Tribute To Gene Romero

The famous flat track and road racer dies after a long and fruitful life and career.

Motorcycling has lost another true legend. Race icon and friend to the sport Gene Romero died on Sunday, May 12, 2019 in Fullerton, California, only a week away from his 72nd birthday. Though Romero’s race career only spanned 16 years, he remained closely tied to the community for decades after hanging his leathers up.

Here is 2015 Grand Marshall Gene Romero with John Tucker's Rob North built Triumph like the one he raced.

The West Coast-native was a dominant force in 1960s and ‘70s racing, both in the dirt and on the tarmac. Before retiring from professional competition in 1981, the rider amassed some 12 AMA National wins, a Grand National Championship title in 1970, and a Daytona 200 win in 1975 (though he also finished runner-up in ’69 and ’70). While Romero’s competition success was well-known, he’s probably best remembered for being one of the riders who starred in 1971’s documentary On Any Sunday, a film that influenced what seems like an entire generation of two-wheel enthusiasts.

Romero was a special breed of racer that’s almost entirely extinct today, possessing the skills to race at the professional level in both flat track and road racing. His talent led to him being well-liked both on and off the racetrack, so much so that the same year he won his GNC title, he was also received the "AMA Most Popular Rider of the Year" Award.

In addition to his in-the-saddle contribution to the sport, Romero, an AMA Hall of Fame member, is also credited with being one of the very first in the motorcycle racing scene to attract sponsorship from outside the moto industry. In 1970, Romero’s main sponsor was none other than Evel Knievel, marking the only time the world-famous stunt-rider acted as a racer’s primary backer. Romero also managed Honda’s Grand National dirt track racing program from 1982 to 1985.

Ride in peace Gene Romero, you will be remembered and missed by many.

Source: AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Another Great Show In 2018. We teamed up with

Mid-State Moto Mania

http://midstatemotomania.com/

Paso Robles Mid-State Fairgrounds

British 1st Place, Richard Phillips, 1964 BSA Lightning Rocket.

British 2nd Place, Vincent Schardt, 1950 BSA D1 Bantam GPO

American 1st Place, Mike Madden, 1940 Crocker

American 2nd Place, Jim Gerpheide, 1941 Indian Scout

European 1st, Vincent Schardt, 1956 Moto Guzzi Olimpia

European 2nd, Ken Davis, 1961 Ducati Bronco

Japanese 1st, Donny Moore, 1982 Yamaha XSR 750

Japanese 2nd, John Lundberg, 1967 Honda CL77-305 Scrambler

Unrestored 1st, Albert Catalani, 1976 BMW R90S

Unrestored 2nd, Gary Holtz, 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross

Pre-War 1st, Mike Barber, 1917 Clevland

Pre-War 2nd, Tom Weiss, 1943 BMW R75 with Sidecar

Competition 1st, Mike Middleton, 1969 Montessa 360 Cappra

Competition, 2nd Mike Middleton, 1965 Rickman Metisse (BSA)

Cafe Racer 1st, Daniel Mendonca, 1974 Honda CB550

Cafe Racer 2nd David Kaplan, 1973 Yamaha RD350

Handbuilt 1st, Dickie Sharp, 1965 Triumph Bobber

Scooter/Minibike 1st, 1978 Tomos

Scooter/MiniBike 2nd, David Tiger, 1977 Peugeot MV

President's Award, Dickie Sharp, 1966 Triumph Street Tracker

Another Great Show

9th ANNUAL CENTRAL COAST CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW Saturday Sept. 30th, 2017

And The Winners Are:

