AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2026 takes over Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course from July 24 to 26. Three days of national championship racing, a swap meet that covers nearly 80 acres, and a bike show packed with machines most riders have only seen in old magazines. If Lexington, Ohio, is on your calendar this summer, here's what actually happens at this AMA motorcycle event, where it happens, and what to have on you for three days on your feet.
What Is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
VMD started as a way to keep old machines running and old stories alive. It's not a single race or a single show. It's a full weekend built around motorcycles that are decades old, some pushing a century.
The American Motorcyclist Association has represented riders since 1924, working on motorcyclists' interests at the local, state, and federal level. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, established in 1998, exists to collect, record, preserve, and honor the people and events that make up the history of motorcycling in America. All proceeds from Vintage Motorcycle Days, including the raffle bike and silent auction, go back to supporting that museum. This vintage motorcycle rally isn't just entertainment. It funds the history behind it.
2026 Dates, Location, and How to Get There
Vintage Motorcycle Days runs July 24 through 26, 2026, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, 7721 Steam Corners Rd, Lexington, OH 44904.
Mid-Ohio's 380-acre facility is centrally located and reachable from any direction, which is part of why this AMA motorcycle rally draws riders from across the country every July. Full directions, parking notes, and lodging options are posted at Vintage Motorcycle Days, the event's official site. Worth checking before you leave, since infield parking and camping both fill up fast on a weekend this size.
Vintage Racing at VMD
Racing is the backbone of this vintage motorcycle festival. Mid-Ohio's size allows the AMA to host National Championship competition across six disciplines in a single weekend, something few venues in the country can pull off.
- Road Racing puts hand-shifted pre-war machines and modern non-current superbikes on the same 2.4-mile circuit, building toward the AMA Vintage Road Racing Grand Championship. Practice runs Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with racing starting Saturday at noon and Sunday at 10 a.m., wrapping with awards at 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Motocross runs on a period-correct grass track with modest jumps, split into Vintage, Evolution, and Revolution classes. Racing begins Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for Vintage/Evolution/Evolution 1, and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for Evolution 2/Evolution 3/Revolution, with awards 30 minutes after each day's racing wraps.
- Flat Track happens 25 miles away at the Ashland County Fairgrounds half-mile, part of the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series. It's a Saturday-only event: registration runs 1 to 4 p.m., practice starts at 4 p.m., and racing begins at 6 p.m.
- Hare Scrambles covers a one-hour, 3.5-mile natural-terrain loop through woods, fields, and creek crossings. Racing runs all day Friday, starting with youth class races at 8:45 a.m. and running through Revolution races at 2 p.m., with awards 30 minutes after the last race.
- Trials tests balance and control on natural-terrain routes without stalling, crashing, or dabbing a foot down. Competition runs Sunday only, starting at 9:30 a.m. after a 9:15 a.m. rider briefing.
- Pit Bike Racing features small-displacement bikes on a compact dirt track, with open classes alongside national championship classes for weekend riders. It runs Friday and Saturday, with practice at 5 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. both days.
Two single-moto specialty races round things out. The Golden Cup, for air-cooled 125cc two-strokes from the late 1970s, runs Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. The King's Cup, for air-cooled open-class two-strokes from the '70s and '80s, runs Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m.
Youth riders are welcome across most disciplines: trials from age 4, motocross and hare scrambles from age 9, flat track from age 12 (brakeless class excluded), and road racing from age 14.
For exact class breakdowns and entry requirements, the AMA publishes the full 2026 VMD Race Schedule, along with separate meet guidelines for the Road Racing and Off-Road disciplines. Worth reading before you submit an entry, since class eligibility varies by machine era and modification level.
The Swap Meet, Bike Show, and Everything Else
Racing isn't the only draw. VMD packs a full weekend of on-track programming, built for riders who want more than a grandstand seat.
Swap Meet
For many riders, the swap meet is the whole reason they show up. Covering nearly 80 acres with over 800 vendor spots, it's one of the largest motorcycle swap meets in the country, running everything from early American project bikes to 1980s sportbikes to the minibikes riders grew up on.
