Craig Roberts usually spends his days treating seeds and spreading fertilizer for farmers in Lethbridge, Alberta. But for one special weekend, he packed up his prized 1947 Harley-Davidson FL Dual Carb Knucklehead and embarked on a nearly 2,400-mile journey to Wildwood, New Jersey. His mission? To unleash the raw power of his vintage motorcycle in an exhilarating drag race along a stretch of the iconic Jersey Shore.
In Wildwood, Roberts, 49, and his friend Thom Jones – who also built and maintains his bike – proudly sported matching white sweaters. These weren’t just any sweaters; Roberts had personally customized them with intricate felt lettering and embroidered stitching. The front boldly declared, “Drag Racing Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads,” while the back bore the distinctive name of his motorcycle, “The Chinook Wind.”
“It took quite a while, I’m certainly no seamstress!” he quipped, highlighting the dedication behind his unique attire.
While the thrilling races are undoubtedly the main attraction, much of the event’s charm comes from the vibrant personalities, such as Mel Stultz, Thom Jones, Craig Roberts, and Randy Hayward, who fully embrace the vintage aesthetic.
Roberts’ meticulously crafted outfit and dedication to period-appropriate details perfectly encapsulate the collective passion shared at The Race of Gentlemen (TROG). This extraordinary event, celebrated for its classic motorcycles and vintage hot rods, truly defies easy description.
Participants and onlookers alike describe TROG as a living “time capsule,” transporting everyone back to an era of roaring panhead engines, gleaming steel-bodied roadsters, and the iconic sight of pinup girls waving checkered flags. It’s a blend of rockabilly swagger and greaser cool, a weekend where the atmosphere feels like a scene from a vintage movie, almost as if Mad Max met a retro-chic Williamsburg.
The sight of these magnificent vintage motorcycles thundering across the sand instantly transports onlookers back to decades long past.
“There are some impressive beards out here this year,” announced Nick Foster, TROG’s lively M.C., over the loudspeakers. He then playfully cautioned the enthusiastic crowd, “Ladies, please refrain from throwing your brassieres onto the track!”
Foster, 49, perfectly embodied the event’s spirit, sporting a sharp checkered suit, a Stetson Open Road hat, and a perpetually chomped cigar. It was an exhaustive weekend for him, navigating the demanding schedule with a mix of vocal training from his musical theater background and the occasional fortifying sip of whiskey. Saturday was dedicated to practice, setting the stage for Sunday’s intense bracket-style competition featuring approximately 200 drivers across various categories.
“We take this ridiculously seriously,” Roberts admitted, a hint of playful exaggeration in his tone. “Perhaps even a bit too seriously!”
Ultimately, the core spirit of the weekend revolves around creating an unforgettable, enjoyable experience for both the passionate participants and the cheering spectators alike.
Foster found endless amusement in fabricating elaborate stories about Mel Stultz, the visionary founder of TROG back in 2012, who remains the event’s creative heartbeat. On Saturday, Stultz himself was a sight, strolling the beach barefoot, clad in a weathered U.S. Marines T-shirt and cuffed trousers. One memorable tale from Foster suggested, “Sometimes, at night, Mel chases stray animals.”
Stultz, 55, further enhanced the vintage atmosphere, occasionally cruising around in a classic 1954 Land Rover, evoking the image of a seasoned general from a bygone era.
The town of Wildwood itself perfectly complemented the nostalgic atmosphere with its classic boardwalk attractions and charming amusement park rides like Rollie’s Coaster, the Doo Wopper, and the Wild Whizzer. Yet, it was the sun-drenched beach, with its wide expanse of sand, that truly captivated everyone.
“Can you imagine being anywhere else?” asked Kim McCullough, 61, from Pompton Plains, New Jersey, beaming from the driver’s seat of her meticulously reconstructed 1932 Ford. Her eight-cylinder engine was a particular source of pride. “It’s a flathead, just as God intended,” she declared.
At TROG, every single detail contributes to the immersive, authentic experience.