Steve Huntzinger

American 1St Place & Star of the Circle

1922 Henderson

Virgil Elings, American 2nd Place

1940 Crocker

John Lundberg, Japanese 1st Place

1967 Honda CL-77

Phil Rockwell, Japanese 2nd Place

1966 Honda CB77

Don Harrell, British 1st Place

1976 BSA Spitfire

Ralph Weuarez, British 2nd Place

1939 Ariel Square Four

Vincent Schardt, European 1St Place

1956 Moto Morini 175

Vincent Schardt, European 2nd Place

1959 Moto Parillia 99 Olimpia

Kennny Buchanan, Unrestored 1st Place

1982 Suzuki SP500

Jason Sharp, Unrestored 2nd Place

1946 Triumph 3T

Dave Johnson, Pre-War Pre 1944 1St Place

1940 Indian Sport

Mike Barbor, Pre-War Pre 1944 2nd Place

and Grand Marshall Award

1927 Harley JD

Kenneth Brown, Competition 1st Place

1964 Lambretta

Robert Wilson, Competition 2nd Place

1982 Honda XR500R

Michael Cooper, Cafe Racer 1st Place

1988 Honda Hawk

Kenneth Brown, Cafe Racer 2nd place

1972 Honda CB500

Richard Jones, Modified 1St Place

Harley Sportster

Bob Paque, Modified 2nd Place

Harley XLCR 900

Duane Anderson, Handbuilt 1st Place

1972 Bultaco 250

Will de Groot, Handbuilt 2nd Place

1937 Honest Charlie V8

Entry Form

Judging Standards

2017 GRAND MARSHAL

BILL GETTY

CEO JRC Engineering, Motorcycle Racer,

collector, and British MC parts manufacture.

Past Grand Marshals

Marty Dickerson

Grand Marshal 2016

2002 AMA Hall of Fame

Here is 2015 Grand Marshall Gene Romero with John Tucker's Rob North built Triumph like the one he raced. Photo by: Tod Rafferty

2014 Grand Marshal Virgil Elings

Motorcycle racer, collector, Solvang Motorcycle Museum owner .

Mert Lawwill Grand Marshal 2013

1969 AMA Grand National Championship

1998 Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Craig Vetter 2012

Motorcycle designer, Vetter fairing company, fuel efficient vehicle design

1998 AMA Hall of Fame

2012 AMA Legends Hall of Fame

Major Sponsors

8th ANNUAL SLO CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW Saturday October 8th, 2016

Celebrating BMW Motorcycles

Was Another Great Show

Star of The Circle Cal Poly Mech. Engr. Student Adam Menashe 87' BMW R65

American 1st., Place Jim Gerpheide, 1941 Indian Scout

Japanese 1st., Geoff Sprague 1972 Honda CL350

Japanese 2nd., Jarvis Gross, 1969 Kawaski H1 500

British 1st., Ken Morris, 1970 Triumph T120R

British 2nd., Don Harrell 1963 RGS BSA

European 1st., Ken Morris, 1969 R60/2

European 2nd., Vincent Schardt, 1957 Moto Morini

Unrestored 1st., Vincent Schrardt, 1965 BSA Starlight

Unrestored 2nd., Vincent Schrardt, 1965 BSA Starlight

Pre-War 1941 1st, Dave Johnson, 40 Indian Scout

Competition 1st., Vincent Schardt, 1963 Itom Astor

Competition 2nd., 70 Trackmaster Honda 350

Cafe Racer 1st., Stuart Knigge, 1977 Ducati 900ss

Modified 1st., Dick Sharp, 1965 Triumph

Modified 2nd., Triumph Russ Taylor, 1966 Triumph Cheney

Motorscooter 1st., Don Harrell 1949 Mustang

Retro Modern 1st., Phil Honer 2016 Triumph Thruxton

Grand Marshall Winner, Richard Jones 1982 FXR-HD

Marty Dickerson

Grand Marshal

2002 AMA Hall of Fame

Free: Thursday Oct. 6th, 2016 Bike Night at Farmer's Market 5:30 to 8 PM (New Location This Year: Morro St. Between Higuera and Monterey St., SLO) Enter/Exit only on Monterey St.

Free: Friday Oct. 7th, 2016 Ride up the Coast 10AM

Meet at Carls Jr. 195 N Santa Rosa St., SLO

$5.00 Movie Night Palm Theater, 817 Palm SLO, 6:30 PM

$10.00 Saturday Oct. 8th, 2016 8th Annual SLO Classic Motorcycle Show at Mountainbrook Church,

9AM-3PM 1775 Calle Joaquin,

San Luis Obispo, CA.

