(October 11, Knoxville, TN) The Barber Vintage Festival experienced serious challenges with impending weather. Thursday and Friday Practice days and the Pro Challenge qualifying went off in perfect dry conditions. Due to mandatory breakdown of pit canopies Friday night the decision was made to delay Saturday’s race start by one hour to get everyone sorted for the day. The poor Saturday weather required AHRMA to plan extra measures to complete the schedule of 18 races.

Races began as planned after track inspection, in safe rain racing conditions at 9:00 a.m. All 18 races (with a total of 600 entries) were run, reduced from 8 laps to 6 (with the exception of the Pro Challenge) to account for longer start-to-finish times and a hard stop time of 5:00 p.m.

The Pro Challenge was scheduled to run directly after the lunch break. 10 of the 25 competitors did not start the race.

Scheduled for 12 laps, the race ended after 8 laps on a red flag because a bike was down on the front straight, and the race was declared completed.

Stefano Mesa won on his Boulder Motorsports 749R with a fastest lap of 1:41.076 and a margin of 8.9 seconds over Eli Block on a Built By Block Aprilia RS660 with a fastest lap of 1:42.383.

The $ 27,000.00 purse was distributed as follows:

Pro Payout

1^st Place $ 7,500.00

2^nd Place $  5,000.00

3^rd Place $  3,500.00

4^th Place $  2,200.00

5^th Place $  1,500.00

Non-Pro Payout for AHRMA qualified racers

1^st Place  $ 2,500.00

2^nd Place $ 1,875.00

3^rd Place $ 1,250.00

4^th Place $ 1,000.00

5^th Place $    675.00

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. 

Results:

Pro Entries

1-Stefano Mesa – 2005 Ducati 749RS

2-Eli Block – 2024 Aprilia RS 660

3-Robertino Pietri – 2019 Kalex Moto 2

4-Taylor Knapp – 2023 Triumph 765 Moto 2

5-Michael Hilton – 2006 Ducati 749XR

6-Melissa Paris – 2022 MV Agusta 800 F3

Non-Pro AHRMA Member Entries

1-Mark Heckles – 2023 Kramer GP2 890R Hooligan

2-Declan Bender – 2011 Triumph 765R

3-Tommy Ryan – 2024 Kramer GP2890RR

4-Josh Everett – 2024 Triumph 765 Street Triple

5-Abhinay Eswarappa – 2022 Kramer HKR 690 Evo2 S

6- Steve Metz – 2023 Pierobon X80R

7-Emma Betters – 2023 Aprilia RS660

8-Casey Clark – 2024 Triumph Street Triple

DNS-Nate Kern                       2023 BMW R nine T

DNS-Sam Wiest                     2006 Bimota DB5

DNS-Dakota Wolter             2006 Bimota DB5

DNS- Oliver Hutchinson    2007 Yamaha TZ250

DNS-Sean Dougherty         2005 Ducati DS1000 Supersport

DNS-Tony Strippoli               2025 Kramer GP2 890xx

DNS-Kevin Wiater                 2024 Kramer GP2 890RR

DNS-Gus Rodio                     2005 NCR Millona

DNS-Jules Wagner               2020 Kramer KTM 690

DNS-Kyle Kearcher              2023 KTM RC8C

DQ-Clint Austin                     2023 KTM RC8C- * Caused red flag

About AHRMA

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With nearly 3,000 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.