NGC - Battle of the Legends

[ohiorider]

Seems like only yesterday I ordered the VHS tapes of this Daytona race.  Sponsored by BMW, the first race was held during Speed Week in 1992.  It ran at Daytona for another 2-3 years, and also moved to other venues.  I had the opportunity to see the "Legends" race during Vintage Days at Mid Ohio several years ago.

I enjoyed watching the tapes (transferred to DVD) more now than when it was current.  The first couple of years, all the riders were mounted on identically prepared airhead R100R bikes, essentially a roadster version of the taller GS.  Before the series ended, they were riding R1100RS bikes.

A lot of the riders are no longer with us ............ including Gary Nixon, George Roeder, Roger Reiman, Walter Zeller, Don Vesco, and more that don't immediately come to mind.  At the time, Zeller was the oldest, at 68.  I still have a small poster signed by Gary Nixon.  To this day, I can hear him asking me, in his gravelly voice "didn't I race against you?"  Nope, but I wish I could have said 'yes.'

Others that participated include Phil Read, Reggie Pridmore, Dave Aldana, Don Emde, Bart Markel, Jay Spreensteen.  It was an impressive list.

Hope some of these names bring back good memories for you guys.

Bob

[guzzisteve]

There was a race at Laguna Seca just recently last week of legend bikes 76-82. A couple Guzzi's got 4th & 6th. I watched it when it first happened, was on GT forum then disappeared. Now cost $ to see it.

found it-----------------------------

https://vimeo.com/472467413

[PeteS]

The '90s were heady days at Daytona. Add Geoff Duke to the list and I know John Surtees attended though I am not sure he raced. Britton trouncing the Ducatis, the infield filled with bikes and people. Best bike show in the US.

Pete

[ohiorider]

John Surtees was Grand Marshall for one of the BMW events.  Don't recall which year or venue.  What a class guy!

[groundhog105]

There was a race at Laguna Seca just recently last week of legend bikes 76-82. A couple Guzzi's got 4th & 6th. I watched it when it first happened, was on GT forum then disappeared. Now cost $ to see it.

found it-----------------------------

https://vimeo.com/472467413

Thanks for post that.  I think the guzzi riders performed very well considering it was only an 8 lap sprint especially against 4 cylinder bikes

[Murray]

The goodwood revival post quite a bit of stuff on youtube if you want some more of that kind of thing.

[Guzikid]

  This is uncanny........I just pulled a tee-shirt out of the closet a couple of days ago showing/reminding my wife (she was there with me) all the signatures of most of the guys you mentioned above !  I was so excited to be able to talk with and shake hands with them in person.....Wow, talk about memories.  The Kid

[G5]

Don Emde has a book on the 1992-1996 series.
https://partsmagazineonline.com/store

[mhershon]

Thanks for the link! I just ordered the book. I remember seeing the bikes, after the seasons, on BMW dealer's showroom floors, with the rider's signature on the tanks. I'd think, wow, Gary Nixon rode that bike...

[Roebling3]

A friend and I used to ride to the Daytona races every other year, in the 70's - 80's. My starting point was northern NJ; his was Toronto, Canada, on a Gold Star. I rode RD's, a Bridgestone, 3 airheads, yada yada.  Never cared for the yclept bmw version of racing/promotion - but it was big fun seeing the riders up close. I out grew the risk on a MC (often in snow, slush, rain and cold). The best year of all was meeting the Britton crew, in their pit, betwixt races. The same year I swopped A rehabbed K1200S for a pristine Suzuki RG500 for the ride home. Wish I could recall the years it all happened.  R3~

[ohiorider]

A friend and I used to ride to the Daytona races every other year, in the 70's - 80's. My starting point was northern NJ; his was Toronto, Canada, on a Gold Star. I rode RD's, a Bridgestone, 3 airheads, yada yada.  Never cared for the yclept bmw version of racing/promotion - but it was big fun seeing the riders up close. I out grew the risk on a MC (often in snow, slush, rain and cold). The best year of all was meeting the Britton crew, in their pit, betwixt races. The same year I swopped A rehabbed K1200S for a pristine Suzuki RG500 for the ride home. Wish I could recall the years it all happened.  R3~

On a Gold Star!  Wow! 

Re the K1200s, I think those were built 2005 - 2008.

Bob

[Roebling3]

Bob,
'Charlie' was a hoot all day and the better part of the night. Reliable as a pet rock.
Ca: late 1970's, A bit further South. Miami, FL
The company developed a cascading lyophilizer/freeze dryer. By design it was to run constantly on one dual compressor system, to get the temp. to spec. A single vacuum pump. All component parts (including 2 ice traps with heaters and auto-draining) the vacuum system was duplexed. The system was to cycle betwixt ice traps automatically. The main wire harness was as thick as your wrist. At a trade show intro, the night b4 opening, most of the electrical system were showing alarms. Charlie began pulling wires; all sealed w/glyptal. The drawings were not shipped!

Thanx to my 'Gold Star' electrician 1/2 the system worked. We could fake the rest.
 BTW: With a gearing & tire change he would be racing, in better weather. 
     Good fortune,   R3~

[s1120]

The '90s were heady days at Daytona. Add Geoff Duke to the list and I know John Surtees attended though I am not sure he raced. Britton trouncing the Ducatis, the infield filled with bikes and people. Best bike show in the US.

Pete

I think late 80's early 90's in pretty much all classes of motorcycle racing were truly a golden era! It was a great time to be a fan!