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RACE WATCH

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Two-stroke roadracing thrives

Two-stroke fans, don't despair! Sure, the AMA killed the 250cc Grand Prix class and yeah, 500cc GP bikes have been run over by four-strokes, but with the United States Grand Prix Riders Union, 125 and 250cc stroker pilots still have a place to race.

"The USGPRU basically started because there was a gap to fill when the Grand Prix Racing Association fell apart," says Chief Steward Stewart Aitken-Cade. "Motorcycle dealer Tony Bell started the GPRA for 125cc GP rac ers, but he sold it and it failed. A few of my racing friends got together and we launched USGPRU three years ago."

Aitken-Cade and his fellow racers saw another gap to be filled when the AMA cut the 250cc GP class at the end of the 2003 season. “We’re committed to the 250s through this season,” Aitken-Cade continues. “And if entries improve and there’s enough interest, this class will be a permanent part of our program.”

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The USGPRU (www.usgpru.net) consists of volunteers, including AitkenCade, his Eastern Regional Steward Dennis Woods and Western Regional Stewards Jeff Lim and Darrel Baker. “Most of us are broke racers racing for fun,” Aitken-Cade explains. “That’s why we’ve separated the series into two regions. At the end of the year, we hold a single championship race, and that race will alternate between the East and West. So conceivably, a rider will only have to make a cross-country trip maybe once a year, but he or she will be able to ride against the best 125 and 250cc racers in the country.”

The USGPRU schedule runs on AMA Championship Cup Series and Formula USA weekends, and includes timed qualifying for grid spots. And it pays money: “In our first year, we offered about $500 in purse money, but we’re now paying a $2700 purse in 125 and a $1700 purse in 250,” Aitken-Cade says. “But we also have some fantastic parts and contingency sponsors. For instance, we give away a set of Motion Pro tools every weekend, and we also hand out awards like Hard Charger and Tough Luck-awards that are a lot of fun and not just aimed at the winners. USGPRU is for racers, by racers.” -Nick Ienatsch