Classic European and vintage Japanese motorcycles line the curbs of North Lincoln Avenue in downtown Chicago along with a sprinkling of streetfighters, choppers, bobbers and modern bikes. There’s also a strong contingent of old and new scooters mixed into the Mods vs Rockers event hosted by Ton Up Club of Chicago. While it’s a wonderful bike show, it’s great for people-watching as well.
Driving down into Louisville, we’re quickly enamored with the old buildings lining the Ohio River. Headed West on Main Street, just passed the hoppin’ downtown scene, we find Restoration Werks with the front door open to all. It’s an overhead door, up and revealing hand-picked antiques, a vintage Gilera, and a steel table displaying a selection of new moto tees. Look farther into the space, passed the custom shop lights made from salvaged glass and metal, and you’ll see a Vincent, a Brough Superior and an assortment of engines that have a special place in motorcycle lore.
Last summer, we visited Mid-America Speedway, a short track at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. That particular weekend of flat track and speedway racing was held during the annual county fair, which added an extra dose of an already abundant amount of Americana. Here are glimpses of that day and the great atmosphere that surrounds flat track racing.
(Update: Mel has been named senior vice president and general manager of the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. We congratulate him on his new direction and wish him the best of luck. -GSG)
Mel Harder is a motorcyclist. He’s a listener, an observer, and a doer. He grew up in Speedway, Indiana, beginning a lifelong involvement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 2002, he took the reigns as Senior VP of Operations at IMS and later helped secure a deal that brought MotoGP racing to Indy in 2008.
Ten of the best motorcycle racers in the world tried their hand at punting, passing and kicking a football at the Home of the Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium. The folks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway gathered riders from the MotoGP, Moto2 and 125 classes and fitted them with personalized Colts jerseys. IMS invited former Colts players to help instruct the riders that weren’t as familiar with American football.
The legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the historic Harley Davidson brand for two races during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend. Racers in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series will be battling hard for the last pass over the yard of bricks on Saturday and Sunday (Aug 27 & 28th).
