The Vintagent Trailers: Sixth Street Specials

I met Hugh in 2022 and fell in love with Sixth Street Specials. The Triumph sign, the parts, all the pictures and of course the bikes. It felt as if I was stepping into the world of On Any Sunday. I hope to share that same feeling of discovery through this project. Bruce Brown’s work alongside modern filmmakers and brands like Vahna, Rhythm, and Gimbal God have all provided a sense of freedom and peace for me over the years living in NYC. I think that’s something I hope to convey in the film as well. Hugh and his crew have been more than accommodating and generous with their time and space, I really could not ask for more, and being able to film them working day to day at the shop brought a lot of perspective and reality into what I had first experienced as a dreamlike fantasy, “working on bikes”. It’s work, and I think much like a relationship, your true love is revealed in the monotony as much as the highs and lows. To me, that’s encouraging. It’s showing up, it’s getting it done and it’s not taking yourself too seriously.

Following the team to the race is when thing’s got real. Multiple people left in ambulances. There are guys over 80 years old still out there on the track, going faster sidewise than I ever have. I mean there is a 60+ year old class which to me says it all! Darryl Jakabowski, Sixth Street Racing rider (93B) even took a spill on Josh’s 1960’s brakeless Triumph. Once again, I felt like I was stepping into the world that Bruce Brown shot 50 years ago and meeting my heroes. I knew that Hugh was an incredible guy prior to the event, but you go to the races and hear nothing but admiration for him and the guys from everyone there. He’s the real deal. They’re the real deal. I am profoundly grateful to have had the opportunity to merely meet them and see a glimpse into their work and passion, let alone film it with my best friends. Which, this would not be a real project without my DP and cam op Nick Lavion, Producer and Co-editor Antonio Polito, Production Designer Luke Polihrom and Graphic Designer Haley Batson (who made a killer poster). Also, a special thanks to Yul Kim, Matthew Andreini and Demian Neufeld for supporting the project!

The film has been a dream come true for me. I hope people will watch it and get encouraged in their day to day work as much as they are about riding! Sixth Street has taught me it is those that show up everyday that make dreams come true. – Ezekiel Victor