Lambert and his Underdog VFR

• Larry Lawrence

Jimmi Lambert races his sweet-looking Honda VFR750 in a WERA A or B Production race at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in August of 1986. This was well into the Yamaha FZ and Suzuki GSXR revolution in the club ranks and Lambert was one of the very few riders who raced the production classes on the VFR, a bike in stock form that was considered heavy and underpowered. In spite of the apparent disadvantage Lambert scored good results during the ’86 season. He took a solid fifth in the A Production final at the WERA Grand National Final at the end of that season, just behind Chris Martone and just ahead of Fritz Kling.

Jimmi Lambert races his sweet-looking Honda VFR750 in a WERA A or B Production race at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in August of 1986. The VFR in production form was said to be heavy and underpowered, but Lambert had some good results in WERA racing ultimately finishing fifth in a loaded A Prod field at the WERA Grand National Final that season. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Jimmi Lambert races his sweet-looking Honda VFR750 in a WERA A or B Production race at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in August of 1986. The VFR in production form was said to be heavy and underpowered, but Lambert had some good results in WERA racing ultimately finishing fifth in a loaded A Prod field at the WERA Grand National Final that season. (Larry Lawrence photo)

3 thoughts on “Lambert and his Underdog VFR”

  1. In my opinion Jimmi was one of the best roadracers of the time. His biggest limiter was his equipment. He was the only racer I knew who would ride his old VF750F or FZ750 from his house in Anniston, Al to TGPR for a race do well and ride back home. He helped me go faster than I ever thought possible.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words Van! Your friendship was one of the prime motivators in “the day.”
      You were the only one of the Group who maintained a level and positive demeanor in everything you did. Others who I cant mention just used me as a stepping stone to their own plaques on the wall. I wish you all the best the world has to offer! And yes, I can still drag my finger on the ground in a turn, my SVO will always kick your GT’s butt, and of course I still have a crush on AMY!!! You da man!

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      1. Glad to see you found this great site and awesome picture of yourself. Those leathers are still some of the best looking ever made! Hope we can hook up and reminisce about the good times (trash truck). Wish I still had the GT or one of your SVO’s. I will give Amy your regards. Hit me back
        so we can get together. (van_lamberty@aol.com)

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