tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26336325790925403992024-03-05T03:07:12.482-08:00Mototique - Formally Deadly Dave's BlogMototique Blog - Sharing the lost stories of early American motorcycling. Mototique Racing - #76 Sons of Speed.Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-59081684358656415002022-01-10T05:50:00.012-08:002022-01-11T12:33:07.901-08:00Sylacauga, Alabama's Original Motorcycle Daredevils - Episode 47<div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">June 10, 2012</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Updated - January 11, 2022</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">By: David L. Morrill</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>@MototiqueRacing</b></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Sylacauga, Alabama</span></b></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><div><br /></div>We have some great story tellers here in the south, and one of our best local story tellers was my friend Joe M. Duck Jr. Joe's family has lived in Sylacauga, Alabama for generations, and he never missed an opportunity to share stories of his hometown with either friends, and or visitors. When we moved to Sylacauga, some six years ago, Joe befriended my father-in-law, Alton Hollis. Joe, like Alton, was a proud World War II veteran. Joe knew I had raced motorcycles years ago, and told me a story about his father, J. M. Duck Sr., who was part of an early group of motorcyclists from Sylacauga before World War I.<br />
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We recently lost Joe Duck Jr. and his brother in a tragic automobile accident. They were on their way to the local Veteran's Day observance. but all who knew him, will never forget him. This story is dedicated to my friend Joseph M. Duck Jr.<br />
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Now, Joe's story went this way. He told me his father, Joe Duck Sr. and Harry Conn, used to race Indian motorcycles at the Talladega County Fairgrounds in Sylacauga before World War I. He said one of his cousins, had an old photograph of his father, Harry Conn, and another fellow on their early Indian motorcycles. Over the next few years Joe would tell me several times, "I need to find that old picture, and show it to you."<br />
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As an old motorcycle racer, this story intrigued me. I've written extensively about these early days of American motorcycle racing, with a focus on the South. That said, I realized running down a 100 plus year old story about local motorcycle races was an impossible task. Local newspapers from this period, in small towns like Sylacauga, are often not archived back 104 years. They also often took little notice of these type of events. Most of what little we know of local racing in the South, is handed down word of mouth. I tucked that story away, hoping someday to find more information about it in the future.<br />
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I began checking around town for photos of the Talladega County Fairgrounds racetrack but came up empty handed. What little we know about the Fairgrounds, and the racetrack, comes from a couple of <b>YESTERYEAR </b>newspaper columns written by <b>Marian A. Thurman </b>in the mid 1950s. The Fairgrounds, which was located west of downtown Sylacauga at the corner of 4th Street and Fairgrounds Avenue (now Avondale Avenue). The Fairgrounds had relocated to this site from a smaller downtown site in 1913 or 1914.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Former Site of the Entrance to the Talladega County Fairgrounds<br />N/W Corner of 4th Street & Avondale Avenue (then Fairgrounds Avenue)</b><br />
<b> Sylacauga, AL.</b></td></tr>
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In his column on <b>September 27, 1956, </b>titled <b>"It's 'Fair" Weather"</b> Mr. Thurman confirmed both the presence of the racetrack, and that it occasionally hosted motorcycle racing. These quotes are from Mr. Thruman's article:<br />
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<b>"There was a fine half mile racetrack on the back side, with a huge grandstand."</b></div>
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<b>"We had automobile and motorcycle racing occasionally,"</b></div>
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There was also a grass landing strip in the center of the racetrack which was used by early aviators. At the time Mr. Furman's article was written in 1956, the fairgrounds were long gone, but Now at least I had the confirmation of motorcycle races held at the Fairgrounds before World War I, so I started looking around for more information. </div>
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One evening I was at a reception at the Isabelle Comer Museum Board, here in Sylacauga. I went upstairs to look at the collections of old articles, and photographs kept there. I came across a commemorative publication on Sylacauga's history published in 1959. and there on one of the pages, was a 1910 photograph of Joe Duck Sr., Gary Caudle, and Harry Conn, and on their Indian motorcycles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa_qTSOGvYcyUYeaNJokE60R5YP53pRWzvzUAOBQpr1dh5JiONFxdLhzCcEkrSLSwvWMlED2NzIqZXoAGznlaP75PPZvla0HnksmJOXeamNPQQiXBSH_7_1YKMvCeQSC9ab_Wn4eWwKD-/s1600/10150789_746092168757222_791934657_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa_qTSOGvYcyUYeaNJokE60R5YP53pRWzvzUAOBQpr1dh5JiONFxdLhzCcEkrSLSwvWMlED2NzIqZXoAGznlaP75PPZvla0HnksmJOXeamNPQQiXBSH_7_1YKMvCeQSC9ab_Wn4eWwKD-/s1600/10150789_746092168757222_791934657_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sylacauga, AL. - 1910<br /><br /></b></td></tr>
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There is no other information on the motorcycle races held at the Sylacauga Fairgrounds. The tracks in Alabama got limited coverage in the national racing press. Race results for Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma tracks do occasionally appear in the weekly magazine, Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review, during the early teens. The races in Sylacauga are not mentioned. This may be because the races in Sylacauga, only involved amateur riders, and not the top professional riders, competing at the other Alabama racetracks.<br />
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The motorcycles of this period were little more large bicycles, with powerful engines. While the bumpy dirt roads of the time limited the speed of motorcycles to about 35 miles per hour, on a smooth dirt racetrack, these bikes could easily reach 50 to 60 miles per hour. Racing them was not for the faint of heart as racers rarely wore no helmets, and little protective gear could be seriously injured or even killed.<br />
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By 1910, the Hendee manufacturing Company of Springfield, Massachusetts (builder of Indian Motorcycles) was one of the most successful of the early American motorcycle companies. They offered both single cylinder, and V twin powered motorcycles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4w3Qwh-KYvFHbpcGGzRAcaEbg55boabDRt8BWG2_-RCe4Ol-kKK-zfoATdt87XsTOhrOm5zBylPjYGiCsqT6OXWuMTKDzxkBgxSKUoTokw9Ajwzn6jaG2E53IB0K-yvFPKN_oBsY8Iw9c/s1600/310A_1-1910-Indian-Single.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4w3Qwh-KYvFHbpcGGzRAcaEbg55boabDRt8BWG2_-RCe4Ol-kKK-zfoATdt87XsTOhrOm5zBylPjYGiCsqT6OXWuMTKDzxkBgxSKUoTokw9Ajwzn6jaG2E53IB0K-yvFPKN_oBsY8Iw9c/s1600/310A_1-1910-Indian-Single.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1910 Single Cylinder Indian Motorcycle<br />MidAmericaAuctions.com</b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAH8rRkKIstArbs7v3Z1MJhMwDieQe2OOJFd3pSQNyrVvHBrRkQNCWf7T337Zj4rUXgoWnztYMaTlAobBNU_FYo5pt_9JyL6WEO9gYJTZBmj9SXMq80u7xwemZd1qi3JjaQRR4lpeKDkw/s1600/4283675614_17a8389611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAH8rRkKIstArbs7v3Z1MJhMwDieQe2OOJFd3pSQNyrVvHBrRkQNCWf7T337Zj4rUXgoWnztYMaTlAobBNU_FYo5pt_9JyL6WEO9gYJTZBmj9SXMq80u7xwemZd1qi3JjaQRR4lpeKDkw/s1600/4283675614_17a8389611.jpg" /></a></div>
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Indian Motorcycles were sold in Central Alabama by their local Agent, Robert Stubbs. He was probably the person who sold Joe Duck Sr., Harry Conn, and Gary Caudle their Indian motorcycles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM9979u3ej_CdJOrdGpE9ZBRiwI4qw4mvOA2TqThu5GYzzJ5rzFMyRGTttlLAo7YB3lMf4hWiMWhTsTOjNFZwtLHHVz6a6zeB5P2olZjk5xS6BhdY7XXMJGvt5CVHurK-9aZDUxBGRhnM/s1600/Stubbs+Indian+May+1910.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM9979u3ej_CdJOrdGpE9ZBRiwI4qw4mvOA2TqThu5GYzzJ5rzFMyRGTttlLAo7YB3lMf4hWiMWhTsTOjNFZwtLHHVz6a6zeB5P2olZjk5xS6BhdY7XXMJGvt5CVHurK-9aZDUxBGRhnM/s1600/Stubbs+Indian+May+1910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Robert Stubbs Indian Dealership - 1805 4th Avenue North </b><br />
<b>Birmingham, AL - 1912</b></td></tr>
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Indian motorcycles became seriously involved in racing around 1905. Five years later, Indian, had grown to the largest of the American Motorcycle Companies. They were the choice to top racers, as well as riders Duck Sr., Conn, and Caudle.<br />
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There was a little more to Joe Ducks story. It seems, his father, and Harry Conn used to ride their Indians up to Birmingham, Alabama to compete at the races at the Alabama State Fairgrounds. There is significantly more information about the motorcycle races held at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in this period.<br />
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By the early teens, motorcycle racing had become one of the top spectator sports in country. The results of major races were reported in the sports pages of newspapers across the country. The Alabama State Fairgrounds track held its first motorcycle race on the fast one-mile dirt oval in 1906.<br />
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Robert Stubbs was billed as the "Southern Champion." in 1909. Stubbs had been handpicked by Indian co-founder Oscar Hedstrom for the Indian Racing team at the Annual Speed Trials in Ormond Beach, FL. Stubbs, and his teammates Walter Goerke, and Arthur Chapple each set new speed records at the trials. Even Hedstrom jumped on a special racer to set a new record.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIXR_41FB2KdRqZ-eqgML1kIutUxIaIE23z4G99lGqPq9oiEUDhzgau1_a7xMKvNzT3DogOJdPCSyB3IxoPH0FM-bsT8jAIZYXm47poMXBB9sMn66yEINAv2zE7NFChtPERXVnSd2Z4j6/s1600/10271358_10100373406447992_5978272401730232154_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIXR_41FB2KdRqZ-eqgML1kIutUxIaIE23z4G99lGqPq9oiEUDhzgau1_a7xMKvNzT3DogOJdPCSyB3IxoPH0FM-bsT8jAIZYXm47poMXBB9sMn66yEINAv2zE7NFChtPERXVnSd2Z4j6/s1600/10271358_10100373406447992_5978272401730232154_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Indian Co-founder Oscar Hedstrom and his <br />Indian Racing Team - Ormond Beach Fl. March 1909</b></td></tr>
