OLD SCHOOL SCRAMBLE

The Old School Scramble was held this weekend in a location that none of the participants is likely to forget–ever. The course was on a golf course in Victorville, California. The Westwinds Golf Course was once located in the base housing on George Air Force Base. Since the closing of the base in 1992, the housing has been abandoned, but the Westwinds Golf Course had been maintained by the city of Victorville. It made for a very eerie scene with the greens surrounded by family neighborhood in post apocalypse ruin. Five years ago, the golf course also closed, although it was still maintained to a limited extent. With no plans to reopen it, the city gave  SW Vintage Committee permission to run a vintage motorcycle race. They laid out an old-school, natural terrain course with the help of four-time National Champion Gary Jones, and called the event, appropriately, the Inaugural Old-School Scrambles. It was open to bike with 7″ and 4″ of suspension travel, 1974 and earlier, although the atmosphere was more casual that the strict rulesmanship of many vintage race organizations. The racing was held on Sunday while a bike show, party and BBQ were held Saturday.

The weekend was a hit, drawing a far better turnout than expected. As usual with this type of event, the bikes were the stars and who won what race became secondary. Plans for another such event are in the works, although the city of Victorville will have the final say. For more information, contact Tami at [email protected].

Gary Jones won a 250 Expert heat but had bike trouble with his YZ250 in the second race.
Gary Jones won a 250 Expert heat but had bike trouble with his YZ250 in the second race.
Dirt Bike's own Robb Mesecher (25) was winner of the 40 Expert class.
Dirt Bike’s own Robb Mesecher (25) was winner of the 40 Expert class.
The sidehacks were fun to watch.
The sidehacks were fun to watch.

 

Many classes were combined, so you had some off bedfellows on the track at the same time. There were eight races that were allowed to run two heats apiece.
Many classes were combined, so you had some off bedfellows on the track at the same time. There were eight races that were allowed to run two heats apiece.
The scoring was accomplished by transponder, making for an odd mix of old school hardware and new-age technology.
The scoring was accomplished by transponder, making for an odd mix of old school hardware and new-age technology.
Tech inspection was mandatory, but officials seemed most concerned that the bikes were safe for racing.
Tech inspection was mandatory, but officials seemed most concerned that the bikes were safe for racing.
The abandoned base housing for the now defunct George Air Force Base made for an eerie surrounding. Racing legend Andy Jefferson was on hand and reported that he grew up in one of these very houses.
The abandoned base housing for the now defunct George Air Force Base made for an eerie surrounding. Racing legend Andy Jefferson was on hand and reported that he grew up in one of these very houses.

 

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