Rider Files

Royale Racing’s Doug Henry leads Team Widman in the rain at Road Atlanta during the season finale of the WERA/EBC National Endurance Series in November of 1986. Royale’s Doug and Jim Henry, along with Joe Ardolino, raced their Yamaha RZ350 very consistently all season, scoring several top-10 overall finishes en route to winning the Lightweight Production title. Team Widman, headed by former AMA pro racer Ron Widman, challenged Royale earlier in the season racing their Suzuki GS450.

Royale Racing’s Doug Henry leads Team Widman in the rain at Road Atlanta during the season finale of the WERA/EBC National Endurance Series in November of 1986. (Larry Lawrence photo)

One of the biggest advancements in club racing was the introduction of riders’ schools. In the days prior to these schools riders would just show up and race, often with disastrous results. The schools helped bring riders into racing more gradually, with slower laps behind instructors before going progressively faster. Also classroom instruction and direction was a key to making it a safer and better experience for first-time racers. This photo is from an Ed Bargy directed WERA school at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in February of 1986. The coolest thing about this photo is I think that is Scott Russell taking his test with the Gatorade bottle in front of him.

This is a rare find! I believe that is Scott Russell taking his riders school test (with the Gatorade bottle in front of him), during his first road race weekend at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in February of 1986. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Kenny Tolbert’s Kawasaki Grand National team ran out of money leaving Brad Baker looking for a new ride. Read more.