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Robert Stubbs had also recently broken the American Speed Record for a 100-mile race, making 100 laps of Birmingham's one mile dirt oval in record time. Stubbs, and his sponsored rider Gail Joyce, regularly raced against top riders from around the country, who came to the Birmingham track to train during the winter.<br />
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When Joe Duck Sr. and Harry Conn, decided to enter a race at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in Birmingham, they would have found a whole different world from the local motorcycle races in Sylacauga. It would be like a local short track racer entering a NASCAR race at the Talladega Speedway. The amateur riders were known as "Trade" riders, as many of them worked at the local motorcycle shops. Trade Rider races had classes for both production motorcycles, and purpose-built racing bikes. They took place, along with the professional races, on holidays like the 4th of July, and Labor Day. They would be brushing shoulders with the likes of Robert Stubbs, his under studies Gail Joyce, Richard Gayle, and Gene Walker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhLKS8lF9xh3DHA_ejf8YSklKv25DJlExQqHksoZ5ppG-MHgPlu-w9Wu5GClZmEzsJgj_QW1jNVviDrzedok6JHLji6RJXkFdYw9LmigaLGWi4LXJOGo64R5BNV9i6a1WQxPtCPDwG8Bv/s1600/Birmingham+Fairgrounds+Raceway+1913-14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhLKS8lF9xh3DHA_ejf8YSklKv25DJlExQqHksoZ5ppG-MHgPlu-w9Wu5GClZmEzsJgj_QW1jNVviDrzedok6JHLji6RJXkFdYw9LmigaLGWi4LXJOGo64R5BNV9i6a1WQxPtCPDwG8Bv/s1600/Birmingham+Fairgrounds+Raceway+1913-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Professional Motorcycle Race - Alabama State Fairgrounds Birmingham, AL. ca. 1914<br />O.V. Hunt - Johnny Whitsett Collection</b></td></tr>
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Even amateur motorcycle races at the Birmingham track, would have been a major step up. Riders like Duck, and Conn, would ride their bikes to the track, strip off the lights, go racing, then put the lights back on, and ride home. The one-mile Birmingham track was twice as long as the Sylacauga track, with wide sweeping turns, which allowed riders to reach much higher speeds. With the higher speeds, came considerably more danger to the riders, who streaked by within inches of the wooden spectator fencing that lined the outside of the track. <br />
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Birmingham professional photographer Oscar V. Hunt, who was himself a motorcycle enthusiast, captured the start of one of these Birmingham amateur races in these two rare photographs. The exact date, and the identity are unknown, but all the motorcycles appear to be Indians from the early teens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RL1v3GiSCGgF9vqj1xp7vREt7wf5Ck-KchH5lVYdiZ25bC5eJ3ZvwxNfwUCoTyUfenEwZnJR2oKKM__dqP7pmgM9pBFL65k1PvzeCOeeglKKt_avwYC7J0W5SWIG722zKe7k65nJBOWb/s1600/OVH143.tif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RL1v3GiSCGgF9vqj1xp7vREt7wf5Ck-KchH5lVYdiZ25bC5eJ3ZvwxNfwUCoTyUfenEwZnJR2oKKM__dqP7pmgM9pBFL65k1PvzeCOeeglKKt_avwYC7J0W5SWIG722zKe7k65nJBOWb/s1600/OVH143.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Amateur Trade Riders Race - Birmingham, AL.<br />O.V. Hunt Collection - Birmingham Alabama Public Library Archives</b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapnRVGyqRlYgcEnN78w8jpDHv0iLxHkdcrJF8kdR05T0nrPoXKRUTdofhetyoT1jidUucVUzD8dmo7pUvfashzehLhYBIi4CzBQncvEWZ3FQekXUvoat0D8ILD7660D0J0qPWQDpg2Bb/s1600/OVH178+Copy.jpg"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapnRVGyqRlYgcEnN78w8jpDHv0iLxHkdcrJF8kdR05T0nrPoXKRUTdofhetyoT1jidUucVUzD8dmo7pUvfashzehLhYBIi4CzBQncvEWZ3FQekXUvoat0D8ILD7660D0J0qPWQDpg2Bb/s1600/OVH178+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the next few years, the Birmingham track would see the rise of the career of Birmingham native Gene Walker. With Robert Stubbs help, Walker, who once delivered mail on his motorcycle, would become one of the top professional riders in the country.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CiZVj9GFCez0kxvjVLOhof1WER4QZM_LtCVB81gECXX3jtHW0G-2yTtcaBhnFCF0JWTpvDxKDWl2ZXadPeuDC0JcvpckIQkf2EM2OtAbEhh3rCcdf-9qBqEp8gtrKhnRVBf92w0ciaKZ/s1600/1240098_10151920552241457_439473910_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CiZVj9GFCez0kxvjVLOhof1WER4QZM_LtCVB81gECXX3jtHW0G-2yTtcaBhnFCF0JWTpvDxKDWl2ZXadPeuDC0JcvpckIQkf2EM2OtAbEhh3rCcdf-9qBqEp8gtrKhnRVBf92w0ciaKZ/s1600/1240098_10151920552241457_439473910_n.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>John Eugen Walker <br />O.V. Hunt Collection</b></td></tr>
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During his ten-year career, Walker won nineteen National Championship Races, set the first officially sanctioned Motorcycle Land Speed Record, and shattered track records across the country. He returned home to Birmingham each winter to take care of his widowed mother and serve as a Motorcycle Officer with the Birmingham Police Department. <br />
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He was tragically killed while practicing for a race in 1924, when a grounds keeper pulled a tractor onto the track in front of him at East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. His fellow Birmingham Motorcycle Officers provided an escort for his funeral procession. He was buried in Birmingham's historic Elmwood Cemetery, just a mile from the track, where he started his racing career. He was eulogized on the Birmingham News Sports page by sportswriter Zipp Newman.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JGl0jtxKi7NInZEZlZCGSCuwV1QdUL0xJWt3ULneGTEzywE7fIGntYI4kbrFa8NriwY7_iQKZTT-szgGFfG9IYRsjnGpdBhF2W2tD65BeyigvlOfXSVP9oePhQGs_MD3rhLA1HdwhPyI/s1600/Birmingham+News+Walker+Eulogy-Photo.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JGl0jtxKi7NInZEZlZCGSCuwV1QdUL0xJWt3ULneGTEzywE7fIGntYI4kbrFa8NriwY7_iQKZTT-szgGFfG9IYRsjnGpdBhF2W2tD65BeyigvlOfXSVP9oePhQGs_MD3rhLA1HdwhPyI/s1600/Birmingham+News+Walker+Eulogy-Photo.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Birmingham News - June 1924</b></td></tr>
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With the advent of World War I, Alabama's place in early motorcycle racing came to an end. Racing was curtailed around the country, as many young men went into the service. Most of the motorcycle production, tires, and spare parts went to the war effort. This caused motorcycle dealerships around the country to close their doors. In 1917, the Sylacauga Fairgrounds was heavily damaged by the tornado, which struck downtown. It was eventually rebuilt but closed in the early 1930s.</div><div>
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This was the end of the early glory days of motorcycle racing in Alabama. But, local riders Joe Duck Sr., and Harry Conn, were there not just as spectators, they got to take part. To even compete in an amateur race at one of the South's most famous racetracks, and walk among the stars of the sport, would have been something they would never forget. <br />
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I've done my best to pass down Joe's story, as he told me. Rest in peace my friend!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE3PxZKA54WqwkmD9hQ2MiWg6xTZvyfKMShXv1rzyD8AuUslHlWNzn1n4ZcsTdokLXN0FBPUb65kX8vbSLAl_jQboIfS3qllgr1JFDcQcyeFOPcUssz-wKrfOUB0lCfTXIM1SyxLk62eRwLGZgMJR5ErTwvr-qew4UO0Df23y3sKoGTfW0Woo57NlLLw=s650" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE3PxZKA54WqwkmD9hQ2MiWg6xTZvyfKMShXv1rzyD8AuUslHlWNzn1n4ZcsTdokLXN0FBPUb65kX8vbSLAl_jQboIfS3qllgr1JFDcQcyeFOPcUssz-wKrfOUB0lCfTXIM1SyxLk62eRwLGZgMJR5ErTwvr-qew4UO0Df23y3sKoGTfW0Woo57NlLLw=w306-h400" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mr. Joseph M. Duck Jr. 1921 - 2011<br />Sylacauga, Alabama </b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><b>Sources:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Birmingham News</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Birmingham Alabama Public Library Archives</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Jody Lee - Sylacauga, AL.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Joseph M. Duck, Jr. - Sylacauga, AL.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Oscar V. Hunt Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>TheOldMotor.com</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>YESTERYEAR - Marion A. Thurman - 1984</b></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-16397717930054577442021-06-21T09:27:00.031-07:002022-01-10T15:29:47.627-08:00Motorcycles Come to the Brick City - Ocala, Florida - Episode #46<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">By: David L. Morrill</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">@Mototique Racing</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Updated: July 31, 2021</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the late 1800s, a bicycle craze swept the United States. Bicycle shops sprung up around the Country, and bicycle races became a common occurrence at State & County Fairs. Champion bicycle racers became well known sports stars, and their exploits were reported in newspapers nationwide. A local example of this is Jay Eaton, who founded the Eaton Beach Complex on Lake Weir in Weirsdale, Florida. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9x05HiIe_dJa61JGXzHDqXRHwomxNChmgTm4qOJeMYmfJ9VlruNAAFI8epLV5YqxiWDFpYISz0SGqfx45V2zdcmaGJUjC0DvmyNvjkDMvL1Hupgz-jGkAg_ZyesgQg_sCPPTHWDkOlrN/s1151/imgR00N9G22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9x05HiIe_dJa61JGXzHDqXRHwomxNChmgTm4qOJeMYmfJ9VlruNAAFI8epLV5YqxiWDFpYISz0SGqfx45V2zdcmaGJUjC0DvmyNvjkDMvL1Hupgz-jGkAg_ZyesgQg_sCPPTHWDkOlrN/s320/imgR00N9G22.jpg" /></span></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CF__m7ZAqAti8ByTNld87OU_0JGyoSG2Cj5W8uNf1ABpuRsK-6WCI5oYaaAdGBB4nN3UnzCUUi9E2iADnEYKxxnn_IxusgtCnW5kt4Oc3TFQyHhjw6gU-nRGrqR6qLZjIdyLSZpErTly/s703/The+Tennessean+8-4-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="703" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CF__m7ZAqAti8ByTNld87OU_0JGyoSG2Cj5W8uNf1ABpuRsK-6WCI5oYaaAdGBB4nN3UnzCUUi9E2iADnEYKxxnn_IxusgtCnW5kt4Oc3TFQyHhjw6gU-nRGrqR6qLZjIdyLSZpErTly/w400-h176/The+Tennessean+8-4-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Tennessean - August 4, 1896</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span></span></b><p></p><span style="font-size: large;">Eaton was a champion bicycle racer, who retired to Central Florida and purchased the Eaton Beach property in 1924.