Kemal Vukelj is an experienced property management professional who has spent more than 35 years overseeing building operations, maintenance, and large-scale renovation projects across the New York City area. Since 2014, he has served as property manager at 6448 Realty Associates, coordinating with tenants, staff, and contractors while negotiating major restaurant leases and managing a full-building sprinkler system installation. From 1998 to 2014, he served as resident manager of a 102-unit building on East 49th Street in Manhattan, where he led a Local Law 97 façade restoration project and oversaw the conversion of the building’s heating system from oil to gas. He also serves as director of engineering and maintenance at Carnegie Hotel and Linen Service in the Bronx. A resident of Teaneck, NJ, Kemal Vukelj enjoys motorcycle racing, motorcycle rallies, and film photography in his free time.
The Evolution of Motorcycle Racing
The sport of motorcycle racing emerged from a mix of industrial breakthroughs and an interest in bicycle racing during the early 20th century. Early internal combustion engines made it possible to build motorized pacing bikes that rode ahead of bicycle riders on packed racetracks, letting the racers draft behind them and reach higher speeds with less effort.
These motorized cycles created a unique experience that captivated the public. Consequently, engineers began adapting this technology for public sale. This shift transformed the pacing cycle into a stand-alone machine for travel and competitive sport.
Early American racers tested their machines on local horse tracks. During a 10-mile race on May 7, 1901, Ralph Hamlin averaged 32.2 mph, turning a niche activity into a spectacle.
Later, on March 26, 1903, Carl Oscar Hedstrom set a national record of 57 mph, using a prototype racer at Ormond Beach, Florida. This location became a premier site for speed trials, earning a reputation as a high-speed capital after hosting official record attempts.
Growing interest led to the founding of the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) in September 1903. This body managed competition rules and later became the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) in 1924. The AMA is still the sport’s primary sanctioning body in the US.
As the sport grew globally, there was a need for a central authority to standardize motorcycle racing across different countries. The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) was founded in Paris in 1904 to resolve disputes over international racing conditions.
Although it was initially inactive, the FIM was successfully re-established in London by 1912. In 1959, the FIM moved its headquarters to Switzerland to ensure economic and political stability. Today, the organization manages 64 world championships and oversees 100 national federations, with its oversight ensuring that the competition remains fair and consistent globally.
Motorcycle racing is divided into four distinct broad categories: road racing, off-road racing, track racing, and specialized formats.
Road racing takes place on paved tracks and includes the Grand Prix, where riders use custom prototypes or modified production superbikes. These events also feature sidecar teams and long-distance endurance races.
Off-road racing includes events like motocross and enduro. These races challenge riders with natural obstacles and rugged terrain.
Track racing utilizes oval courses with surfaces ranging from dirt to ice. The speedway form of the competition use machines with only one gear and no brakes, sliding through turns at a spectacular angle. Finally, specialized formats include hill climbs, drag races, land speed trials, and vintage events.
Engine design and power management have influenced racing technology over the decades. During the late 1930s, manufacturers used superchargers to reach new power and complexity levels. Post-World War II regulations banned this innovation to encourage participation from factories recovering from the war. This led to the four traditional engine classes: 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, and 500cc.
Modern racing balances entertainment with rider safety. Over the decades, athletes have pushed for better track conditions and responsible management, the result being that tracks are much safer. The MotoGP era transformed the sport into a global television spectacle, with media firms managing broadcasting rights to compete against major automotive racing series.
About Kemal Vukelj
Kemal Vukelj is a property management professional with more than 35 years of experience in building operations, maintenance, and renovation oversight throughout the New York City area. Since 2014, he has managed 6448 Realty Associates properties, and he previously spent 16 years as a resident manager on East 49th Street in Manhattan. He also serves as director of engineering and maintenance at Carnegie Hotel and Linen Service in the Bronx. A resident of Teaneck, NJ, Vukelj is a longtime motorcycle and photography enthusiast.
