World's Fastest Aermacchi 350?

As the only American ever to take a win at the Isle of Man TT, Dave Roper stands alone in the history of the famed island racing circuit. The Isle, which lies in the Irish Sea west of the U.K., hosted its first races in 1907.

Throughout its 100 years of racing history, the Isle has drawn racers from around the globe, including the U.S. Although Indian motorcycles took the top three slots in the 1911 TT — with U.K. riders — victory eluded American racers until 1984, when Roper bagged first place in the 500cc Senior Classic Historic race. Roper’s riding skills first started grabbing attention in the mid-1970s, and he raced in the TT three times in the 1980s. He came in 12th place in the Formula III class his first time out in 1982, even after the chain fell off his Aermacchi 350. But 1984 was his year, when he came back for the win riding the Team Obsolete Matchless G50. Both rider and bike were in top form, and Roper posted the fastest lap in his class, 97.21mph. 

Roper, is still a top competitor in the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s historic race series. These days Dave can often be found racing what may be the world's fastest Aermacchi 350 builit by noted inventor/mechanic/rider Mike Bungay of Sacramento, CA. Take two minutes to watch this clip of Dave putting the 350 up against 500's and 750's at the Ridge Motorsports Park outside Seattle, WA.

Dave Roper at the Ridge 7_14 from Straightface Studios on Vimeo.