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the early days of motorcycling, motorcycle companies would advertise in local papers to find local Agents to handle their products. Because many of these companies, had also produced bicycles, it was common for local bicycle shops to become the agents for Indian, Harley-Davidson, etc., and this was the case in Ocala. Local bicycle dealer R. E. Yonge sold his business to Benjamin Franklin Condon in 1907. Yonge's son Walter went on to become a prominent Ocala motorcyclist.</span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMQmmEFtQN94dyPgJ2ymU3ELdDEfFyWy6wZI72FmbbCDWZerhlsNWrVGIKZzpThN9UlP_9BbQc4Nw7rG9yYCssSBgvdbbt5MHyt356DB_lQDuA700ZJNtexRgW7hNvuYeKO20McVan5H1/s1020/Ocala+Banner+12-13-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1020" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMQmmEFtQN94dyPgJ2ymU3ELdDEfFyWy6wZI72FmbbCDWZerhlsNWrVGIKZzpThN9UlP_9BbQc4Nw7rG9yYCssSBgvdbbt5MHyt356DB_lQDuA700ZJNtexRgW7hNvuYeKO20McVan5H1/w371-h235/Ocala+Banner+12-13-1.jpg" width="371" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Banner - December 13, 1907<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Condon probably became the Marion County Agent for Indian Motocycles of Springfield, Massachusetts some time in 1907. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">FYI: Indian referred to their bikes as "Motocycles" to stand out from other brands, until the early 1930s. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Condon Bicycle Emporium was located in the "Ocala House Block" in downtown. The Indian Motocycle Agent, Condon was probably the first motorcyclist in Ocala, and Walter Yonge soon joined in purchasing one of the new Indians. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V_e5y-mWAA1xIs6tlNtIA_r463kUJ6_vefqjZ6a2otP9mMGLU1H2mt0ASlFFn3I777J8T4OwMF_y5on5xbhpX3cU_rFpU0yljzUe5Q4Szfu8gRiBVKXyo7oSkCC617tB2fpIQCz90nun/s1077/Ocala+Eve+Star+-+190.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="1077" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V_e5y-mWAA1xIs6tlNtIA_r463kUJ6_vefqjZ6a2otP9mMGLU1H2mt0ASlFFn3I777J8T4OwMF_y5on5xbhpX3cU_rFpU0yljzUe5Q4Szfu8gRiBVKXyo7oSkCC617tB2fpIQCz90nun/s320/Ocala+Eve+Star+-+190.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Condon Ad <br />Ocala Evening Star 1908</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">The new motorcycles soon attracted the attention of the City Fathers, as a notice appeared in the Ocala Evening Star of an ordinance, requiring</span><span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">all Bicycles, Motorcycles and Automobiles operated within Ocala City Limits to be equipped with lights. This was followed by a notice in the Evening Star on September 23, 1908 from City Marshall W.C. Bull warning automobile drivers, and motorcycle riders, that the City Speed Limit was 10 miles per hour. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="945" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jRe1iWWA3RYgJkcBWNS_U2kHB5jyIea-xOum7g7hMZJaCJqfu4mfsc8_Mg4QB9jwtU5MCxwW62jnGgYjJtvMbTj4VvCfPE4L8cY9-pUapnVBohhThL7Zos_tr8BtUPeA13S39PD4Anpf/w416-h275/OES9-23-1908.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="416" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - September 23, 1908</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jRe1iWWA3RYgJkcBWNS_U2kHB5jyIea-xOum7g7hMZJaCJqfu4mfsc8_Mg4QB9jwtU5MCxwW62jnGgYjJtvMbTj4VvCfPE4L8cY9-pUapnVBohhThL7Zos_tr8BtUPeA13S39PD4Anpf/s945/OES9-23-1908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">With the new attention from the City Marshall, the young men who now owned motorcycles sought another place to test the speed of their machines and their ridding skills. This was the Golden Age of early motorcycle racing. Steeply banked circular wooden tracks known as </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>M</span><span>otordromes were being built around the country. T</span><span>he numerous dirt oval horse racing tracks were also used for motorcycle racing. The top motorcycle manufactures like Indian, Excelsior, Cyclone, etc. hired teams of professional riders to promote their brand, and drive sales of their motorcycle to the public, however Harley-Davidson did not form a factory racing team until 1914. Many of the riders also took part in the the Annual Daytona Beach Speed Carnival held on Ormond Beach, Florida beginning in the early teens. Numerous "World Records" were set on the sands of the beach at low tide and were reported in newspapers around the County. </span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjzBpVGUJS26PWNMf-NhVuoaS_JrRR-7YtQHojuPuViluctIZNAO9BqFoGYDF4JLWObZQbiD_cX-Z-fWurXGZ39j8MySXjBXZ5VYt_u_ijCdG33u9TbfKAm9ksatLgm-4bzexHy5uC5wI/s1221/Buffalo+Evening+news.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="629" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjzBpVGUJS26PWNMf-NhVuoaS_JrRR-7YtQHojuPuViluctIZNAO9BqFoGYDF4JLWObZQbiD_cX-Z-fWurXGZ39j8MySXjBXZ5VYt_u_ijCdG33u9TbfKAm9ksatLgm-4bzexHy5uC5wI/w269-h522/Buffalo+Evening+news.jpg" width="269" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buffalo Evening</b> <b>News - December 20, 1906</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">There's an old adage in motorcycling that the first motorcycle race took place, when the second motorcycle hit the street. That certainly seems to have been the case in Ocala, as a Motorcycle Race was included in the July 4, 1908, Festivities at the Marion County Fair Grounds off West Emporium Street, which today is close to the intersection of Hwy 40 and Martin Luther King Blvd. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdSyinNnu2uT0ndxk5VCF9v5BlI8vunJB7S8VyrHkr7lkapg4MS8BVIF-3kNakFNfkPc46cb2WWO5SubUtZZ1fhIqOOMNvEc0sXuSxMtNOLkqoi-q53Anq6JV7mTPkcr1qg21EOVVjH0v/s600/Marion+County+Fair+1913.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdSyinNnu2uT0ndxk5VCF9v5BlI8vunJB7S8VyrHkr7lkapg4MS8BVIF-3kNakFNfkPc46cb2WWO5SubUtZZ1fhIqOOMNvEc0sXuSxMtNOLkqoi-q53Anq6JV7mTPkcr1qg21EOVVjH0v/s16000/Marion+County+Fair+1913.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Marion County Fair Arch - 1913<br />Mark Hammer Collection</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There was a half mile oval dirt horse track there, with a large grandstand, that hosted automobile & motorcycle races, along with the horse races.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9Ke3UlZwvNTOf8wYBUYihanArKRzs54Mm18ZyMpLeyV7fAsFVeZUbgQBiw4RlzSBYZczuoHEfGPFb79A-Q-BNPWJtXCO1zpL6dz2FMYbP_J5lP3p4LoqCzSbPJz3MaAYMXFhkBDSHItR/s681/Marion+County+Fairgrounds+Racetrack+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="681" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9Ke3UlZwvNTOf8wYBUYihanArKRzs54Mm18ZyMpLeyV7fAsFVeZUbgQBiw4RlzSBYZczuoHEfGPFb79A-Q-BNPWJtXCO1zpL6dz2FMYbP_J5lP3p4LoqCzSbPJz3MaAYMXFhkBDSHItR/w459-h367/Marion+County+Fairgrounds+Racetrack+-+Copy.jpg" width="459" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Automobile Race @ the Marion County Fairgrounds - ca. 1912<br />Marion County Court Clerk's Office Collection</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">The scheduled motorcycle race was included in the articles detailing the 4th of July activities in the Evening Star on June 18, 1908. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1209" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V2H6ffhMb_ieh89vwFjO6q9IHJYBol9R7HUQY5ToQzilbY42S5IWifRGLfpYCO6kGHjKRshou_0uTqKXwfBKrjspAWH7msKmoDgB48M0WEduBJIx_J_0QLaSipt_Q0dQ5aE47TpPVLRK/w357-h412/Ocala+Evening+Star+6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="357" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - June 12, 1908</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V2H6ffhMb_ieh89vwFjO6q9IHJYBol9R7HUQY5ToQzilbY42S5IWifRGLfpYCO6kGHjKRshou_0uTqKXwfBKrjspAWH7msKmoDgB48M0WEduBJIx_J_0QLaSipt_Q0dQ5aE47TpPVLRK/s1395/Ocala+Evening+Star+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Despite the anticipation of a motorcycle race, the Ocala Banner reported "for some reason the motorcycle race did not materialize.", while the Evening Star reported a motorcycle exhibition was run, but gave no details. It would be more than a year before the first actual motorcycle race in Ocala would take place. Ocala would continue to be an Indian town. </span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWlaUMtXvXD162hHF6wh_nx9IEDXU1EgbP7tc2R0cd4q3CftivIfddfLl1CwbXIMfZ8BxXZb_giaQXu-NigSh1zlQnJLMDRnldfBGm1d1p2ED9GmfufB8VSdgZr2LZyMekcBru_Ha7tc7/s1023/118953536_10221485071309192_4381602500444072252_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1023" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWlaUMtXvXD162hHF6wh_nx9IEDXU1EgbP7tc2R0cd4q3CftivIfddfLl1CwbXIMfZ8BxXZb_giaQXu-NigSh1zlQnJLMDRnldfBGm1d1p2ED9GmfufB8VSdgZr2LZyMekcBru_Ha7tc7/w443-h293/118953536_10221485071309192_4381602500444072252_n.jpg" width="443" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1908 Indian 3.5 H.P. V Twin<br />Kip Kolter @ Old School Biker Site<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ben Condon was the only Motorcycle Agent in town. He would continue to build his bicycle business in Ocala.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zP-E8VdOqV_uD08YY4KecCC1grTTiP7F1bt96vuYBLBxHX0VUUIcApICKThU3q8F9CHzNKHp-N7zXd1z0Gc_wPdbA781efwDnjO3QAF_NnIMrItqdxSD9aY4GtFCzVQDnpkC6wa7NDZz/s1769/Eve+Star+3-15-09.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1769" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zP-E8VdOqV_uD08YY4KecCC1grTTiP7F1bt96vuYBLBxHX0VUUIcApICKThU3q8F9CHzNKHp-N7zXd1z0Gc_wPdbA781efwDnjO3QAF_NnIMrItqdxSD9aY4GtFCzVQDnpkC6wa7NDZz/w412-h367/Eve+Star+3-15-09.jpg" width="412" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - March 15, 1909.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"> As the 1909 Marion County Fair rolled around, a motorcycle race was scheduled on November 24.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq-awZ3i7qzr5N5ZVBmmiGl0t8wj3H9V-OpU1FVlS8DhiRQnA-mrBCajIDrf2uzlYns5RvQttqxlbvt5G4lFgcHyvF-vDJaGTU_jhqykFri5WG5ZmlUySvVIDATW5PekTUcZlalOHMJZL/s1855/Ocala+Eve+Star+11-18.