AHRMA Kicks Off 2026 Road-Racing Season at Roebling Road Raceway
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) launched its 2026 road-racing calendar with a lively two-day meeting at Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, Georgia, on Feb. 14–15. New this year was the 250GP Vintage Cup, a class that put a spotlight on finesse and handling rather than outright horsepower.
What the 250GP Vintage Cup is about
The 250GP Vintage Cup is limited to machines built before Dec. 31, 1968, and accommodates several period-correct configurations: 250cc four-stroke OHV/OHC bikes, air-cooled 250cc two-strokes, and 175cc two-stroke singles or twins. That mix emphasizes chassis setup, throttle control and rider technique — the sort of racing where momentum and precision beat raw power.
The entry list reflected that philosophy. Riders brought an eclectic roster of Italian, British, Spanish and Japanese machines — Aermacchi, Bultaco, Ducati, Bridgestone and Honda among them — creating a closely matched and entertaining field.
Saturday: tough starts and tight leads
Saturday’s feature got off to a blistering start when Craig Light surged away on his 1973 Bultaco. The lead changed quickly: Rob Hall, campaigning a 1967 BSA C15, grabbed the advantage after the opening lap and never looked back, taking the checkered flag. Craig Hirko finished second on a 1967 Bridgestone TA 1, while Jonas Stein rounded out the podium on a 1972 Honda CB175.
The mid-pack served up one of the weekend’s best scraps. Tim Terrell (1966 Honda CB160), Holly Varey (1976 Honda MT125), Eric Watts (1966 Ducati 250) and Jim Jowers (1965 Ducati 250) swapped places repeatedly, producing edge-of-your-seat action that showed how narrow the performance window is on these lightweight machines.
Sunday: momentum shifts and mechanical drama
Sunday mirrored Saturday early on, but attrition and tactics reshuffled the order. Holly Varey fired off a textbook hole shot into turn one and led briefly, and Rob Hall again moved forward on a quick CB160 — until a mechanical failure on lap four forced his retirement.
Craig Hirko seized the opportunity and took Sunday’s victory. Colton Roberts, aboard a 1968 Harley-Davidson Aermacchi, rode a steady, mistake-free race to claim second, while Jonas Stein repeated his third-place finish. The gap from fourth through eighth was only about 1.5 seconds, a reminder of how tight the competition stayed to the end.
Voices from the paddock
Series supporters and competitors alike praised the new class. Kenny Cummings of NYC Norton pointed to corner-entry speed, drafting and clean lines as the tiny margins that separated the leaders. Eric Watts’ onboard footage from his Ducati further illustrated that smooth throttle application and measured inputs are rewarded on these classic bikes.
AHRMA board chairman Greg “GT” Tomlinson called the weekend “an encouraging start” to the year, citing the depth of the field, surprising cornering speeds for machines of this era, and a fan atmosphere that matched the on-track intensity.
Format, calendar and context
The 250GP Vintage Cup joins the Vintage Cup rotation as a complement to AHRMA’s existing classes, offering riders and fans a chance to see small-displacement classics race in close, tactical battles. Expect the class to appear at select events through the season as AHRMA gauges growth and interest.
What the 250GP Vintage Cup is about
The 250GP Vintage Cup is limited to machines built before Dec. 31, 1968, and accommodates several period-correct configurations: 250cc four-stroke OHV/OHC bikes, air-cooled 250cc two-strokes, and 175cc two-stroke singles or twins. That mix emphasizes chassis setup, throttle control and rider technique — the sort of racing where momentum and precision beat raw power.0
What the 250GP Vintage Cup is about
The 250GP Vintage Cup is limited to machines built before Dec. 31, 1968, and accommodates several period-correct configurations: 250cc four-stroke OHV/OHC bikes, air-cooled 250cc two-strokes, and 175cc two-stroke singles or twins. That mix emphasizes chassis setup, throttle control and rider technique — the sort of racing where momentum and precision beat raw power.1
What the 250GP Vintage Cup is about
The 250GP Vintage Cup is limited to machines built before Dec. 31, 1968, and accommodates several period-correct configurations: 250cc four-stroke OHV/OHC bikes, air-cooled 250cc two-strokes, and 175cc two-stroke singles or twins. That mix emphasizes chassis setup, throttle control and rider technique — the sort of racing where momentum and precision beat raw power.2
What the 250GP Vintage Cup is about
The 250GP Vintage Cup is limited to machines built before Dec. 31, 1968, and accommodates several period-correct configurations: 250cc four-stroke OHV/OHC bikes, air-cooled 250cc two-strokes, and 175cc two-stroke singles or twins. That mix emphasizes chassis setup, throttle control and rider technique — the sort of racing where momentum and precision beat raw power.3