Simpson – 1928 Harley JD
Jon Neuman – 1926 Harley J

Paul Ousey, Buzz Kanter, Jim Petty and Joe Gardella are 4 of the only 10 people who are competing in the 2014 and have ridden in both previous Cannonball Runs.

Here is a movie clip of the Cannonball Motorcycles