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1855" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq-awZ3i7qzr5N5ZVBmmiGl0t8wj3H9V-OpU1FVlS8DhiRQnA-mrBCajIDrf2uzlYns5RvQttqxlbvt5G4lFgcHyvF-vDJaGTU_jhqykFri5WG5ZmlUySvVIDATW5PekTUcZlalOHMJZL/w408-h240/Ocala+Eve+Star+11-18.jpg" width="408" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 18-1909<br /></span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The Sunday before the race, the Evening Star reported that motorcycles entertained early Fair Grounds patrons.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iRFVnWIzOjN9FeVl_CRBTI8ve9cmewS3-PmXGBmemCjP7wTuoyWaU5cO3fiTK6xw8tc1dh5vnX9jOZ2qP7N_XduxA2odI3hazm6LhpUc3-4bATMW_cep2s1RsFKDPZeiIvvH-QOcm1ld/s1192/Ocala+Star+Banner+11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="973" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iRFVnWIzOjN9FeVl_CRBTI8ve9cmewS3-PmXGBmemCjP7wTuoyWaU5cO3fiTK6xw8tc1dh5vnX9jOZ2qP7N_XduxA2odI3hazm6LhpUc3-4bATMW_cep2s1RsFKDPZeiIvvH-QOcm1ld/w261-h320/Ocala+Star+Banner+11.jpg" width="261" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ocala Evening Star - November 22, 1909</span><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala's first documented motorcycle race took place at the Fair Grounds on Wednesday November 24, 1909. This type of race was referred to as a Tradesman Race, as they often involved riders who worked in the motorcycle trade. Two riders, Ben Condon and Ed Bennet competed, with Condon coming out on top with an average speed of 35.2 miles per hour. It appears both rode Indians. This was the first of two 5 Mile Heat Races.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl4C1lqobfyLfEZR0XcGBIS7ub9xFkSY54oGg53dU7GtRA_qFIlQnPGFmI2F_tNzYqAHjtIDPMmu5-GaN0fwfom2Et_E3VFuGi1vSr1bTQjJGExLnWmF3zg8ip_rpMuR4Ew1YkqHf4Pvx/s934/Ocala+Evening+Star+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="934" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl4C1lqobfyLfEZR0XcGBIS7ub9xFkSY54oGg53dU7GtRA_qFIlQnPGFmI2F_tNzYqAHjtIDPMmu5-GaN0fwfom2Et_E3VFuGi1vSr1bTQjJGExLnWmF3zg8ip_rpMuR4Ew1YkqHf4Pvx/w403-h186/Ocala+Evening+Star+1.jpg" width="403" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 24, 1909<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">The races packed the grandstands with Fair Patrons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKqdFGPNlsuV9vgY0sRzJUyyttkhIesZDPexsyNNnGaTldfBuGg3HNu4d1Jm_IyeCmyA3WlE2Cf5J7aU-3fA4B8PTfM4zPWKodQH7Bl44yCrrPAtlQmbUzojAOyV-Mo_UHztR4W2Kp9U2/s954/Ocala+Banner+11-26-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="954" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKqdFGPNlsuV9vgY0sRzJUyyttkhIesZDPexsyNNnGaTldfBuGg3HNu4d1Jm_IyeCmyA3WlE2Cf5J7aU-3fA4B8PTfM4zPWKodQH7Bl44yCrrPAtlQmbUzojAOyV-Mo_UHztR4W2Kp9U2/w400-h233/Ocala+Banner+11-26-1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Banner - November 26-1909<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">The second race held on Friday November 26th, featured Ben Condon ridding an Indian, and Walter Yonge riding a Reading Standard. It appears, despite the fact that the Walter's family were prominent members of the Ocala Business Community, the Ocala Evening Star miss-spelled his last name in their article that gave the details of the race.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgRITC7TZ7HQ3sglNVUWWFrrj-ClOh1GailkCX4gOWDT0Ztv7tc0-na6oxMVAdayzUodXRgKh1c7-UIsk76yjEIeAT7HBaCxFiQiMnYX-s-q8GfyDGbj02JtCQbLZ4WCQz45xvCrqwnBE/s948/OES+11--26-09+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="948" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgRITC7TZ7HQ3sglNVUWWFrrj-ClOh1GailkCX4gOWDT0Ztv7tc0-na6oxMVAdayzUodXRgKh1c7-UIsk76yjEIeAT7HBaCxFiQiMnYX-s-q8GfyDGbj02JtCQbLZ4WCQz45xvCrqwnBE/w400-h140/OES+11--26-09+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Banner - November 26, 1909<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">After the race, Ben Condon, who owned both of the motorcycles in the race, ran a Motorcycles For Sale Ad for them in the Star Banner.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3ENk0huB1hN51KDiwxdfygPrT_9Lz4Zr3rn9ociNJfg6jB_H_ONWtfDychem_iqXqKv1MW7SDPiRz2mFh7JjY0uO4P2qT6I0SFY1ZUcX4gunBe44R3hi1lDh5KMYx1aBYcc2JqE432NZ/s958/OES+12-7-09.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="958" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3ENk0huB1hN51KDiwxdfygPrT_9Lz4Zr3rn9ociNJfg6jB_H_ONWtfDychem_iqXqKv1MW7SDPiRz2mFh7JjY0uO4P2qT6I0SFY1ZUcX4gunBe44R3hi1lDh5KMYx1aBYcc2JqE432NZ/w400-h270/OES+12-7-09.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - December 7, 1909<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">1910 was a relatively quiet year for motorcycling in Ocala. On July 20th, the Star Banner reported that the City Father's had adopted a new ordinance setting the speed limit for Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Automobiles at 10 on straight roads in the city, and 6 miles per hour on curves. The Motorcycle Races were mentioned as being scheduled during the Marion County Fair in November, but there is no mention of the races being run, or the results.</span><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">By early 1911, a new player had entered the motorcycle business in Ocala. Hampton Smith Chambers, who was Ocala's Fire Chief at the time, became the Marion County Agent for Harley-Davidson and Excelsior Motorcycles. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFDgpPXsjPauv7-31OHJ0MneCJeIMgv0Y9rWY6rmctIuB1B1t5RHoon_xl1NpqU72bUf9nA1V5Bes9JmOoDwQ-5zuby18irQtsLBdyLBDPwx8ON3bPNvUzNdIiDpalMpjKRZR0iqYo-ab/w400-h300/Fire+Chief+HS+Chambers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Fire Chief Hampton S. Chambers ca. 1915<br /> (Passenger) in the Fire Department's First Automobile<br />Ocala Fire Department Collection</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFDgpPXsjPauv7-31OHJ0MneCJeIMgv0Y9rWY6rmctIuB1B1t5RHoon_xl1NpqU72bUf9nA1V5Bes9JmOoDwQ-5zuby18irQtsLBdyLBDPwx8ON3bPNvUzNdIiDpalMpjKRZR0iqYo-ab/s1600/Fire+Chief+HS+Chambers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Chambers owned the Ocala Bicycle Shop, which was located on SE Osceola Avenue between the back of the Old Baptist Witness Building and the City Fire Station at Osceola Street and Broadway Street.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ut5o84rryOlteprsvWA-3WAHatlRkljyf1Y80vvXW62PVII1qynTGWWhZThWMiKbV7xavquPSG-0RMGCMAXzpHbKpM2OzHevWLV4weE_jCFsDEJrqNiShce5E0VaAoL8vQMWUtwYYqY/s847/Ocala+Bicycles+1915+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ut5o84rryOlteprsvWA-3WAHatlRkljyf1Y80vvXW62PVII1qynTGWWhZThWMiKbV7xavquPSG-0RMGCMAXzpHbKpM2OzHevWLV4weE_jCFsDEJrqNiShce5E0VaAoL8vQMWUtwYYqY/w350-h640/Ocala+Bicycles+1915+%25282%2529.jpg" width="350" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">H. S. Chambers Ocala Bicycle - SE Osceola Avenue<br />(Cropped Photo ca. 1915)<br />Kent Sperring Collection</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> <br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VPxQxMRenPqMfr33s5SoG9E9w84MjRuH1lgDcVKTUeDOad4tOeqFHv-_ed7Y6y86D6AIu5A0PPt10bKFJKmOoSTKUWnYIMD-5xzxKJGKmIZiLCnVEfRMuvJ4CG-MinM3rdFZhyphenhyphenFijPPj/s1993/OES+10-24-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1993" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VPxQxMRenPqMfr33s5SoG9E9w84MjRuH1lgDcVKTUeDOad4tOeqFHv-_ed7Y6y86D6AIu5A0PPt10bKFJKmOoSTKUWnYIMD-5xzxKJGKmIZiLCnVEfRMuvJ4CG-MinM3rdFZhyphenhyphenFijPPj/w400-h366/OES+10-24-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Bicycle Ad <br />Ocala Banner - October 24, 1911<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">In August 1911, Chambers launched a new package delivery business out of his Bicycle/Motorcycle Shop. As Ocala expanded, motorcycles would be the obvious choice for delivering parcels, as they had been used for this purpose in many other cities.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4RD4wvTvFSrpUWLjEkYCoeCcc0P-EW1LaX3rvrI9xTGBie3xlQqSwoUM8aNmBRQgRYRGKILGnAOa-6RMO8dIqXcsFEVSK4lvUbPcCYz0aTJpag_u-WHQQAFBGdXrGQ1yXu7wBPfNmUbF/s1003/OES+8-25-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="1003" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4RD4wvTvFSrpUWLjEkYCoeCcc0P-EW1LaX3rvrI9xTGBie3xlQqSwoUM8aNmBRQgRYRGKILGnAOa-6RMO8dIqXcsFEVSK4lvUbPcCYz0aTJpag_u-WHQQAFBGdXrGQ1yXu7wBPfNmUbF/w400-h193/OES+8-25-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - August 25, 1911<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">On September 11th, the Evening Star reported that George Chambers, and Laurie Yonge, made a round trip to Gainesville on their motorcycles. They reported that the "bad" roads in Alachua County slowed them down and it took two hours each way.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBGYZuSqueQLCcJKdc3JpNcHZDBpJ8fwdZ7PaD6OZzYSG6Lu9yMRj8RjetRkxpaLZZqoxoE0zzFgRTJH0gMHUsxrSt0C6giBU6NcQZ5yyM6JgKYrM4p_d9DIorxpN5cvqclGj_Ry7s0Qk/s988/OES+9-11-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="988" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBGYZuSqueQLCcJKdc3JpNcHZDBpJ8fwdZ7PaD6OZzYSG6Lu9yMRj8RjetRkxpaLZZqoxoE0zzFgRTJH0gMHUsxrSt0C6giBU6NcQZ5yyM6JgKYrM4p_d9DIorxpN5cvqclGj_Ry7s0Qk/w400-h160/OES+9-11-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - September 11, 1911<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">It appears riding a motorcycle in Ocala has always been a dangerous affair. On October 20th the Star Banner reported the details of a bizarre accident involving a Horse drawn fire truck and motorcyclist Frank Gates.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Q39nBfUP0XwCS71JmiAKe0bO-4fUVqFQ3vDkLZmG0ukjndi1_cdsE6vInhBfclDoNVHEdxL6TuaqU58u6TwzfifelG01wxsBblKUqzjtXuP9U0C39jrgpDixrvT2-y6rDUcXXyFA30Z/s1652/OES+10-20-11+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="984" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Q39nBfUP0XwCS71JmiAKe0bO-4fUVqFQ3vDkLZmG0ukjndi1_cdsE6vInhBfclDoNVHEdxL6TuaqU58u6TwzfifelG01wxsBblKUqzjtXuP9U0C39jrgpDixrvT2-y6rDUcXXyFA30Z/w382-h640/OES+10-20-11+%25281%2529.jpg" width="382" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - October 20, 1911<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">Despite the extensive damage to Gate's motorcycle in the accident, Chamber's mechanics had it repaired "good as ever' by November 1st.