Jeff James (5) and a group of other riders stage in the pits for a practice session during a WERA race weekend at Road Atlanta in May of 1986. James was one of the top B Production racers in WERA during the mid-1980s and he served as a rider’s school instructor as well. Later that summer James established a motorcycle track record at Watkins Glen which probably still stands since motorcycles haven’t raced there since. Also visible in the photo are Neil Barker (35), Buck Clemson (behind James) and Bob Englert (on the Pennzoil sponsored Yamaha).
Jeff James (5) and a group of other riders stage in the pits for a practice session during a WERA race weekend at Road Atlanta in May of 1986. Also visible in the photo are Neil Barker (35), Buck Clemson (behind James) and Bob Englert (on the Pennzoil sponsored Yamaha). (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
Jeff James was my rider school instructor. After the races started that day, I watched my instructor crash while braking into turn one in Pocono. He was in the top three at the time about 4 laps into the race. He crashed, then semi-consciously he walked down the straightaway through the remaining racers and by some kind of miracle, nobody hit him. Was a great instructor…I started my first race in the second wave with my orange (warning riderschool newby) shirt over my leathers and proceeded to win. Thanks Jeff!
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You look deep into this photo and it screams of life in a simpler time. Minimalist fairings, GSXR’s had not yet arrived en force, helmet and visor systems at their very basic. A rider in Perron Leathers. Me personally, I’d like life to return to that level of basic necessity.
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Mark,
My bike was bone stock in my first WERA road race in 1980. I even rode it to the track. Duct tape over the lights, number plates screwed on and you were good to go. That said, my front brakes would fade to the bar after about four laps at IRP.
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Is that the Jeff James I used to ride with back in the seabreeze [dreamland] days?Irondequoit NY. I had a Matchless he road an old Triumph, Lost track of him in the 70’s My first race was in circleville OH. 10 years ago 45 years old, on a twingled 750 yamaha,sponsered by a friend Doug Horner VMC racing frames. Came in 2nd. Happy to say I havent met a motorcycle I didn’t like. Got a garage full!Jeff brings back some good memories.
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