One of the best, unknown events of the summer takes place in the surfside town of Ventura, California; towards the end of June each year. At first, it was a one-day Antique Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, which has run for some 16 years now. Eleven years ago the promoters of the show wanted to add a little more excitement to the annual event and approached the fairgrounds about the possibility of adding to the weekends events a motorcycle race for the vintage mounts that would participate in the show.

The promoter of these events is David Hanson, the owner of The Shop, a mecca for antique, vintage and historic motorcycle enthusiasts from all over this country and the world. The Shop is best known for its inventory of parts and knowledge of Indian motorcycles, however Harley owners will find just as much enthusiasm, parts, service and help.

This year the race portion of the program was co-sponsored by another, Ventura based motorcycle business, Barnett Engineering, well known to any motorcycle owner who has ever needed a replacement cable or clutch, Barnett has a long association with motorcycle racing as participants and sponsors.

The motorcycle swap meet went over both days, with additional vendors showing on Sunday. On Saturday afternoon the pits of the on grounds race track known as the Pacific Arena began to fill with vintage racers and their support vehicles and personal. The track itself is a 1/5 oval, groomed by Jim Naylor. A new addition this year was a TT infield route for some of the vintage classes. By 4PM when the first practice heats were to begin, the pits were buzzing with activity. The day long high overcast clouds were thinning with the sun peaking out more frequently as it made its decent into the ocean a mere few hundred yards distant outside the pit fence. Arriving early affords the spectator to stroll among the pits looking for favorite brands or riders from the different decades of racing machinery on display which encompassed everything from hand shifted mid-twenties Indians and Harley's to the late model BSAs and Triumphs.