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDGV0ucAoCMZ94gE6Pm2Yo5pG0b8DV1QBazIOpH-8Wq3qCSR_D0sOyvdioB9aJ0V5evcvMX7ZiJbnBOL1jDn3QXdKK0c8owE5KibPMutkwkbBeTTo3smGjx26FgtGDFtlgFjQS7vjHTAD/s984/OES+11-1-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="984" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDGV0ucAoCMZ94gE6Pm2Yo5pG0b8DV1QBazIOpH-8Wq3qCSR_D0sOyvdioB9aJ0V5evcvMX7ZiJbnBOL1jDn3QXdKK0c8owE5KibPMutkwkbBeTTo3smGjx26FgtGDFtlgFjQS7vjHTAD/w400-h99/OES+11-1-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 1, 1911<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">On November 8th, the Evening Stat reported Mr. Gates had submitted a bill for damages caused to his motorcycle in October 20th accident.</span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmADesl6mvXYXgb0z8MAVM6tpuSI8wFfw3CrhC4ffSTP-vbL4uxKPQmmB04U6AIgnzyAU-AmOgRuvbnXEAxqOUehGtq9R84bN971aNBvVMV5NEaWV_CddcDjcltsK-URUs57h5MzJRZf0/s988/OES+11-8-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="988" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmADesl6mvXYXgb0z8MAVM6tpuSI8wFfw3CrhC4ffSTP-vbL4uxKPQmmB04U6AIgnzyAU-AmOgRuvbnXEAxqOUehGtq9R84bN971aNBvVMV5NEaWV_CddcDjcltsK-URUs57h5MzJRZf0/w400-h236/OES+11-8-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 8, 1911</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Business, went well for the new Harley-Davidson Dealer, and in November, the Star Banner reported H.S. Chambers was expanding his shop on NE. Osceola Avenue.</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="949" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaqeVxYqDXoql_Q3q6Nlfqkqy1AGpYJMPNd5GyhVAXK6e1ZBg8Nak5h70B4OBpeCSmepPJkpR-VR8pZJeeGM5DAAn-lSW3kfAwXjottBR5LmYEJB28xi76j3U9NL8C2A2q_iEMLWIArrm/w400-h215/OES+11-6-11+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 11, 1911</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaqeVxYqDXoql_Q3q6Nlfqkqy1AGpYJMPNd5GyhVAXK6e1ZBg8Nak5h70B4OBpeCSmepPJkpR-VR8pZJeeGM5DAAn-lSW3kfAwXjottBR5LmYEJB28xi76j3U9NL8C2A2q_iEMLWIArrm/s949/OES+11-6-11+%25282%2529.jpg"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">With two motorcycle dealers in town, the annual motorcycle races on the half mile track Marion County Fair in November took on new interest. Surely Indian and Harley-Davidson would duke it out for dominance on the track, as well as sales of motorcycles to local enthusiasts. A $100. cash prize was announced by the Fair, which was a princely sum for an amateur motorcycle race at a time when the largest professional motorcycle races generally offered $500. in gold as their first prize. Mr. Chamber's son George was already preparing for the races in mid-October.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JIl6l9KlBmvqMWdH6WqIbs7k5ZPKEptzzg91-1fYH78vz_Dun4rngD8YM2p7S_f1jKjUdyi3gL9m_OV-7j7yS-NdB0CWQ3VyZ1v7y__fkgXP-crdehnFN0bpZZR-ArOYFzLtchyoWhyphenhyphenN/s983/OES+10-16-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="983" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JIl6l9KlBmvqMWdH6WqIbs7k5ZPKEptzzg91-1fYH78vz_Dun4rngD8YM2p7S_f1jKjUdyi3gL9m_OV-7j7yS-NdB0CWQ3VyZ1v7y__fkgXP-crdehnFN0bpZZR-ArOYFzLtchyoWhyphenhyphenN/w400-h105/OES+10-16-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span>Ocala Evening Star - O</span></b><b><span>ctober 16, 1911</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFWHLjbLkUvdTU3qRCAfptHH1AFIl4tOsfmA62mvzoGRG2frFnJZUqC24BBqUWm8Ro1N3T4DqQDpDIqL8YpNirJg9Y4dPRTB-7kf_ZYzpTh5zka_BhMQvRC43TztTSmDXHVdFnLxZUlZK/s546/1911+Fair.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="546" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFWHLjbLkUvdTU3qRCAfptHH1AFIl4tOsfmA62mvzoGRG2frFnJZUqC24BBqUWm8Ro1N3T4DqQDpDIqL8YpNirJg9Y4dPRTB-7kf_ZYzpTh5zka_BhMQvRC43TztTSmDXHVdFnLxZUlZK/w400-h293/1911+Fair.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 1, 1911<br /></span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">On November 13th, The Evening Star reported that racers were already taking practice laps at the Fair Grounds for the much anticipated upcoming motorcycle races.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfWjLwfou88Hme_4Yy96zFStSrAdUhuiAtDDAgo_5MOu_onY7PDzjdAEHB2tD19atRKJ-RVHeeTgWd94zx1AcncgQjOpUZt3thXmSor_MZcBf49rW3etmGz9rbCO1dtHOVZFWWBcKaZEr/s985/OES+11-13-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="985" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfWjLwfou88Hme_4Yy96zFStSrAdUhuiAtDDAgo_5MOu_onY7PDzjdAEHB2tD19atRKJ-RVHeeTgWd94zx1AcncgQjOpUZt3thXmSor_MZcBf49rW3etmGz9rbCO1dtHOVZFWWBcKaZEr/w400-h190/OES+11-13-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span>Ocala Evening Star - November 13, 1911</span></b><b><span><br /><br /></span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile on the streets of Ocala, motorcycles were gaining a bad reputation for causing mayhem with the horse and buggy folks!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXxTiJtAu7FOZfmBPPf3gSRPJfL8-xDr_VZfjFf6YJifijrXEwnFe6xgRZgVFIU2gpRsZ7MmKF3sBQKGBIhCqmVCeWnILd_PQGVujxOjYAriM6B-LiFukArsj8ftO4bV-mB2kDQLFIAaL/s978/OES+11-16-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="978" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXxTiJtAu7FOZfmBPPf3gSRPJfL8-xDr_VZfjFf6YJifijrXEwnFe6xgRZgVFIU2gpRsZ7MmKF3sBQKGBIhCqmVCeWnILd_PQGVujxOjYAriM6B-LiFukArsj8ftO4bV-mB2kDQLFIAaL/w400-h260/OES+11-16-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 11, 1911<br /></span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Motorcycle racing is not without casualties, and on November 17th, Harry Cole learned that lesson. Cole and Frank Gates were taking practice laps at the Fair Grounds Racetrack for the upcoming Marion County Fair Race when Cole hit a hole in the track, causing him to crash.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc_21IqUS93tzypDjopWQE2u9UvOsRBh3sxIYoSZ9dxHqMJ8e4qgW-sLfUYx3i34ZYgmaAKykJB5qLr_BWWe3OV-GCJzGNlYWfHwD40qSiQ3RrsRmh6waEu-IY1SUS_e1JI2gPqJjdxq_/s995/OES+11-17-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="995" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc_21IqUS93tzypDjopWQE2u9UvOsRBh3sxIYoSZ9dxHqMJ8e4qgW-sLfUYx3i34ZYgmaAKykJB5qLr_BWWe3OV-GCJzGNlYWfHwD40qSiQ3RrsRmh6waEu-IY1SUS_e1JI2gPqJjdxq_/w400-h356/OES+11-17-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 17, 1911<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">The Fair's first motorcycle heat race race took place on Tuesday November 21. H. S. Chamber's son, George Chambers claimed the $25 First Prize riding an Excelsior motorcycle, with Laurie Yonge finishing second on a Harley-Davidson. George Chambers, like his father, was now an Ocala Fireman</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEP2uJLCFR2_SlJ0yjeuZ7DN3wNX3tAP8zQRJicYUtuTKnJHuA-eOGZlhVvfMurmNtFNiEKxKPa3Bem68qz2al2GU4791WqH1leK5GT1VkOYFHbsPtcd6ARSQEpeUxNF7KjLfWe494vD8/s640/1911+Excelsior.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEP2uJLCFR2_SlJ0yjeuZ7DN3wNX3tAP8zQRJicYUtuTKnJHuA-eOGZlhVvfMurmNtFNiEKxKPa3Bem68qz2al2GU4791WqH1leK5GT1VkOYFHbsPtcd6ARSQEpeUxNF7KjLfWe494vD8/w400-h300/1911+Excelsior.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1911 Excelsior - Bonham's Auction</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP_tUwngJ5OR82iOzO8OgmK22CQvFPORU6wwdfQrM4DpFx4gKrm0d5JRN66r0jw0xGbKxytAvAbgfxSopC8dysV8scJyIVTWbbKBF5y9vju_UTrVJEeWjmlc-ZfO7OByYkywbCJLl3VQa/s990/OES+11-22-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="990" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP_tUwngJ5OR82iOzO8OgmK22CQvFPORU6wwdfQrM4DpFx4gKrm0d5JRN66r0jw0xGbKxytAvAbgfxSopC8dysV8scJyIVTWbbKBF5y9vju_UTrVJEeWjmlc-ZfO7OByYkywbCJLl3VQa/w400-h175/OES+11-22-11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 22, 1911<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The second race took place on Wednesday November 22, with Walter Younge claiming the $25. First Prize on an Indian Motocycle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozTBLY4x2feofwvvI2j_WrRzwIZ5A3FiINcDBxmEOLhCnO11UYXiIjjgU5qMj6Te-d9meYrhEvrWbkhmHlr6-5OXH9hkNgLc4dLTf2Vav8yqd1T9oxiLT4XBC2VxkTX3xVOB7Ub99Kv8W/s740/1911-Indian+-+J%2526P.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="740" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozTBLY4x2feofwvvI2j_WrRzwIZ5A3FiINcDBxmEOLhCnO11UYXiIjjgU5qMj6Te-d9meYrhEvrWbkhmHlr6-5OXH9hkNgLc4dLTf2Vav8yqd1T9oxiLT4XBC2VxkTX3xVOB7Ub99Kv8W/w400-h260/1911-Indian+-+J%2526P.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">1911 Indian Motocycle - J & P Cycles<br /></span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7toLbPYzuMBOo1NlPg8IVizxW1-_G85X-qM5zEkLoeCbPK848qYTHuEaxYTi3Ln7tqPil_l-K_BnX7yjNZV8h7AG5K5Xqk_GcteWg_SXQUhRHczZlAz6Ww7jzrvqwmMXvDAAAGVbCtYl/s985/OES+11-22-11+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="985" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7toLbPYzuMBOo1NlPg8IVizxW1-_G85X-qM5zEkLoeCbPK848qYTHuEaxYTi3Ln7tqPil_l-K_BnX7yjNZV8h7AG5K5Xqk_GcteWg_SXQUhRHczZlAz6Ww7jzrvqwmMXvDAAAGVbCtYl/w400-h343/OES+11-22-11+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 22, 1911<br /></span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: large;">When the Friday night Final Race rolled off, George Chambers on the Excelsior Motorcycle claimed the big $100. First Prize, finishing a sixth of a mile ahead of Walter Yonge on his Indian Motocycle.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3LKkVzmYkwdHoTYzq4CIKgP3eM7dKrdfruZ11fWdV8EVl3_fJtJvMWWrXQT59bDGaoVCJu0ppBzHIlBwb1dQDl6J89JxY4khEZ7-ddP72oVnOWA8Hpkq6gP2WNIarq4gOqDU1Y4HLWDD/s983/OES+11-24-1911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="983" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3LKkVzmYkwdHoTYzq4CIKgP3eM7dKrdfruZ11fWdV8EVl3_fJtJvMWWrXQT59bDGaoVCJu0ppBzHIlBwb1dQDl6J89JxY4khEZ7-ddP72oVnOWA8Hpkq6gP2WNIarq4gOqDU1Y4HLWDD/w400-h165/OES+11-24-1911.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 24, 1911</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">In early 1912, H. S. Chambers formed the Ocala Motorcycle Brigade. The purpose of the new squad is not explained, but it appeared to be connected with the Ocala Fire Department. A photo of the new squad appeared in the June 20th, 1912, edition of the Evening Star. This appears to be the first motorcycle photograph the Evening Star published.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqalA7Yipk3PzemaPZ6O8FGearGisdRVx7VUcRw3zn-3SmSNxqH5k01mFFbTkPMAkJJcEONFcwhLIGI0UCoPgmyQFwtdlfVeNU2F6RYcj1X2xEaswK-8GLIF8a7PuqJvsYHuZn1FZS34rd/s2048/OES+6-20-12+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="2048" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqalA7Yipk3PzemaPZ6O8FGearGisdRVx7VUcRw3zn-3SmSNxqH5k01mFFbTkPMAkJJcEONFcwhLIGI0UCoPgmyQFwtdlfVeNU2F6RYcj1X2xEaswK-8GLIF8a7PuqJvsYHuZn1FZS34rd/w400-h272/OES+6-20-12+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - June 20, 1912</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The riders in the Motorcycle Brigade were identified in two editions of the Evening Star.