Bike Show
The juried bike show runs Saturday afternoon across American, British/European, and Japanese motorcycle classes, split by decade from 1940 through present day. Registration runs Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 to 11 a.m., with judging Saturday 12 to 2 p.m. and the awards presentation at 2:30 p.m. Entry runs $20 per bike.
Lap for History
The Lap for History lets any rider take their own motorcycle on a parade lap around the 2.4-mile road circuit, led this year by Grand Marshal and AMA Hall of Famer Freddie Spencer. On Friday, registration runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m., with the ride starting at noon. On Saturday and Sunday, registration runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m., staging is at 10:30 a.m., and the ride starts at 11 a.m. A $20 donation to the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation gets you in.
Other Weekend Highlights
- Wall of Death: The American Motor Drome Company's thrill show runs Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Bikestyles Stunt Show: Runs three times daily: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
- Seminars: Informational sessions with ex-pro racers and notable collectors, running throughout the weekend.
- Demo Rides: Try current models from Suzuki, Honda, Royal Enfield, and Harley-Davidson on-site.
- Ashland Dinner Ride: Saturday night ride departing Mid-Ohio at 3:30 p.m. for a 5:30 p.m. dinner at the Ashland flat track races.
What to Wear and Bring for Three Days at Mid-Ohio
Ohio in late July runs hot during the day and cools off fast once the sun drops, especially if you're out for the evening flat track or the dinner ride. Add standing on grass and gravel for hours at the swap meet, and gear choices matter more than most riders plan for.
Leather Motorcycle Vest
A leather motorcycle vest works for layering once evening racing starts and the temperature drops. It also holds a patch or two if you're riding in with a club, and it beats packing a full jacket you'll only wear after sundown.
Motorcycle Helmet
For riders taking their own bike out on the Lap for History, a DOT- or ECE-rated motorcycle helmet is required. It's the one piece of gear that matters most on that parade lap around the Mid-Ohio circuit.
Motorcycle Gloves
A solid pair of motorcycle gloves makes a difference on the grips during the parade lap, and on any parts you're handling at a vendor's table. Bare hands on hot chrome or rough castings get old fast.
Motorcycle Boots
Motorcycle boots matter more at VMD than most events. You're on your feet across 80 acres of swap meet, then walking infield gravel to catch the motocross or trials action. A boot built for standing beats a sneaker by the second day.
Leather Motorcycle Jacket
If you're picking up parts or a project bike at the swap meet, a leather motorcycle jacket covers the ride home once the evening cools off.
Motorcycle Bells
VMD's whole weekend runs on memorabilia and tradition, so it's worth checking out the motorcycle bell selection, too. A bell is a small, easy piece of that tradition to bring back with you.
Why Choose Renegade Classics for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
Renegade Classics has outfitted riders since 1991, long before most gear brands paid attention to sizing beyond 3XL. That history shows up in the catalog: sizes run XS to 12XL across jackets, vests, chaps, and pants, so fit isn't an afterthought whether you're heading to Mid-Ohio for the racing or the swap meet.
Orders over $99 ship free, and every product page lists the leather grade and construction plainly—no guessing what you're buying before a three-day weekend on your feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2026?
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2026 takes place July 24–26, 2026, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
Can spectators attend without entering a race?
Yes. You do not need to race to attend. General admission includes access to the swap meet, bike show, seminars, and all racing events.
Can I ride my own motorcycle at the event?
Yes. Riders can join the Lap for History, a guided parade lap around the Mid-Ohio road course held each morning during the event.
How big is the VMD swap meet?
The VMD swap meet spans nearly 80 acres and includes more than 800 vendor spaces, making it one of the largest vintage motorcycle swap meets in the United States.
What should I wear to Vintage Motorcycle Days?
Wear lightweight clothing for warm daytime temperatures, and bring a vest or light jacket for cooler evenings. Sturdy boots and riding gloves are also recommended for comfort and safety throughout the weekend.