Judging Standards

Click Here For Entry Form

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7th ANNUAL SLO CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW

Another Great Show

Here is Grand Marshall Gene Romero with John Tucker's Rob North built Triumph like the one he raced.

Photo by: Tod Rafferty

Grand Marshall Winner: Tony Blackstock 1952 Vicent in Trackmaster Frame

American 1sT: Doug Rion, 1947 Service Cycle

American 2nd: Rolf Storlie, 1969 Taco T100

Japanese 1st: Jarvis Gross, 1970 Suzuki Savage TS250

Japanese 2nd: Jarvis Gross, 1969 Kawasaki Sidewinder F4

British 1st: Vincent Schardt, 1959 BSA D1 Bantam

British 2nd: Albert Catolanic, 1965 Royal Infield Interceptor

European 1st: Mark Wiley, 1976 Bultaco Alpina

European 2nd: Vincent Schardt, 1960 Vittoria

Unrestored 1st: Doug Wilson, 1983 Amazonas

Unrestored 2nd: Jim Williams, 1990 Honda GB500

Pre-War Pre 1941 1st: Mike Barber: 1910 Harley 6A

Competition 1st: Don Harrell, 1960 BSA Spitfire

Competition 2nd: Kenny Roush, 1971 Maico MC250

Star of the Circle: Dan McDaniel, 1973 Honda CB400

Cafe Racer 2nd: Mike McGeachy 1966 Ducati

Modified 1st: Richard Jones, Special Harley FXR

Modified 2nd: Rider Brown, 1966 Triumph Bonnie Bobber

Motoscooter 1st: Rider Brown, 1959 Innecnti Lambretta

Gary Holtz

President

Kermit Johansson

I got my first motorcycle when I left the jurisdiction of my parents with one of the conditions that I never touch a motorcycle while they were assisting me in high school to college. In the first month after finishing training in the Army after graduation, I procured my first motorcycle, a 300 cc Honda Dream. After living the Dream for 3 months, I realized it was over between us, and moved to a Honda 175 Dual sport where I joined an off road club riding the hills of Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. I promptly earned the moniker of Horizontal Lt. due to my skill shortage; but I loved the experience. Afterwards there were many years of movement in between before I was able to purchase a series of Harley Davidsons, and cool fingerless gloves, both which I rode in Fresno, CA and Prescott, AZ., where I was employed as Landscape Architect by the Forest Service. I sold all upon motorcycles in 1997 in Prescott, although I intended to reengage when I returned to CA, and remained motorless until settling in Cambria where I immediately started back with the goal of long distance touring and classic motorcycles. I now have a Buell S1, BMW R1200R, and 3 Norton’s which are suffering from temporary paralysis.

Duane Davis

Social Secretary and Pick Up Carrying Motorcycle Specialist
Duane has been riding British bikes since 1956. He rode his BSA C11g single cylinder 250 cc to high school which was about a 25 mile round trip everyday rain or shine. He has ridden BSA and Triumph motorcycles exclusively and currently owns a 1967 TR6c, a 1968 BSA Shooting Star 441 and a 1970 Triumph 650 Tiger 120. Duane is a firm believer in keeping his bikes in original condition.

Oct. 8th, 2015 Bike Night at Farmer's Market

Oct. 9th, 2015 Ride up the Coast 10AM

& Gathering at the Courtyard, 5:30 PM

1605 Calle Joaquin, SLO

Oct. 10th, 2015 7th Annual SLO Classic Motorcycle Show at Mountainbrook Church,

9AM-3PM 1775 Calle Joaquin,

San Luis Obispo, CA.

This year we are proud to announce that we will be supporting "Welcome Home Heroes" Please make it a point to attend.

