Geoff & Barb Nickless

Through The Lens: Wet Home Alabama

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Oct 15, 2026 | Industry & Racing | 0

In the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd southern rock anthem, the skies were blue, but not this year when the first Atlantic hurricane, Isaias, bore down menacingly on the Gulf coast. Rain and windy weather aside, the 21st annual Barber Vintage Festival went ahead. Scheduled events went on as planned with volunteers, riders, and fans committed to the weekend’s success. Thursday through Sunday were packed with all things motorcycle. The swap meet area was loaded with parts, bikes, gear, and anything and everything a collector or restorer would want to own. Road Dirt’s own Mike Boyd took care of his shopping early and took home a 1973 Honda XL 250 to ride around the Georgia hills.

MotoAmerica at VIR: Behind the Scenes

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Aug 27, 2026 | Industry & Racing | 1

The paddock at a major motorcycle racing event sprouts up overnight like a traveling circus. Haulers, trucks, and vans with trailers arrive from all over the country, and all day into late evening. It becomes a campground of motor homes big and small, portable tents, toolboxes, camping gear, propane BBQs, motorcycles (of course) and all things necessary to support a rider as they pursue what they love- motorcycle road racing. Whatever track MotoAmerica rolls into, this racing circus appears and is gone as quickly as it went up. The only things missing are the elephants and peanuts.

MotoAmerica at Laguna Seca 2026

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Jul 21, 2026 | Industry & Racing | 0

MotoAmerica’s annual stop in Monterey marks the mid-season for teams and riders. The wear and tear of the season begins to take its toll. Losing sponsors, injuries, and mechanical breakdowns tax the resolve of everyone in the paddock. Somehow though, the riders are internally programed to lay it on the line and race as if nothing else matters. This provided the fans an exciting two days of wheel-to-wheel action at the famed Laguna Seca circuit.

Rain on the Ridge

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Jul 7, 2026 | Industry & Racing | 0

There have been many anecdotes about rainy weather throughout history, but this past weekend at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington brought to mind one that is parodied more often than others. Even Snoopy used Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s quote, “It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents-except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the” track. Friday, June 26th was a challenging day for everyone at the racetrack. Wind and rain, in sheets, rolled through off and on during the day, yet somehow MotoAmerica riders managed to brave it all and complete qualifying for Saturday. Teams, crews, riders, media and everyone it takes to run a race event hunkered down without complaining and got the job done!

The Road To AFT

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | May 19, 2026 | Industry & Racing | 0

This 2026 season, AFT has launched a new program to encourage and inspire young amateur flat trackers to look ahead to becoming professionals. The Road to AFT consists of seven races, the first of which was held on March 4th at Daytona Beach, FL. A partnership with CTR (Cory Texter Racing) showcases the seven events and young 450cc riders must qualify at a showcase event the day before the AFT race, to run the event, the next day. The young riders are given guidance on completing tech before and after races. Each rear wheel is taken off and weighed and must be 34 lbs. or less. Dismounting the wheel after a competitive race is exhausting. Tech photographs each bike and then riders are given permission to remove the wheel for inspection.

Through The Lens: Remembering Mert Lawwill

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | May 8, 2026 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life | 3

It began Wednesday night, after dinner here on the West Coast. The phone was ringing and both cell phones were pinging from texts and emails. “Did you hear that Mert Lawwill passed away?” were the messages. Stories from industry friends and old riders began to be shared about what a pleasure it was to have known Mert. As we have been reconnecting and reminiscing with our motorcycle family these past few days, our memories of Mert are pleasant ones. We thought we would share some of these through our photography of him over the decades.

Through The Lens: Jay Springsteen

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 13, 2026 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes | 0

While up on stage in the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame interview with Terry “Ike” Clanton, Jay quipped, “Me and Corky made Kenny Roberts famous at the 1975 Indy Mile!” His reference was to the fact that Kenny caught them on his Champion framed, Kel Carruthers tuned, TZ750 Miler on the exit of Turn 4 onto the front straight on the last lap, and won by a wheel length.

Through The Lens: Eddie Lawson

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 5, 2026 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes | 4

When Geoff first began photographing racing as a young adult, he would often go to races just to spectate and practice his new hobby of photography. He unknowingly captured Eddie as a 250-Novice road racer at Sears Point in Sonoma, California. While at a dinner for Kenny Roberts’ charity, he gave Eddie a copy of this photo. Eddie’s response was, “Where did you get that??” Geoff replied, “I shot it at Sears Point in 1977.” Eddie then shared that his wife knew nothing of this era of his racing and that he couldn’t wait to share it with her.

Through The Lens: The Fong Factor

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Sep 23, 2025 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life | 5

September 26th-28th in New Jersey, one of these three talented riders will wear the number 1 plate next season. As the points currently stand, after 27 races, Bobby is in the lead with 314, Cameron second with 306, and Josh third with 292. It’s anyone’s guess who will claim the 2025 championship, with only three 20-lap races to go and 75 points up for grabs. Currently, Bobby has five 1st place finishes, Cameron has five, and Josh six. If somehow there is a tie in points, these stats become very important in determining who will clinch the Superbike title. Will the “Fong Factor” come into play in New Jersey?