Cool video of a vintage race.

montelatici · Apr 6, 2011

This is a video from 2001, when most vintage racers didn't know what digital video cameras were. This was a race in 2001 at Summit Point, West Virginia, my home track. I think I finished third with the guy doing the video 9Chris Marshall) taking second and the guy that passed him (Buff Harsh) taking first in the 350 GP class. Both were really smooth racers. The Honda CB350s with all the modern upgrades were so fast and easy to ride compared to the peaky 250cc DS7 that I used in that class. The TD3 (a real GP 250cc) that I raced in a higher class was more of threat to these CB350s that bumped up a class to race. Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuJo6V05XEs

SteveMinning · Apr 6, 2011

I remember Buff very well, but haven't seen him for a few years. As I recall he was a protege of Todd Henning and took over all of Todd's Honda parts after he had that very bad crash.

In those days I was racing a BMW so didn't race in the same class as Buff, but remember him passing me a number of times in practice sessions. He was very, very fast. Steve 'O' Stasser was one of my favorites in the 350 class, and who can forget Rick Breckon? What a character!

Hey, I got carried away. What's this got to do with Nortons?

montelatici · Apr 6, 2011

If you raced a BMW, I probably know you. There weren't many BMWs . LOL

montelatici · Apr 6, 2011

SteveMinning said:
I remember Buff very well, but haven't seen him for a few years. As I recall he was a protege of Todd Henning and took over all of Todd's Honda parts after he had that very bad crash.

In those days I was racing a BMW so didn't race in the same class as Buff, but remember him passing me a number of times in practice sessions. He was very, very fast. Steve 'O' Stasser was one of my favorites in the 350 class, and who can forget Rick Breckon? What a character!

Hey, I got carried away. What's this got to do with Nortons?

My favorite was D'Ettore with the only H2 Kawa. Firefighter from New Jersey.

Holmeslice · Apr 6, 2011

Buff is still around, and still fast as ever. And yes, he is the nuts and bolts behind THR (Todd Henning Racing). He's not too keen on the politics that went down with AHRMA, but makes his way out to some WERA events in the Southeast. And Chris Marshall now lives in Toronto, and still comes out to Mosport and kicks butt.

These were the guys who were out fighting when I started spectating at the races. I remember going to Chris's pit at Mid Ohio in 2001 and talking with him. He was so approachable and well-spoken. He intellectualized the whole racing thing in about 50 words, and I appreciated that.

Last year Buff posted on one of the racing bulletin boards if anyone had any old take-off tires they'd sell him for an upcoming Barber event. I gave him a clapped out Dunlop KR124a front tire that I was about to throw away, and he promptly mounted it and turned some of the fastest times a CB350 has ever done at Barber, in the RAIN.

But all I can say is Norton Commando, Norton Commando, Norton Commando (required content).

montelatici · Apr 6, 2011

There was a guy from the DC Norton Club, of which I was a member, that raced the only Norton I remember in V4 or V5. He had more DNFs than finishes. But I gave him a pair of the Concentric Mark II carbs I couldn't get to work on my Norton.

montelatici · Apr 6, 2011

Holmeslice said:
Buff is still around, and still fast as ever. And yes, he is the nuts and bolts behind THR (Todd Henning Racing). He's not too keen on the politics that went down with AHRMA, but makes his way out to some WERA events in the Southeast. And Chris Marshall now lives in Toronto, and still comes out to Mosport and kicks butt.

These were the guys who were out fighting when I started spectating at the races. I remember going to Chris's pit at Mid Ohio in 2001 and talking with him. He was so approachable and well-spoken. He intellectualized the whole racing thing in about 50 words, and I appreciated that.

Last year Buff posted on one of the racing bulletin boards if anyone had any old take-off tires they'd sell him for an upcoming Barber event. I gave him a clapped out Dunlop KR124a front tire that I was about to throw away, and he promptly mounted it and turned some of the fastest times a CB350 has ever done at Barber, in the RAIN.

But all I can say is Norton Commando, Norton Commando, Norton Commando (required content).

Chris helped me fix my frame at his employer's warehouse in Baltimore. This warehouse had a great number of racing and road vintage bikes in it. Plus it was a great shop, welding machines, machine tools etc. He welded up one of my down tubes that was always breaking with the 350 motor. I remember riding up there with the Norton. He had brought the Yamaha up there in his trailer as I recall.

As far as Buff Harsh, we traded paint at South Carolina Motorsports Park in 2000 I think. He was really angry and came to our trailer intent on fighting after the race. He calmed down shortly after and apologized. He was a really nice guy but very intense on the track.

montelatici · Apr 6, 2011

Holmeslice said:
These were the guys who were out fighting when I started spectating at the races. (required content).

Come on, you must have seen a Yamaha TD3 in the mix, the only one. After all I did win the Mid Atlantic Championship in V3 in 2002. Not with my Norton.

montelatici · Apr 6, 2011

montelatici said:
Holmeslice said:

These were the guys who were out fighting when I started spectating at the races. (required content).

Click to expand...

Come on, you must have seen a Yamaha TD3 in the mix, the only one. After all I did win the Mid Atlantic Championship in V3 in 2002. Not with my Norton.

Sorry, V2. Not V3.

Cool video of a vintage race.

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