Sixth Motorcycle Racing Event Is A Romp!

Media Release

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Local volunteers and members of the Vintage Road Racing Association (VRRA) are busy putting the finishing touches on the sixth Runway Romp to be held on September 16 and 17 at North Bay’s Jack Garland Airport. ‘The Romp’ offers two full days of exciting vintage and classic motorcycle and sidecar racing.

Race organizer Peter Sheppard said, “The Romp is a family event. Spouses and children come to support their racers; spectators come with their children and grandchildren. It’s a fun event with activities to interest everyone.”

The weekend will include a full program of motorcycle races, sidecar racing, a parade of motorcycles through the downtown, helicopter flights, parade laps and an opportunity for the public to try ‘racing’ in a sidecar. Vendors will be on hand with food and drinks. The Rumble & Roar parade leaves the airport at noon on Saturday and is open to all licensed riders; race bikes and racing sidecars also participate. Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club is acting as parade marshals. Details of the parade route follow.

Sheppard noted, “The sidecar racing is always popular with the crowds. Some of the competitors are husband-and-wife or father-and-daughter teams. We’re anticipating up to 10 sidecar outfits this year. Vintage/classic racing categorizes motorcycles in one of four periods:

Period one - bikes built prior to 1968
Period two - bikes from 1969 to 1972
Period three - bikes built between 1973 and 1982, and
Period four - bikes built after 1982 and up to1989.

Within each period, there are three classes: lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight – defined by the cc’s of the engine. Because of the number of classes, the VRRA sometimes combines classes in any given race, which makes for interesting viewing for the spectators due to the larger number of bikes on the course.”

The gates open at 9 am both days. Cost is $10 per day or for the weekend; and children 12 and under are free with an adult. The Airport Authority does not allow pets on site.

Please note this is an alcohol-free event.

For more information, contact Peter Sheppard at (705) 723-1689 or North Bay Cycle & Sports at (705) 472-4550.

Rumble & Road Parade route, Sat, Sept 16, leaving Jack Garland Airport in North Bay at noon:
Airport/Airport Road to Algonquin Avenue
Algonquin Avenue to Main Street
Main Street, across overpass to Memorial Drive
Memorial Drive to Murray Street
Murray Street to Jane Street
Jane Street to Algonquin Avenue
Algonquin Avenue to Airport Road/Airport

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