McCullough fondly remembered being the kind of young girl who gravitated towards Matchbox cars rather than Barbies. Today, she heads the marketing department for a major motorsports operation and, true to her roots, occasionally gets behind the wheel herself. On Saturday, she was dressed in blue Dickies coveralls, classic white Chuck Taylor All-Stars, and a wide-brimmed hat, which she confidently swapped for a helmet and goggles before her practice runs.
When curious newcomers inquire about her hot rod’s top speed on the sand, her answer is always the same: she has no idea.
“I don’t even have a speedometer,” she clarified with a smile. “My main concern is simply monitoring the oil temperature.”
The iconic backdrop of vintage amusement park rides further enhances the authentic, period-accurate feel of the event.
For participants and spectators alike, the raw speed of these incredible machines isn’t the primary focus; it’s all about the experience.
Despite men being the majority on the drag strip, McCullough emphasized that she has always felt a strong sense of welcome and support within the TROG community. She particularly enjoys the distinctive aesthetics, especially among the motorcycle racers: the rugged leather boots, the stylish jackets, the meticulously groomed facial hair, and the classic pomade.
“It’s not just a facade,” she asserted. “This is the genuine article.”
Among the seasoned participants, Randy Hayward, 61, is regarded as one of the true veterans. A cherished fixture of the event, known for his vibrant presence in denim overalls, striped sleeves, and a vintage biker cap, Hayward found himself spectating this year due to a broken leg. As he moved through the crowd on crutches, warmly greeting friends, Foster couldn’t resist offering a fanciful explanation for his injury.
“Apparently, he rescued some Detroit children from a burning bus that was under attack by wolves,” Foster dramatically recounted, “and then, of course, he promptly sent the wolves to an animal rehabilitation facility.”
In reality, Hayward sustained his injury while leading a motorcycle safety demonstration.
“I probably shouldn’t be revealing that,” he admitted with a chuckle, before adding, “I’m sticking with the ‘New York bar fight’ story.”
The vibrant crowd on Wildwood’s beaches included, clockwise from top left: Rob Ida, a renowned car designer; April Sunday Dawson, an enthusiastic spectator; Robert Nieves, a dedicated participant; and Kim McCullough, the Chief Marketing Officer of Parella Motorsports Holdings, LLC.
Hayward, residing just outside Detroit, is not only a passionate motorcycle collector but also a respected historian, particularly focused on the overlooked contributions of Black Americans to early 20th-century racing. Upon his retirement as a schools superintendent a few years prior, his colleagues were naturally inquisitive about his future endeavors.
“My plan was simple: build motorcycles, race motorcycles, and write books about motorcycles,” he stated, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “It is, quite simply, my life’s passion.”
This infectious passion soon spread to Mike Elford, a friend and fellow motorcycle enthusiast. During a lunch last year, Elford confided in Hayward about the taxing demands of his heating and cooling business.
“I’ve been feeling a bit down recently,” Elford, 44, recounted telling Hayward. “It feels like all I do is work.”
Since its inception in 2012, this incredible event has grown into a highly anticipated destination, drawing enthusiasts from all corners of the globe.
Hayward then shared his plans for a cross-country motorcycle ride that summer and extended an invitation to Elford. After receiving his wife’s enthusiastic approval, Elford was completely on board.
“Now,” Elford happily reported, “it’s become almost a monthly ritual for us to embark on new adventures.”
Having attended TROG as a spectator the previous year, Elford decided to take the plunge last weekend, racing his 1945 Harley-Davidson. Despite the motorcycle being quite small for his 6-foot-5 frame, he was undeterred.
“Do I expect to win? Absolutely not,” he declared with a grin. “I’m a big guy on a small bike. But I genuinely don’t care. My sole purpose here is to have an incredible time.”
Amidst the thunderous roar of vintage engines and Foster’s entertaining, vaudeville-esque antics, Elford truly immersed himself in the unique spectacle surrounding him.
“It’s as if you cross the bridge,” he mused, “and suddenly, you’re transported straight into 1955.”
Showcasing a truly timeless spectacle that could have occurred any time in the past nine decades, Mike Kozlowski expertly revved up his magnificent 1931 Ford Model A Roadster, accelerating with authentic vintage flair.