Longtime AHRMA Starter Ed Bargy Throws His Final Flag at Barber Motorsports Park

Ed Bargy, AHRMA’s longtime National Starter and flagger, officially retired from the role this past weekend after waving the green flag for the final race of the final day of the 21st Annual Barber Vintage Festival at Barber Motorsports Park.

Bargy, who has been a fixture at AHRMA road race events for years, brought decades of experience, precision, and a deep commitment to safety to every start. His presence on the grid—calm, authoritative, and focused—helped ensure clean, safe launches for competitors across the full spectrum of AHRMA classes, from pure vintage machines to modern Sound of Thunder and Formula bikes.

Bargy has been involved in nearly every aspect of motorsports since he was introduced to racing at a 5/8-mile oval by his brother-in-law in 1955. He earned his first trophy at age 11 racing hydroplane boats. While stationed in England in the early 1960s, he was introduced to motorcycle road racing and set up a street-based training course for airmen. A winning motorcycle racer (including regional and national championships with WERA, CMA, and various amateur clubs), he also helped establish WERA. He is the founder and operator of the Ed Bargy Motorcycle Racing School, widely regarded as one of the oldest and most comprehensive advanced riding schools in the country. His résumé further includes work as a Senior National Race Director and National Starter with WERA, race announcer, safety crew member and trainer, track designer (once called “the King of Track Layout” by WERA), and safety consultant for both WERA and AHRMA. He has authored books on racing technique and track design and has coached riders since 1968.

Among his lasting contributions to race safety, Bargy was the first to require the red flag at all corner stations (rather than only at the start/finish line), established the requirement for two ALS ambulances (instead of a single BLS unit) as the standard for road-race events, and created standardized motorcycle corner-worker procedures distinct from the auto-racing standards then in use. In 2022, AHRMA formally named him its Official Starter and partnered with him on advanced riding workshops at selected events.

While Bargy is stepping away from flagging duties with AHRMA, he continues to operate his racing school and remains active in the broader motorsports community.

“It’s been an honor to work with the AHRMA racers and crew all these years,” said Bargy. “The starts are the most critical moment of any race, and I’ve always tried to do it right—for the safety of the riders and the quality of the racing. AHRMA has a special atmosphere, and I’m proud to have been part of it. I’ll miss the flag, but it’s time.”

Leasha Overturf, AHRMA Road Race Director, added: “As I transitioned from racer to Road Race Director, Ed Bargy was tremendously helpful. He was not only a mentor, but also a cornerstone of our race program, bringing safety, professionalism, and consistency to every start. His guidance, support, and teamwork have been invaluable throughout the years.

I always knew the day would come when he would retire, but that didn’t make the announcement any easier to hear. I am deeply grateful for everything Ed has contributed to our sport and our organization. His presence, leadership, and steady hand will be greatly missed on the grid.”

Greg “GT” Tomlinson, Chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees, said: “Ed Bargy has been a fixture of AHRMA since its inception, and while he may be retiring as our official flagger, he’ll always be so much more than our starter. Ed is an inspiration, and his knowledge, professionalism, and presence in our road race paddock are part of AHRMA’s institutional fabric.

As a racer, if you’ve ever had the good fortune of starting a race with Ed, you know exactly what I mean. After Ed, every other starter seems second rate! When he leaned in on the “two board” from the start tower, you could feel his intensity, as if he were racing right alongside you. I know it sure ramped up my own intensity, and my bike’s revs!

As Chairman, working with Ed has been an absolute delight. His decades of experience brought a steadfast professionalism to our entire Road Race team, and his sage-like advice has been invaluable. We’ll miss that wisdom, but more than anything, we’ll miss having Ed right there with us.

I was proud to be on hand for his final throw of the checkered flag. It was a special moment, and one I won’t forget. Ed, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have raced with you, worked alongside you, and called you a friend. I’m humbled to have been part of your journey and to have started and worked with the best. Thank you for everything you’ve given AHRMA, Ed. You’ve left an indelible mark on this club, and you’ll always have a place in our paddock.”

AHRMA thanks Ed for his many contributions and looks forward to seeing him at future events in a different capacity.