Support Russ Bigley's 2026 Laconia Classic Dream

I am helping Russ Bigley raise funds to campaign his Yamaha TZ750 at the 2026 Laconia Classic. The money will be used to prepare the bike, for the crew to travel to the track and stay there in a motorhome. Russ is a legend in the TZ750 community and has helped me with advice on restoring my own TZ750, a long time dream of mine. This is my way of thanking him.

The funds will be used exclusively for this purpose and I will personally make “sponsor decals” for every contributor to have and to place on the race bike. If you prefer a “ I love the smell of Castrol R in the morning T-shirt” in the color and size of your choice please donate a minimum of $100.

A budget is under development but you can imagine that racing a historic and valuable bike like this is expensive. Entry fees and racing fuel for the weekend are easily a few thousand dollars. Fuel to travel to the track from Russ’s base of Operation in Shamokin, Pennsylvania and meals for the estimated crew of 8 could be as much. Yamaha TZ750s require a complete engine rebuild for a long weekend of racing and I know all too well personally how much that costs in parts alone. All labor for this effort will be by volunteers who know and admire Russ and his history with the iconic Yamaha TZ750. I have personally donated some engine parts for Russ to use and will be travelling from California to attend. I will pay my own way.

The rider will be Ben Walters who is an instructor at the Yamaha Champions Riders School and Bridgestone will provide racing tires and Russ's local Yamaha dealer will provide lubricants.