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GjasOlte4_rMhKP-hOA48QrvByZUUSGpMeLf_dxyB1w8hX39x3cxtCha2bC24Al9ZYz4xFxm_r6JSdBaW9d1H2QJ3SaI3676dOSAv9zg9GBPcxk9SDNoIiSwfBhCwHfpBAGUOCTckmD8/s983/OES+3-1-1912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="983" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GjasOlte4_rMhKP-hOA48QrvByZUUSGpMeLf_dxyB1w8hX39x3cxtCha2bC24Al9ZYz4xFxm_r6JSdBaW9d1H2QJ3SaI3676dOSAv9zg9GBPcxk9SDNoIiSwfBhCwHfpBAGUOCTckmD8/w400-h335/OES+3-1-1912.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span><div style="font-size: xxx-large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94SmIedC64Hi4tcL4JCtRpXpUhLg_Hm0T_fbucnyq5Ge-Wt14g8I8nYeww_iy73dTQOqgIoeqo3evzYF5xd3hytxUhLuFGap0M_pbiPcKY5_IQnZDPY5aFDDFVZmHb4WsQ_VUnexGKsaW/s964/OES+43-4-1912+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="964" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94SmIedC64Hi4tcL4JCtRpXpUhLg_Hm0T_fbucnyq5Ge-Wt14g8I8nYeww_iy73dTQOqgIoeqo3evzYF5xd3hytxUhLuFGap0M_pbiPcKY5_IQnZDPY5aFDDFVZmHb4WsQ_VUnexGKsaW/w400-h125/OES+43-4-1912+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The motorcycle races at the Fairgrounds continued through 1912. Both Chamber's Harley-Davidson and Condon's Indian dealerships were prospering confirming the old "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" adage. </span></div></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGwArzjKG7JwR75Eam-_FtwQbjUau6Yxhn6ToYofAdGwAm5RPtCjquekmjKIVNbTxGWqHFHz9JPKM1buQd8vbDVoElMTgKWadgJ9rJlEH-hptLK7nh6O2lMwccMGREDl3EJJAW1lAzzqN/s2048/OES+9-16-1912.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1454" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGwArzjKG7JwR75Eam-_FtwQbjUau6Yxhn6ToYofAdGwAm5RPtCjquekmjKIVNbTxGWqHFHz9JPKM1buQd8vbDVoElMTgKWadgJ9rJlEH-hptLK7nh6O2lMwccMGREDl3EJJAW1lAzzqN/w454-h640/OES+9-16-1912.jpg" width="454" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - September 16, 1912</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Evening Star continued to report motorcycle accidents in the city, some of which appear to be the result of dangerous riding practices by local motorcyclists. Riding passengers on the handlebars like a bicycle???</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodXmznJrXElesmFAI9YbPQLQ9SxUfQCLXKLUix5aX5GwZDMLIvWNKqCPgl1ZJ_q9sk2wtDo0yj8cWGQeGGf_5Qflyar0niEebXkwCakI0KVFlBQtXqpuExXLi6c5hNP3Qj57dyRg88uvG/s1834/OES+4-23-13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="990" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodXmznJrXElesmFAI9YbPQLQ9SxUfQCLXKLUix5aX5GwZDMLIvWNKqCPgl1ZJ_q9sk2wtDo0yj8cWGQeGGf_5Qflyar0niEebXkwCakI0KVFlBQtXqpuExXLi6c5hNP3Qj57dyRg88uvG/w346-h640/OES+4-23-13.jpg" width="346" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - April 23, 1913<br /><br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;">For 1913 the Fairgrounds featured a new Motordrome Motorcycle Thrill Show, which appears to have replaced the motorcycle races.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: xx-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkxd-od5aG4_J8L7oiJi4ac82QHZafilW3EZzOAsCJvcV3-LW6iedU16mrSfNHKrOKAt5s5tR4jcz5rLGPMTyA-1eX8CFlgfL-e1fsC_K6oXwSv1G-VjdZSxCIt_ClGx0HgP_ErbGe86J/s980/11-19-1913+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="980" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkxd-od5aG4_J8L7oiJi4ac82QHZafilW3EZzOAsCJvcV3-LW6iedU16mrSfNHKrOKAt5s5tR4jcz5rLGPMTyA-1eX8CFlgfL-e1fsC_K6oXwSv1G-VjdZSxCIt_ClGx0HgP_ErbGe86J/w400-h173/11-19-1913+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - September 11, 1913<br /><br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">These Motordrome Thrill Shows featured motorcycles lapping around steeply banked circular wooden tracks, similar to the modern-day Wall of Death Shows.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT_Ym1exiNRlRR4xS1_A-cMvLhZgq11KRxh6OwQSbPZ9GnyBg3_SbRo2Z6WD3HW1RzLYkmNC57joF1eEtl_OFATyW6qVc68t-2vpPzwrXd8-MXwBGXYMzu5m_M3APMkWA9sWCYoEeqMG2/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-12-28+at+7.54.42+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="400" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT_Ym1exiNRlRR4xS1_A-cMvLhZgq11KRxh6OwQSbPZ9GnyBg3_SbRo2Z6WD3HW1RzLYkmNC57joF1eEtl_OFATyW6qVc68t-2vpPzwrXd8-MXwBGXYMzu5m_M3APMkWA9sWCYoEeqMG2/w400-h268/Screen+Shot+2015-12-28+at+7.54.42+PM.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Early Motordrome Thrill Show<br />S. E. Rochelle Collection -Durham County Library</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">For 1916, the Fair's Motordrome Show featured female rider Hazel Russell, who was billed as the "Society Girl". Hazel, and her husband Ira Watkins preformed death-defying stunts, while riding motorcycles on the 90-degree wooden wall.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MGnMxFQWDhYei13YfIYQnHxE_1PNmJSDl7KE3Ey6uWYXquVWj-WRH8hrr7QvD4EVJT_iZTi_JBW4uKxvpkiUyKB6_RII_b1yVDtCSGJXNCruQYuVp41BZC51tX2_hGuOB705mD2VSTXf/s3203/OES+11-30-1916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3203" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MGnMxFQWDhYei13YfIYQnHxE_1PNmJSDl7KE3Ey6uWYXquVWj-WRH8hrr7QvD4EVJT_iZTi_JBW4uKxvpkiUyKB6_RII_b1yVDtCSGJXNCruQYuVp41BZC51tX2_hGuOB705mD2VSTXf/w192-h640/OES+11-30-1916.jpg" width="192" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star -November 30, 1916</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">By 1917, the early motorcycle shops had changed hands, and were passed down to the younger generation. H. S. Chambers Harley-Davidson Shop, and B. F. Condon's Indian Shop, were now combined on the ground floor of the old Baptist Witness Building and were owned by Laurie Yonge. B.F. Condon had moved on selling automobiles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7W2oyHY9X60fvPxqKuH-Tv-SRX2-ZfsOFCgFKfSs-CaO4mvzSyb2902FwKSt3vjIYpg3s-b6M7FsmnDL8kG2IRVHhyU0uwlPU6oXWxpWpOBm3KXP_-ByBSGuKxTZqXGxF5P758gdTYJC/s1741/OES+12-20-1917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1741" data-original-width="950" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7W2oyHY9X60fvPxqKuH-Tv-SRX2-ZfsOFCgFKfSs-CaO4mvzSyb2902FwKSt3vjIYpg3s-b6M7FsmnDL8kG2IRVHhyU0uwlPU6oXWxpWpOBm3KXP_-ByBSGuKxTZqXGxF5P758gdTYJC/w350-h640/OES+12-20-1917.jpg" width="350" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - December 20, 1917<br /><br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> At the end of 1917, the Motordrome Show at the Fairgrounds closed it's gates, and the motorcycles were sold off in Evening Star Ads.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7l9PKC_N-9C8litpHt_BneM6L-gDaizedNDXAneSutFy6oH9H1GvUqmSaWJvxv8T2oJdpnUUo60t9rOcQCehXFzfUxK92FdJ3I1yn0InOSwnmgeETDSpAODryBxu48r7QZImnchVSrlO/s950/OES+11-28-1917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="950" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7l9PKC_N-9C8litpHt_BneM6L-gDaizedNDXAneSutFy6oH9H1GvUqmSaWJvxv8T2oJdpnUUo60t9rOcQCehXFzfUxK92FdJ3I1yn0InOSwnmgeETDSpAODryBxu48r7QZImnchVSrlO/w400-h98/OES+11-28-1917.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star - November 28, 1917</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As America's involvement in World War One approached, motorcycle dealers were hit with a double whammy. First the supplies of new motorcycles, gasoline, spare parts, and tires, went to the military. Then their primary customers, young men, were drafted, sent off to training, and to service in Europe. This put an end to the first decade of motorcycling, and many local motorcycle dealers across the country, either switched to automobile sales, or closed their doors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In June 1919, the City Fathers passed a new traffic Law, which raised the speed limit for Automobiles & Motorcycles to 15 Miles per hour on straight roads. The limit remained at 6 mph on curves. They also banned the use of exhaust cut out valves on motorcycles in the city, due to the increased noise they provided. No loud pipes in the city!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Epilog:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Today, the location of the original Ocala Fire House is marked by the Fire House Bell, which is located on the corner of NE Osceola Avenue and Broadway Street. Ocala's original motorcycle shops were located south of that location.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpRTQL9FINDPnXOrKjMMLXpCpINBoZmFTzzOHFbdedaETm7L-2g8O-k7outbpPzzG6DXimqoobcnfa2_xIS6JFkVSTFLG90IgppE5K5QbPyKm3-KlrUYdxvf7ezXQ57Tu6fuwNlSud1j1/s1725/IMG_1909.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="1502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpRTQL9FINDPnXOrKjMMLXpCpINBoZmFTzzOHFbdedaETm7L-2g8O-k7outbpPzzG6DXimqoobcnfa2_xIS6JFkVSTFLG90IgppE5K5QbPyKm3-KlrUYdxvf7ezXQ57Tu6fuwNlSud1j1/w349-h400/IMG_1909.jpg" width="349" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ocala Fire House Bell<br />Osceola Avenue & Broadway Street</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9_OFMlp3s5gucyGh0He7ltwOZo9C_hhlKtOqyAd8QqutwqwSNwX-Dp3DWEcimmgqzWUN8cwQhXU9JC9RiH7An1z8S-16xmY5QyeIeRRZfTuPMz8zQxG3fsfSGXbbt8ogNoipthFvTvbE/s1280/IMG_1910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1280" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9_OFMlp3s5gucyGh0He7ltwOZo9C_hhlKtOqyAd8QqutwqwSNwX-Dp3DWEcimmgqzWUN8cwQhXU9JC9RiH7An1z8S-16xmY5QyeIeRRZfTuPMz8zQxG3fsfSGXbbt8ogNoipthFvTvbE/w400-h306/IMG_1910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sources:</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bonham's Auction</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Buffalo Evening News</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Durham County Library</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">J&P Cycles Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Kent Sperring Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Kip Kolter's Old School Bike Site</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Marion County Clerk's Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mark Hammer Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Evening Star</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Fire Department Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ocala Fire Rescue on Facebook</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Newspapers.com</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">S. E. Rochelle Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The Tenn</span><span>essean</span></span></b></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-32990341539563661672020-01-20T10:52:00.005-08:002022-01-10T15:31:40.920-08:00Back To The Beginning - Episode #45<b>January 20, 2020</b><br />
