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Despite the hassle of Memorial Day weekend traffic and high fuel prices, AMC members Beno Rodi, Henry Gregorich and Andy Blackburn made the drive to Topeka to compete in AHRMA's Heartland Motofest.

Like last year, the area was subjected to torrential rain in the days before the event, but warm sunny weather and high winds helped to dry out the facility by the weekend. Only the cross country and MX riders in the early motos had to deal with the infamous Kansas "black  goo" mud.

As is his custom, Beno participated in all disciplines-Road Racing, Trials, Cross Country, Motocross and Short Track. Short track was a new addition to Heartland Motofest this year with a tight concrete track laid out in one of the road racing parking areas. There was a good bit of "rubbing" between the competitors as they jostled for position on the compact track.

Henry participated in the cross country, MX and trials on his Hodaka and Yamahas, winning his class in MX and placing third in trials. Andy placed first in the ESS 500 Expert MX and finished second in his class in the trials.

The inaugural Daytona Motofest was well attended by AMC club members who participated in dirt tack, motocross, cross country and road racing events. Participants enjoyed the sunny, warm weather as well as the tracks at the Daytona facilities.

David, Charlie, Beno, Buck, Rickie and Andy participated in dirt track and enjoyed racing under the lights in front of a good crowd of spectators. The hard packed sand/limestone track offered good traction and both David and Rickie raced to class wins. (Photos by Dragan Harbov.)

The motocross was a new venue held on land owned by the Speedway a few miles to the north. Former World MX Champion Trampas Parker designed the new track which was well received by the riders. Henry, Beno, Charles and Andy earned first place finishes in their classes.

The cross country event was held in the same area as the MX and featured wide grassy sections along with some challenging tight woods. Bill, Beno and Henry participated in the competition.

As is his custom, Beno participated in the road race as well, experiencing the famous high banked turns of the Speedway. It makes one wonder how Beno is able to be at all of these places at the same time!

The Christmas Party was held at Joy's Home Cooking in Winder on December 4th. Attending were Beno, Robin, Bonnie, Allen, Dave, Jimmy, John, Terry, Loraine, Tim, Levonne, Robert, Jeff, Brenda, Henry, Lonnie and Buddy. After the meal, members discussed club business such as scheduling events at Aonia in the coming year, maintaining club equipment, soliciting volunteers to help with club events and the possibility of scheduling more club group rides.

On Saturday, November 20, a dozen club members met at the Cupboard Café in Dillard to enjoy a meal before heading out as a group to ride some of the scenic mountain roads of Northeast Georgia.

After the last bowls of banana pudding were consumed, the group took a short ride into North Carolina to a staging area to park transport vehicles and unload bikes. Mitch and Robert had planned loops for both dual sport and road bike groups that took riders up to Highlands, south to Pine Mountain and then east on War Woman Road back to Clayton before finally turning north on Highway 441 back to the staging area. Mitch led the dual sport group while Robert and Bill took turns herding the road group along.

Although too late in the season to enjoy the fall colors, the route took the riders past spectacular overlooks as well as along some perfect twisting roads well suited to two wheeled travel. 

As expected, many club members showed up with vintage bikes for the ride. Beno brought his all original BSA Gold Star, Bill rode his BSA Rocket 3 (all the way from Atlanta and back), Lonnie brought his Triumph 650 for its “shake down” ride, Donna had her Honda 500 Interceptor, Terry rode his Yamaha DT250, while Andy ring-dinged along on his Yamaha RD400. And what would a ride on vintage bikes be without a little mechanical drama? Terry and Lonnie both had electrical gremlins sabotage their ride (although Lonnie made it about 97% of the way). The only other casualty was a bent front brake lever on Donna’s Honda. (Which she is not going to talk about!)

Thanks to everyone that pitched in to make the ride an enjoyable experience. We hope to see even more club members at our next event.