The starting grid for the 1985 Nelson Ledges WERA 24 Hour National Endurance race. I had the “privilege” of covering the Nelson 24 a couple of times. The race was a tradition that was somewhat prestigious to win in the 1970s and ‘80s. When I was there in the mid-1980s the track was in horrible condition and I was amazed they even had motorcycle races there. For the hordes of Nelson Ledges 24 fans, the motorcycle race was really just an excuse to gather for a 24 hour infield party. I remember walking through the infield in the middle of the night and it was like a scene out of “Apocalypse Now” rivaling the debauchery I’d witnessed for the first time two years earlier at Loudon. I think WERA quit running the Nelson 24 Hour sometime in the late 1980s or early ‘90s and the race just sort of went away, a relic of a different era of motorcycle racing.
Teams prepare for the start of the 1985 Nelson Ledges 24 Hour. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
Hi Larry,
Would this fall into the file of:
“When sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous”
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Absolutely
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I managed to do it in 89,90 & 91.Hitting the tar strips in the rain at night at high speed was probably the nuttiest thing i ever did on a bike!
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I remember my first time on the bike at that race…11PM, raining and there were frogs in the turns! Yikes!!
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I remember snapping (I think) turtles crossing the back section of the track and grass growing out of the track surface.
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I remember we won the LW class in 1991 – G&M Racing (Greg & Mike – thanks guys – I hope your ribs are OK Greg!)- great, great memories!! – down about 20+ laps with about 4 hours to go but the 1st place team (F&S) blew their motor – beat the all girl’s team (Red Hot Racing?) by about 7 laps – we had some issues and I think I rode about 8 hours total – had no feeling in my shoulders for about 2 weeks. 20 years ago but almost seems like yesterday.
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A lot of good memories from that race for sure. Thanks for sharing guys.
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We raced the 24 from 1975 to 1982. 1980 1st in 600 class then later a 2nd and 3rd. Loved that race every year. Taught me how to ride. Thanks for the site. UPS/Penton Honda
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won our class, lw production in 1983 with a stone stock Yamaha 400 SECA, 8th overall, had under 11min total pit time. 2nd place in our class had an RZ350, way faster but they crashed something like 7 times! that was my 8th and last 24hr. most fun I ever had. Nothing beats racing at night!
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