The intensity is immediate. Clearing the tunnel leading to the pit area of Mosport International Raceway, my senses are instantly overwhelmed by the sight, sound and smell of motorcycle racing history. I’ve just arrived at the VRRA Vintage Festival, but before I even get a chance to park my ride and remove my helmet, my head begins to bobble around like a dashboard Buddha in a feeble attempt to take it all in.
Despite the early hour, it’s already hot and humid, and the hour-plus ride from Toronto to the racetrack near Bowmanville has taken its toll. Overheated, I rapidly strip off my riding gear as my ears are assaulted by the barking megaphone of a vintage single that slithers its way through the crowd, its rider ferociously blipping the throttle as he heads for the starting grid. The air smells of hot oil intermingling with the aroma of McMosports, a breakfast sandwich being made in a nearby snack bar. After my early morning ride, I happily munch on a McMosport and begin to wander through row upon row of beautifully restored classic machines. Believe me when I say that there is no place I would rather be on a beautiful Saturday morning.
The Vintage Road Racing Association (VRRA) has been hosting the Vintage Festival since the early ’80s when it held its first races at Shannonville Motorsport Park. The VRRA itself grew out of a dedicated group of individuals who were involved with the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) and wanted a sportsman-like venue to actually race their classic motorcycles.
While perusing a trailer full of vintage parts that were for sale, I fortunately bump into Tom Faulds, one of the VRRA’s founding members. Faulds is a gentleman known to many in the vintage bike fraternity and has an extensive knowledge of classic motorcycles and the people who race them in Canada. A long-standing career with Honda Canada put him in a unique position to ride and hang out with some of the great legends of motorcycle racing. Faulds entertains me with stories of spending time on the race track with the likes of Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Steve Baker, Mike Duff and many others, and also mentions partying with Soichiro Honda on more than a few occasions.
Faulds campaigned two 1968 Honda 450s in the first VRRA race at Shannonville back in 1980. Since then he has been a competitor, organizer and solid supporter of the Vintage Festival as it grew and evolved, eventually moving to its current home at Mosport in 1986.
Today’s Vintage Festival has matured and offers much more than just the auditory and visual thrill of man and machine hurtling around a ribbon of asphalt. Honda and Suzuki is here in force with their full demo-ride programs. Old classics are great, but nothing compares to the thrill of mounting a minty-fresh machine for a half-hour romp in the beautiful countryside surrounding Mosport . . . (read more)
Longo’s VRRA Vintage Festival assignment included the selection of three exemplary motorcycles that exuded the spirit of the event. Presented on the following pages are his top picks, which we suspect were the result of greased palms and whispered promises.
Supreme Sunbeam
Mello Blue Velo
The Underdog