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<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b> @Mototique Racing</b><div><b> Ocala, Florida</b><br />
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When I first built the blanked off 1921 Harley-Davidson motor for my racer back in 2010, I couldn't make up my mind, whether to use the front, or rear cylinder. I mocked up the motor both ways, and really liked the rear cylinder configuration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKx0TYQizK2xDCGk5e88ZUzdQ1w_HNgPq_G4rlCdDbXraV9BqUsoMvYH7zck0S9MyI2zTg9PuKLKvLxm9X7FmApPDwzeyF3FyR2TVk1kKVfGsoETJ_zKMSF80YXsNsmIeRmDYiF2vlEGe/s1600/422428_321714637885258_1027826315_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="806" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKx0TYQizK2xDCGk5e88ZUzdQ1w_HNgPq_G4rlCdDbXraV9BqUsoMvYH7zck0S9MyI2zTg9PuKLKvLxm9X7FmApPDwzeyF3FyR2TVk1kKVfGsoETJ_zKMSF80YXsNsmIeRmDYiF2vlEGe/s400/422428_321714637885258_1027826315_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Rat Racer - Rear Cylinder </span>Mockup <br /><br /></b></td></tr>
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My rear cylinder had a nasty gouge in the lower bore, where a wrist pin had come adrift, way back when. That wasn't a problem, as I was planning to have the cylinder bored, and use a modern aluminum piston. I checked with my parts supplier, but they said they were out of stock on the piston I needed, and it would be at least 6 months before they got a new supply. I was impatient to get the project moving, so I searched through my parts stash, and found a usable original iron piston & rings, along with a front cylinder with a good bore. I ran a hone through original tapered bore, and everything fit nicely, so the decision was made for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zrTpXlXAIHS2qk4NX0suYUOuOID7SqiuWN9xGuOblRUQFOu5ggDPjkwBiP43nNXQhCIOV2Qmu6M4cKnTyWgGs803ed1hYeBhS3TK2fbXKWjhgu0OJD6T9Y2J3cZzW5tyLeRBp-e2t263/s1600/23844402_1709192072470834_4764382181414208837_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zrTpXlXAIHS2qk4NX0suYUOuOID7SqiuWN9xGuOblRUQFOu5ggDPjkwBiP43nNXQhCIOV2Qmu6M4cKnTyWgGs803ed1hYeBhS3TK2fbXKWjhgu0OJD6T9Y2J3cZzW5tyLeRBp-e2t263/s400/23844402_1709192072470834_4764382181414208837_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Warren Lane's True Grit Vintage Bike Show</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Destination Daytona - October 2017</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Photo by: Michael Lichter</b></span></div>
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I ran the front cylinder set up in Sons of Speed races for 2018 and the March 2019 race. After the March 2019 race, I started looking for a little more speed. One day, I was digging through my spare parts, and found another rear cylinder. the bore on this cylinder was near perfect, but it had a crack in the exhaust valve seat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_E0Mtv2pOUZ1f6rLRR-SLVF7T64Pgtc2adhwhsLeVpkEfKgNdq2t-SH-PgTaYvbpoMXH8gYrHCaYZT6DS2qr5besNi6yQrMa6Rl-_ogeDlImSybVhR7OSAWbMXULNyXJGHVj5VDqp1bc/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_E0Mtv2pOUZ1f6rLRR-SLVF7T64Pgtc2adhwhsLeVpkEfKgNdq2t-SH-PgTaYvbpoMXH8gYrHCaYZT6DS2qr5besNi6yQrMa6Rl-_ogeDlImSybVhR7OSAWbMXULNyXJGHVj5VDqp1bc/s400/IMG_0698.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: small;">Cracked Exhaust Valve Seat - Bottom Left</span></u></b></td></tr>
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After checking with several knowledgeable motor builders, the consensus was that the cylinder could not be repaired. I had met Michael Lange at one of our races, and after seeing this photo of crack, he said he could repair it. Michael did a great job, and a very reasonable cost.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuZht4eljvp96vetzoa-fYqSKCLU3-Cnj9Tt-z_VabmjVXF_o5-B-P1wg3oVfd6Vj4uQ00RpoZGQKURGNSzWWn756J565LO5GuHuxG59L1rsCa_GAwT3hrTMIcz1_JDIzq18wxvuji8aa/s1600/9E71448E-1236-4652-A627-004BED4BB183.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuZht4eljvp96vetzoa-fYqSKCLU3-Cnj9Tt-z_VabmjVXF_o5-B-P1wg3oVfd6Vj4uQ00RpoZGQKURGNSzWWn756J565LO5GuHuxG59L1rsCa_GAwT3hrTMIcz1_JDIzq18wxvuji8aa/s400/9E71448E-1236-4652-A627-004BED4BB183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rat Racer - Rear Cylinder Set Up</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">January 2020</span></b></div>
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I ran this set up in the October 2019 Sons of Speed races, and the bike ran faster than ever!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K5ciD4MzTUpNQDwyPJzD13UZZyh3lkysRilNk0ydlxp8IxG73l9LkuaBwPXEpqtABvncZkkyCX5hv8_6KNIrxEB_tjg1tBJSq9-je_9lYSBOwR23y0pwaHzey0ncNC4aMnv6-9y4Vtl1/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K5ciD4MzTUpNQDwyPJzD13UZZyh3lkysRilNk0ydlxp8IxG73l9LkuaBwPXEpqtABvncZkkyCX5hv8_6KNIrxEB_tjg1tBJSq9-je_9lYSBOwR23y0pwaHzey0ncNC4aMnv6-9y4Vtl1/s400/IMG_1044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">2019 Biketoberfest Sons of Speed Race @ New Smyrna Speedway</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo by: Jim Dohms - Dohms Creative Photography</span></b></div>
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Once again in my heat race, I lined up against a field of V Twin racers with twice the engine displacement of mine. I held on to third place, the final transfer spot to the final, for 4 laps, before Shawn McLean passed me on his beautiful Indian Power Plus twin and went on to third place. The March 2020 race will feature a new 30.50ci. -500cc single cylinder class. Woohoo! No more chasing V twins with twice the motor!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyLxqPSMU8u_tTjP90Nw7IL3dvJIrylkDeMpb3Yeq9XKudB9ePF47o--iPXpkODWYyo8MAHNCKgRNs3Nf31bA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b>Rat Racer - Race Ready January 2020</b></div>
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<b>Come out and watch us:</b><br />
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<b>2020 Daytona Bike Week Sons of Speed Races</b></div>
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<b>Saturday March 7, 2020 - 5:00 PM. </b></div>
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<b>New Smyrna Speedway</b></div>
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<b>New Smyrna Beach, Florida</b></div>
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<b></b><b>Sources:</b></div>
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<b>Jim Dohms - Dohms Creative Photography</b></div>
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<b>Michael Lichter</b></div>
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</b></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-146639616997769942019-02-17T10:12:00.001-08:002022-01-10T18:03:49.106-08:00Press Release #12 - George Albright's 9th Annual Car Show in Ocala, Florida<b>February 17, 2019</b><br />
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<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@ Mototique Racing</b><div><b>Ocala, Florida<br /></b>
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I have been busy the last few weeks, preparing Rat Racer, my 1921 Harley-Davidson racer for the upcoming Sons of Speed Races on Saturday March 9th, @ the New Smyrna Speedway. Friday morning, my lovely wife Kim received a message from her friend Tammy Albright, asking if we were going to bring Rat Racer to their car show on Saturday. Tammy's husband George is the Marion County Florida Property Appraiser, and each year they sponsor a huge car show at the McPherson Complex just up the road from out house. I had to admit I had forgotten about the event but told Kim to tell Tammy we would be there.<br />
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Saturday morning, I scurried around getting Rat Racer presentable, and my friend Joe Niles rode over to help me load the bike, for the two-mile trip up the road to the show. When we unloaded Rat Racer, we realized we had left the stand in my garage, so I ran back to the house, while Joe sat on the bike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5wrtzhiFobfg_qg7l5afqX0heuEnsFwpeYXZ4AClvnRKIiM0jzUh-RudvV2Vi08xqzpx6OSN0CdOAkD-shCi3byjAPS5SC1vcnHfCzuFvdiZ5RG26lgxtg7zTSnEhNcXqzik1mq2OgC2/s1600/Joe+%2526+I+Car+Show.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5wrtzhiFobfg_qg7l5afqX0heuEnsFwpeYXZ4AClvnRKIiM0jzUh-RudvV2Vi08xqzpx6OSN0CdOAkD-shCi3byjAPS5SC1vcnHfCzuFvdiZ5RG26lgxtg7zTSnEhNcXqzik1mq2OgC2/s400/Joe+%2526+I+Car+Show.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were only a handful of motorcycles on display, including Rat Racer, and Joe's Ultra Classic Harley-Davidson, but the McPherson Center parking lot was filled with about 200 antique, classic, and custom cars. I did manage to get a short video of our end of the show.<br />
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<b>Click on the link below to see it:</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeadlyDavesBlog/videos/2288180658106570/">George Albright's 9th Annual Car Show</a></b></div>
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We spent the rest of the day starting Rat Racer for the crowds, and letting folks get their picture taken on both our bike. Kim showed up, and we finally got her photo sitting on Rat Racer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0q2R2zMEjwqOs0zeYTfRE-15bhPCMkBTQ3golHWW4VF4PtmrtomWyj1w6sXfilGxKlPKBvSJu6U7O8zQHg9hVduhdpYxzmaUfMudK-X15eT-iQtyWT_3ASD4zlVep3gBhZtsY1S6XBM9/s1600/Kim+on+the+Rat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0q2R2zMEjwqOs0zeYTfRE-15bhPCMkBTQ3golHWW4VF4PtmrtomWyj1w6sXfilGxKlPKBvSJu6U7O8zQHg9hVduhdpYxzmaUfMudK-X15eT-iQtyWT_3ASD4zlVep3gBhZtsY1S6XBM9/s400/Kim+on+the+Rat.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Joe's friend Stephanie showed up with her dog Dura and got her photo on both bikes.</div>
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There's a little surprise waiting for anyone sitting on Rat Racer. They look down and see Captain Cockroach, Ocala's fastest cockroach, our Mototique Racing mascot on the tank. It's a blast to watch folks' reaction to him!</div>
