The Appalachian Moto Jam – Motorcycle Snow Racing

For many of us motorcyclists, cold climates and wintery conditions of the “off-season” means buttoning up our bikes until the tides of spring return with warmer temperatures to melt away the snow and ice. This, however, doesn’t have to be the case. Not if you live in the Northeast, anyhow. The Appalachian Moto Jam is relatively new event, best described as a free-format, “run what ya brung” traveling race series that’s open to any and all riders looking to race their motorcycles and have a great time.

The App Moto Jam, for short, is the brainchild of Kenny Buongiorno, who is also the mastermind behind the Strange Days motorcycle festival. Currently, the App Moto Jam is in its second year and features vintage and modern flat track racing in the late summer months and a snow hill climb and drag race in the winter. The racing classes are basically limitless, which means anyone can enter and race whatever motorcycles they’ve got.

Some of the classes include the Vintage Light and Heavy (comprising of 1984 and earlier 500cc and below and 501cc and up classes, respectively), Modern Light and Heavy with bikes from 1985 and later (500cc and below and 501cc and up), Antique & Tank Shift classes for bikes from 1965 and older, a Harley-only class, dirt bikes, servi-cars, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, choppers, minis – you name it. There are even more classes than mentioned, but you get the point. If you have pretty much anything with wheels and a motor, you can race it in a no-pressure, just-for-fun event. However, if you think you’ve got what it takes to race the pro-class “King of the Hill” event, there is a cash payout.

The most recent rendition of App Moto Jam was held on January 27th on the slopes at Holiday Ski Mountain in Monticello, New York. There were two types of racing – a Moto Snow Drag Race and a 1,500-ft Baja Snow Hill Climb – in addition to food, drinks, a bike show, live music, multiple vendors, a swap meet, and an after party at the Holiday Mountain Ski Resort Lodge. An overall blast of a time, if you ask me.

The App Moto Jam is highly acclaimed by all those in attendance, and there’s already another event planned and set to take place on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, March 17th, at the same location. Tickets are only 20 bucks (10 for kids) and $40 if you want to race. Check out some of the videos attached below to get a better idea of what the App Moto Jam is all about, and maybe if you’re in the area, get out there with your bike and give it hell!

Grassroots-style events like this one are what motorcycling is all about, and that’s having fun. As the App Moto Jam continues to grow in popularity, which we’re sure it will, we hope to see more and more riders get out and enjoy themselves and their motorcycles – even if there’s snow on the ground! For more information, pictures and video clips check out their website appmotojam.com or their Instagram page instagram.com/appmotojam.