For years the AMA National was held in Laconia, N.H. and the Belknap Recreation Area. In 1965 Bryar Motorsports Park was built and the annual New England Motorcycle Rally and AMA national road races were moved to the new location, in spite of the fact that the track was still under construction.
The 250 Grand Prix (then called Combined Expert/Amateur 250cc Road Race) was the first national-level race held on the track and this is the start of that race.
Gary Nixon is getting the holeshot on his No. 9 machine, but he was out early. Jody Nicholas (58) then led on his Bultaco. Nicholas looked like he was one the way to winning, when in the middle of the 57-lap race, the skies opened up and Nicholas slid out in a rain-soaked turn. That put Tony Murphy in the lead on the No. 3 factory Yamaha.
Murphy went on to win the race over Dick Mann (2) and Donald Twigg. So Murphy had the honor of winning the first national at Loudon.
Other riders in the photo include Jess Thomas (28), Mert Lawwill (18), Anson Holly (56), John Graham (84) and Ted Davis (90).
The start of the Loudon 250cc National, the first national ever on the track in 1965. Gary Nixon (9) gets the early jump, but it was Tony Murphy (3) who came through for the victory. (Tony Murphy Collection)
Rider Files 
This website, and these stories right here, are how I start my day! Thanks Larry, don’t ever stop!
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Thank you
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Thats a great pic Larry,the first race thats awesome.
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See the official in white (behind bike #2) running and looking back is
Al Wilcox of Trenton New Jersey. He was the starter that day along with
another gentleman whose name I cannot pronounce. Al is still starting WERA races at Summit Point and is our official starter for Motorcycle Xcitement Track Days and Road Racing School. We are honored and proud to still have Al working at the racetracks. Al will be back at Summit Point Thursday, May 27.
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Wow. Good eye Roger. He looks like he was serving as grid marshal in this race.
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Al was THE STARTER that day, along with the taller official with the striped shirt.
See the rider looking down at his stalled bike on the second wave. Al is looking at that and probably running for his other flag.
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Al Wilcox is sitting here looking at the photo. This was the warm-up lap for the race. Al moved to the other side of the track to start the race. The referee’s name is Berkeley Barron from Cranston, R.I. Larry you need to call Al wilcox on these photos to get the story right. Keep them coming! Great stuff.
P.S. If you watch “On Any Sunday” you will see Al starting the Loudon race in 1970
wearing his blue uniform and jumping 3 feet in the air!
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Al Wilcox often was the starter for WERA races in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s. I remember his nickname, “Airborne Al Wilcox”.
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Is #155 Roger Reiman?
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David,
Reiman was in this race, but not sure he was No. 155 at that point. That year at Daytona the 250 rider with No. 155 was a guy named Buel Gray. Don’t know if the numbers carried over to all races.
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