6th ANNUAL CENTRAL COAST CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW

Was A Great Success

We Donated $2438.10 To Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11, 2014 (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)

MOUNTAINBROOK COMMUNITY CHURCH

1775 CALLE JOAQUIN

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

STAR OF THE CIRCLE: Steve Davis, 1970 Honda SL100

American 1st: Mike Madden, 1936 Crocker

American 2nd: Ted Kapner, 1964 HD Sprint

British 1st: Bob Mitchell, 1938 Brough Superior

British 2nd: Don Harrell, 1968 BSA Victor

Japanese 2nd: Doug Peterson, 1968 Honda CT90

European 1st: Paul Porter, 1968 BMW R50

European 2nd: Vincent Schardt,

1963 Malaguti Olympiqoe

Unrestored 1st: Mike Madden, 1913 Flying Merkel

Unrestored 2nd: Jim Gerpheide, 1983 Triumph TSS

Pre-War 1st Pre 1941:

Steve Huntzinger, 1913 Sears

Pre-War 2nd Pre 1941: Brent Lenchan,

1936 BSA Q7

Competition 1st: Vincent Shardt,

1948 James ML125

Competition 2nd: Tim Rott, 1975 Bultaco Astro

Cafe Racer 1st: Brent Lenchan, 1969 Magni R3

Cafe Racer 2nd: Mike McGeachy, 1966 Ducati

Grand Marahall Award:

Larry Romesant 1966 BMW Kaff

2014 CCCMC Motorcycle Show Results

Grand Marshal Virgil Elings

Motorcycle racer, collector, Solvang Motorcycle Museum owner.

Virgil's rare NSU Rennmax

Honored Guest Craig Vetter

Motorcycle designer, Vetter fairing company, fuel efficient vehicle design

1998 AMA Hall of Fame

2012 AMA Legends Hall of Fame

Craig Vetter High Mileage Contest leaves at noon Sat.

Event Headquarters

Courtyard by Marriott
1605 Calle Joaquin
San Luis Obispo, Ca

Call for special show rates.
805 786-4200

We raised $2500 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

5th Annual Central Coast Classic

Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet Saturday Oct. 12th, 2013

Vincent Schardt, 1948 James,

Mert Lawwill Grand Marshal Award

Vincent Schardt, 1970 Triumph Bonneville

"Star of the Circle"

Mickey Peters, 1955 Harley-Davidson,

American First Place

Frank Jerant, 1969 Harley-Davidson Sprint,

American 2nd Place

Don Harrell, 1960 BSA A-10,

British 2nd Place

Don Harrell, 1960 BSA Catalina,

British 3rd Place

Don Stockell, 1970 Honda CL-350,

Japanese 1st Place

Don Stockell, 1970 Honda CB-750,

Japanese 2nd Place

Doug Van Tassel, 1961 Parillia GS,

European 1st Place

Carlos Baylon, 1975 Laverda,

European 2nd Place

Gary Holtz, 1970 Husqvarna 400CR

Unrestored First Place

Mike McClure, 1975 BMW R90/S,

Unrestored Second Place

Steve Huntzinger, 1914 Harley-Davidson

Pre-War Pre 1941 First Place

Mike Barber, 1934 Cotton/JAP,

Pre-War Pre 1941 Second Place

Gary Holtz, 1973 Husqvarna 400CR

Competition First Place

Dan Phillips, 1978 AMX 250

Competition Second Place

Mike McGready, 1966 Ducati 250

Cafe Racer First Place

Matt Chapin, 1955 BSA

Cafe Racer Second Place

Hank Paterson, Ural Protol

Side-Car First Place

Mert Lawwill Grand Marshal

Mert Lawwill, the American Motorcyclist Association Grand National Champion of 1969, was one of the top professionals on the AMA national circuit during 1960s and 1970s.

Lawwill was born in Boise, Idaho, on September 25, 1940. His parents were not enthusiastic about motorcycling. Mert's older brother broke the ice and was the first in the family to ride. It didn't take long for Mert to catch the motorcycling bug and he too started riding, much to his parents' chagrin.

"Eugene Theissen used to come to race in Boise once a year," Lawwill recalls. "He was the big pro in the northwestern part of the country and we worshipped the ground he walked on."

