Hodaka Days: MID-OHIO
July 28-30, 2006, Lexington Ohio

The Hodaka gathering in Ohio this year is combined with the annual national American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) event known as "Mid-Ohio" to which thousands upon thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts flock. In an unprecedented move by AHRMA, HODAKA was named classic (though no longer produced) marque for the year.

Thanks to Stu Osborn for earliest photos; Stu apparently commandeered the computer system in the hotel lobby to get these out. Wombat-Rat Express is certainly better than Pony Express, Stu! Once people were home again and somewhat recovered, photos rolled in from Ed Chesnut, Gregg Floren, Kelly McKiernan, "Hollywood" Mark Jarecki ... as well as more from Stu. Keep checking in; photos are being uploaded as quickly as time allows. Scroll on this page for a sampling, then follow these links for others:

Lots of anecdotes float around after an event such as this one. Perhaps the one that says the most about the event AND about Hodaka-ites is this one. Greg Bastek reports: "I broke the Wolverine in the first Sportsman 125 race after winning the first 125 Hodaka race. Then, as I brought Paul's 100 to the line for him for the 2nd Hodaka race, I was without anything to ride and basically out of time. Then Darrin (Tucker) signaled to me and I walked over. He told me to ride his bike. ... Thanks again Darrin!"

And for identification assistance on bikes and owners/riders, here's some numbers to look for: #16A David Evans, #86N Ed Chesnut, #39F Bob Brooks, #19K Jeff Hackett, #68F Darrin Tucker, #647 Bill (in VA) Van Velzer, #825 Jared Scott, #88C Gary Copeland, #84V Tim Carpenter, #905 Tommy Croft, #28U Phil Ketchum, #45Q Mark'Hollywood' Jarecki, #324 Randy Smith, #53H Paul Stannard, #14U Andy Lippert.

Results of races are posted at AHRMA.org but here's a quick summary of Hodaka performers from Randy Smith's notes:
Classic 125 --

Sportsman 125 --

The Hodaka "Hodakaville" display tent at the Mid-Ohio gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts in Lexington, Ohio just before the rush of attendees arrived on Friday morning, July 28th. The annual "Hodaka Days" gathering of Hodaka motorcycle enthusiats is being held in the infield of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during a full weekend of festivities, including a large parts Swap Meet, Trials event, Road race and Vintage Motocross. On Friday, nearly 1000 visitors viewed the displays, walked through the Hodaka motorcycle museum or attended the technical seminars inside the two tents at "Hodakaville". [Overall estimates for weekend visitors to Hodakaville range widely; counts were obviously difficult.]

Jay Lael of Molalla, Oregon before riding another section of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Trials event on Friday, July 28th in Lexington, Ohio. Lael is recognized as an Observed Trials expert in the sport.


PHOTO GEMS FROM "Hollywood" Mark Jarecki and cohorts
Himself!Savanna, his number 1 fan!

The Eichorn-Hollywood battle!



Inside the Hodaka "Hodakaville" display tent at the Mid-Ohio gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts in Lexington, Ohio on Friday morning, July 28th. The oranged-tanked motorcycles in the foreground are from left, a "Super Combat" and a "Super Rat".
Three of the most accomplished Hodaka motorcycle builders in the nation at the Mid-Ohio gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts in Lexington, Ohio. Pictured near the main Hodaka tent on Friday morning, July 28th from left, Harry Taylor of Athena, Oregon, Roger Lippiatt of Salem, Ohio and George Cone of Mustang, Oklahoma.

MORE FROM STU on July 31st:

"Their website said the event attracts about 50,000 people every year; I'd say this year they topped that number by at least 10,000. I tried to keep track of how many people came in and out of the Hodaka Tent on Friday and I counted roughly about 60 per hour or 1 a minute peaking to about 100 an hour. It was busier when I filled in for Ed Burrows as Overseer on Saturday so I'd say the display saw roughly 1,000 visitors on Friday and maybe up to a total of 1,800 - 2,000 on Saturday. Sunday was light as we tore it down...

"It was quite a great time for all, especially those of us volunteering to be Overseers and Greeters since we could strike up conversations with the attendees and ask questions like, "What Hodaka did you own when you were a kid?" That question would always spawn a long dissertation and walk down memory lane. But the cool thing to see were the people who wore a wide grin as they walked through the tent looking in awe at all the bikes... You didn't have to even say anything to them to know they were really enjoying the displays and remembering their own Hodaka."

The Hodaka Observed Trials team at Mid-Ohio just before the national American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Trials event began on Friday morning, July 28th in Lexington, Ohio. From left, David Perret, Tim Carpenter, Rick Mott, Jay Lael and Ed Chesnut. Nearly 100 competitors entered in several engine size categries and three skill levels on difficult, woody terrain adjacent to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Lael of Molalla, Oregon placed 1st in the Sportsman 125 Expert Class.



Chris Atcher sent this picture of the Strictly Hodaka pits during the MX.


Inside the Hodaka museum, with bikes displayed to show the evolution of the Hodaka Motorcycle from the Yamguchi to the last models - the 175 SL and the Dirt Squirt 80.[Not all are pictured in these two shots.]



Created/copyrighted July 29-August 8, 2006 JHM Associates