History of the USCRA

The United States Classic Racing Association is the oldest vintage road racing organization in the United States. Though primarily based in the Northeast, it has members around the globe that participate in its unique events from actual street race exhibitions to all out FIM / NAMU internationally sanctioned Road Racing and Observed Trials.

The USCRA can trace its roots back to the mid-1970’s when a racer named Bob Coy, who had been running the latest in road racing machinery, Yamaha TZ 350’s and AMA Superbikes partnered with Rob Ianucci, who had just begun his racing collection.  

Together the two began to organize a few vintage races that were added to AAMRR programs run at the now defunct Bridgehampton Raceway on Long Island’s east end.  Bob continued to campaign his Norton Manx, entering it in many ‘modern’ events until the opportunity arose to organize and promote a full stand-alone vintage event.   The year was 1981 and the USCRA had come of age from those early mid-70’s roots as vintage became more popular.

The first stand-alone event took place at the Old Bryar Motorsports Park in Laconia, New Hampshire July 4th weekend of 1981. The event, known as the Belknap Cup Summer Vintage Festival, featured a weekend of classic racing machinery from the world of both motorcycles and automobiles.  The event was successful enough to become a fixture in the Bryar schedule until the track was sold in 1990, renovated and renamed New Hampshire International Speedway.  The Belknap Cup was re-named the Vintage Celebration.  In 1990, NHIS took over the event and contracted the USCRA to run the motorcycle portion of the program.  Within two years, the USCRA had grown that single stand-alone event into a full season of successful racing.

Staying true to the heritage of classic Grand Prix motorcycle road racing, the USCRA promoted the best of vintage racing machines including classes that were all but extinct in North America, namely Sidecars and 50cc Grand Prix.  Today, from that limited mid-70’s beginning, the USCRA is the oldest continually operating vintage road racing organization in the country and includes over 300 active members.  All of our events are AMA sanctioned and participants must be licensed with the USCRA or another accredited racing organization.

The United States Classic Racing Association (USCRA) actively promotes four general types of events: road racing on both proprietary built road race circuits and real roads courses like Gunstock and the Streets of Laconia, Observed Trials, MotoGiro-USA and Pewter Cup touring events held on open public roads.  In addition the club holds an annual banquet and participates in events held by other clubs primarily the VRRA (Vintage Road Racing Association), AMCRA (Atlantic Motorcycle Classic Racing Association), and WERA Vintage (Western Eastern Road Racing Association.  Members are welcome to participate in as many or few events as they choose, for road racing members there is a season long championship with points awarded at most events.