Spurred on by his admiration for Thiessen, and with help from Harlan Woods and his Boise BSA shop, Lawwill began his racing career on the local TT track in Boise and, later, scrambles races across the Northwest.

Lawwill then moved to California to pursue a racing career and picked up sponsorship form the legendary Dudley Perkins. After successful tenure in the amateur ranks, Lawwill turned pro in 1963. In 1964, Harley-Davidson recognized Lawwill's burgeoning talent and signed him to a factory contract. Lawwill would stay with Harley-Davidson for the rest of his career.

After finishing on the podium numerous times in 1964 and 1965, Lawwill finally won his first AMA national at the famous Sacramento Mile on September 19, 1965. It was a special moment for Lawwill. Sitting in the stands that day, watching him race a big national for the first time, were Lawwill's parents. That Sacramento victory was the first of 15 career wins for Lawwill, which placed him 15th on the all-time AMA Grand National winners list at of the time of his Hall of Fame induction in 1998.

In 1969, Lawwill was voted the AMA's Most Popular Rider of the Year.

Lawwill is perhaps best known for being one of the featured riders of the early 1970s movie classic, "On Any Sunday." The movie chronicled Lawwill's bid to defend his AMA Grand National title during the 1970 racing season.

By the time Lawwill hung up his racing leathers in 1977, due to an inner-ear disorder that affected his balance, he had amassed an incredible 161 career AMA Grand National finishes during his 15-year racing career.

Lawwill went on to become one of the top motorcycle racing frame designers and builders. Lawwill then used his years of knowledge as a motorcycle frame builder and turned his expertise to the rapidly growing sport of mountain biking. Lawwill's custom racing bicycles became highly prized by top racers around the world and his designs won numerous national and world titles.

In 2012, Lawwill was elected to the AMA Legends Hall of Fame.

Malcolm Roe Phil Collins

Guest of Honor Guest of Honor

World Speedway Racer 1978 British Under-21

Speedway Champion

Click here for Judged Motorcycle Entry Form, Judging Standards, Trophies and Star of the Circle

Click here for the Schedule of events

SLO MOTORSPORTS

Event Headquarters

Courtyard by Marriott
1605 Calle Joaquin
San Luis Obispo, Ca
805 786-4200

We Had Another Great Show!

Saturday Oct. 13, 2012

Classic Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet

Craig Vetter

Grand Marshal Award to

Dave Destler

1970 Harley-Davidson Sportster

Frank Jerant, HD Sprint, American 1st Place

Terry Moltr, 1969 Bonanza, American 2nd Place

Don Harrell, 1969 BSA Victor, British 1st Place

Don Harrell, 1968 BSA Hornet, British 2nd Place

Daniel Alameda, Suzuki RE5 Rotary, Japanese 1st Place

Warren Becker, Kawasaki GPZ 550, Japanese 2nd Place

Mark Wiley, 1976 Bultaco 250 Alpina, (Blue '77, Red '76) European 1st and 2nd Place

Ed Westbrook 1979 Yamaha RD400, Unrestored 1st Place

Allen Siekman 1962 Honda CB62 Unrestored 2nd Place

Mike Barber, 1920 Harley-Davidson, Pre-War 1st Place

Sheldon Gee, 1958 AJS, Competition 1st Place

Bobbie Cadwallader, 1975 Bultaco 250 Pursang, Competition 2nd Place

Duane Anderson, 1970 Super Moto Bultaco 250,

Cafe Racer, 1st Place

Chris Neel, 1968 BSA, Cafe Racer, 2nd Place

Don Harrell, Special Award for his

Dedication to Classic Motorcycles

We raised $2500 for Our Charity In 2012:

Members of the Central Coast Classic Motorcycle Club deliver a check for $2500.00 to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer at a ceremony at McClintock’s Restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo. The check represents some of the proceeds from the club’s October 2012 classic motorcycle show in San Luis Obispo, an annual event which has raised nearly $10,000 for charitable causes since 2009. Over 1000 people attended this year’s show at the Mountainbrook Community Church grounds where over 60 classic, vintage, and antique motorcycles were on display.