Mesa wins Pro Challenge race at the 20^th Annual Barber Vintage Festival.

Stefano Mesa, riding Brian Larrabure’s 2006 Ducati 749RS built by Boulder Motorsports wins the 4^th annual Pro Challenge on Saturday during the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) road race held at the Barber Motorsports Park.

Sponsored by Fast by Ferracci Racing Products and Moto Corse Performance with supporting sponsors Larrabure Framing and NOLA Riding Academy, the Pro Challenge was a 12-lap featured race highlighted during the 20^th Annual Barber Vintage Festival in conjunction with the AHRMA National Roadracing series presented by Motobilia season finale.  The race included 27 competitors with a split purse payout of $20,750 covering the top five Pro and top five Non-Pro racers.

This year’s race was run under AHRMA Sound of Thunder 2 rules which included Liquid cooled twins to 900cc, liquid cooled triples to 765cc and unlimited air cooled twins for a great mix of machines.

The Pro Challenge took place immediately following lunchtime activities on Saturday afternoon.  Mesa, took the hole shot into turn one, increasing his lead each lap, taking the checkered flag unchallenged for first in the Pro category.  Taylor Knapp, took second on a 2023 Triumph 765 Moto2, Gus Rodio third on a 2006 NCR Millona 1100, Michael Hilton fourth on a 2014 Ducati 899, and Nate Kern taking fifth position in the money racing a 2023 BMW R nineT. The top 5 in the Non-pro category included Mark Heckles in first on a 2006 Ducati 1200 Paul Smart, Kevin Wiater second on a 2022 KTM RC8C, Dalton Dimmick third riding his 2025 Ducati Panigale V2S, Brett Folkers in fourth on a 2022 Kramer 890 GP2, and Clint Austin in fifth place riding a 2023 KTM RC8C.

The $20,750 purse was distributed as follows:

Pro Payout

1st place $6,000

2nd place $3,600

3rd place $2,400

4th place $1,800

5th place $1,200

Non-pro Payout to AHRMA qualified racers

1st place $2,000

2nd place $1,500

3rd place $1,000

4th place $750

5th place $500

AHRMA’s annual Pro Challenge run at the Barber Vintage Festival allows pro riders to bring added attention and prestige to an already world-renowned event. By offering a generous purse, this race draws top talent from around the world.

2025 4^th Annual Pro Champion Race Winners

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Pro Competitors

1. Stefano Mesa, 2006 Ducati 749RS, Boca Raton, FL
2. Taylor Knapp, 2023 Triumph 765 Moto2, Harvest AL
3. Gus Rodio, NCR Millona 1100, Hammonton, NJ
4. Michael Hilton, 2014 Ducati 899, Murfreesboro, TN
5. Nate Kern, 2023 BMW R nineT, Cumming, GA

Non-pro AHRMA Competitors

1. Mark Heckles, 2006 Ducati 1200 Paul Smart, Bedford, NY
2. Kevin Wiater, 2022 KTM RC8C, Hanover Park, IL
3. Dalton Dimick, 2025 Ducati Panigale V2S, Timnath, CO
4. Brett Folkerts, 2022 Kramer 890 GP2, Urbandale, IA
5. Clint Austin, 2023 KTM RC8C, Cut Off, LA

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With almost 3000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.