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I got a trophy for best motorcycle, which really should have gone to Joe's Ultra Classic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEPHSEShUndL0Qxc2xACc-Iheai8VKqB_gs0OiLXGtpHnESY9qvlTLjmJOdMMMq4pcQMuV1IJtj57_ukfOG1iKRcF7ZH74isYNYV8OOEX38WNelRs4uDD7IE5nr1HmrYfUg39J_5Y36r/s1600/Car+Show+Trophy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="606" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEPHSEShUndL0Qxc2xACc-Iheai8VKqB_gs0OiLXGtpHnESY9qvlTLjmJOdMMMq4pcQMuV1IJtj57_ukfOG1iKRcF7ZH74isYNYV8OOEX38WNelRs4uDD7IE5nr1HmrYfUg39J_5Y36r/s400/Car+Show+Trophy.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
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Once again, it was a great event which raised money for local charities. A big thank you to George and Tammy Albright for inviting us, and to all their volunteers, and sponsors. Great job folks!</div>
</div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0801 NE 25th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470, USA29.1948746 -82.1029423999999613.6728355999999991 -123.41153639999996 54.7169136 -40.794348399999961tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-78986156377338069712018-05-07T08:59:00.002-07:002022-01-10T18:07:24.862-08:00Press Release # 11 Crossing 200,000 Page Views<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<b>May 7, 2018</b></div>
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<b>By: David L. Morrill</b></div>
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<b>@ Mototique Racing</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Ocala, Florida</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQK8Nob-6ttDwOKtkn2gfLJNEfKZO4gCczyIpeOD58fbtGvEFEis0NpmR0amQxlT4P8ZwQ71ol29ogtAtMvzYO8voJ8UqwOR5Hcm90WIH4odGaO2aTQv3U06225ojVItqlsu-4KwJ7Pec/s1600/Mototique+Cover+New+Font.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="798" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQK8Nob-6ttDwOKtkn2gfLJNEfKZO4gCczyIpeOD58fbtGvEFEis0NpmR0amQxlT4P8ZwQ71ol29ogtAtMvzYO8voJ8UqwOR5Hcm90WIH4odGaO2aTQv3U06225ojVItqlsu-4KwJ7Pec/s400/Mototique+Cover+New+Font.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Just noticed that Mototique recently crossed 200,000 pages views. To all those folks who read, and share my episodes, thank you so very much! Never thought I would reach this point.</b></div>
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<b>Sincerely,</b><br />
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<b>David L. Morrill</b>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-58423070713483883302018-03-22T08:30:00.007-07:002022-01-10T17:57:16.991-08:00Press Release #10 <b>March 22, 2021</b><br />
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<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@Mototique Racing</b><div><b>Ocala, Florida<br /></b>
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<b>I am changing the name of my blog to Mototique Racing. I will continue to share the lost stories of early American Motorcycling, along with modern events featuring Antique Motorcycle Racing.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Staging for 2018 Sons of Speed Heat #3</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">New Smyrna Speedway, Florida</span></b></div>
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<b></b><b></b><br /></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-6972405479322611372018-03-05T08:25:00.001-08:002018-05-09T08:39:24.450-07:00Press Release #9 Daytona Bike Week 2018 Sons of Speed Races.<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@Mototique</b><br />
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Billy & Erin Lane's Sons of Speed Races are returning to the New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday March 17, 2018.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsxg63GqUhdDhysSPn7pTrBU6e5_hu6LvG6npmRoZJRFJPNNipb7UyHdS6sJgIKiiTh5QGdqueSEda9s5i8St3eQelTw4-ET-uWlSlKhu8EqfWBEyT6E1Ty-U4LXWnLv-K5qEumNzVJcI/s1600/Scan_20180209+%25285%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1198" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsxg63GqUhdDhysSPn7pTrBU6e5_hu6LvG6npmRoZJRFJPNNipb7UyHdS6sJgIKiiTh5QGdqueSEda9s5i8St3eQelTw4-ET-uWlSlKhu8EqfWBEyT6E1Ty-U4LXWnLv-K5qEumNzVJcI/s400/Scan_20180209+%25285%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Many of the same riders are returning for this event along with some new ones!<br />
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Once again, the riders in the board track will be riding bikes powered by original engines built before 1929. There is also a new 45 Shoot Out Class for 45 ci side valve racers. If all goes well in practice I will be riding my 1921 Harley-Davidson in the early board class.<br />
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Come by and say Hi at the Meet & Greet with the riders starting @ noon.Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-44024351651329025832017-12-22T09:00:00.003-08:002022-01-10T18:33:31.122-08:00Inside Rat Racer - Episode #44<b>By David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@ Mototique Racing</b><div><b>Ocala, Florida<br /></b>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">2017 Sons of Speed Practice @ New Smyrna Speedway</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Jim Dohms - Dohms Creative Photography</span></b></div>
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In the previous episode, I shared some inside details of Billy Lane's Sons of Speed races held @ New Smyrna Speedway during 2017 Daytona Bike Week & Biketoberfest. In this episode, I'll share some of the updates made to my 1921 Harley-Davidson blanked off single cylinder racer, known affectionately as <b>"Rat Racer."</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rat Racer - 1921 Blanked Off Harley-Davidson Single</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Michael Lichter @ 2017 True Grit Vintage Bike Show</span></b></div>
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<b></b><b>Chassis:</b><br />
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Between the Bike Week race, and the Biketoberfest race, the only real changes made to the chassis, were to add a set of brass handlebar risers from Faber Cycle, along with a set of Billy Lanes Choppers Inc. 1" board track handlebars. This allows me to adjust both the handlebar height & angle for comfort.<br />
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I also added a kill button, and a compression release, to the left side of the bars. A Biltwell throttle assembly from J&P Cycles along with a modified stock throttle cable gives a self-closing throttle for safety.<br />
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<b>Motor:</b><br />
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My 21J motor is numbered in the mid 3400s of a total production of 4526 - 1921 Model J 61ci V Twins. It has been blanked off by removing the rear cylinder creating a 30.50ci-500cc single race motor. It uses a 1924 iron piston & rings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n_PBIWOCbWzS4qDYow0tNKD3T31oxx9a1Ujo5IHr0ogTDeQdHei-bjyCxXkSd5kO1jMqDVU9G77u1vvNU0kFnv9CkKbSx7fwYK6iPKGQPDsYKUDL2MuEc6FKBeEsRHQnOqbVzokZA9cl/s1600/rat+left.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n_PBIWOCbWzS4qDYow0tNKD3T31oxx9a1Ujo5IHr0ogTDeQdHei-bjyCxXkSd5kO1jMqDVU9G77u1vvNU0kFnv9CkKbSx7fwYK6iPKGQPDsYKUDL2MuEc6FKBeEsRHQnOqbVzokZA9cl/s400/rat+left.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Left Side</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I shared the basic set up of the bottom end of this motor in Episode #8. The female 21J rod was replaced by 1924-29 model J/JD drilled rod, which is longer than the stock 1921 J model rod.<br />
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFQFFTpU42DAZAEe0iCpopn58dq_1JVq53kX4cJHSShRNU7AjPG7EoAauqic97r9ADvc33-J-iMh_uUFkrcW2WSbh7zQsMX5Tw0gBMNj46lP8rVR3V_kHhBGH5jFttmDZOapTRv4vCuv8/s1600/Truing1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="320" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFQFFTpU42DAZAEe0iCpopn58dq_1JVq53kX4cJHSShRNU7AjPG7EoAauqic97r9ADvc33-J-iMh_uUFkrcW2WSbh7zQsMX5Tw0gBMNj46lP8rVR3V_kHhBGH5jFttmDZOapTRv4vCuv8/s400/Truing1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
The longer rod had another advantage. While not changing the motor's stroke dimension, it does push the piston up to with 1/16" of the top <b>(photo below) </b>of the cylinder bore at top dead center. The stock 21J rod stops piston travel about 3/8" below to top of the cylinder bore, which greatly limits the compression ratio and performance. The longer late model rod solves that problem.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvpznK57jPjp7ZiBKHxWYS0jZdl9cZJ_TWp4lShlTnEo42-GmFrz1WCDVLsx1VAtC2W7ZO1yxuVExOlEDwRF1fGteuOUQAJW5WA5UmQrkISt7FPHpin0GEbtU3mt6VhRKjV_-tg75sbN2/s1600/Rat+intake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvpznK57jPjp7ZiBKHxWYS0jZdl9cZJ_TWp4lShlTnEo42-GmFrz1WCDVLsx1VAtC2W7ZO1yxuVExOlEDwRF1fGteuOUQAJW5WA5UmQrkISt7FPHpin0GEbtU3mt6VhRKjV_-tg75sbN2/s400/Rat+intake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Through the Intake Valve Pocket</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Exhaust valve at the top, Piston Crown at the bottom</span></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am currently running a standard 21J - 4 lobe cam, with a set of modified cam followers for a blanked off single found by Terry Marsh. I hope to have one of Matt Walksler's race cams installed for the next race.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnuQhNa1BxRqA4iePpOn32nnwIN_WwGhpNS4tKf6i0bOFGUIPY0AvsDpwAhjB6yykoFeaiDcTsAY0GS0vCdNAp_9waKiF4m-jewW1rE16gLToyWJnodxTZSh_sVhqZF1OO_8lWoMaPtsF/s1600/Cam+Chest.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnuQhNa1BxRqA4iePpOn32nnwIN_WwGhpNS4tKf6i0bOFGUIPY0AvsDpwAhjB6yykoFeaiDcTsAY0GS0vCdNAp_9waKiF4m-jewW1rE16gLToyWJnodxTZSh_sVhqZF1OO_8lWoMaPtsF/s400/Cam+Chest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Standard 21J Cam with Modified Cam Followers</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Intake:</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
My motor uses a standard 21J Intake Pocket, which has been slightly ported to remove the sharp edges, which impede gas flow. It has a stock intake valve, with a 1923-29 conical intake spring & collar supplied by Competition Distributing. The Intake valve spring is shimmed 40 thousands of an inch to increase spring pressure. A stock exhaust valve was used, along with a stock style exhaust valve spring also from Competition distributing. I am in the process of replacing the exhaust valve spring with a heavier spring from Matt Walksler of Period Modified.<br />
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgJNmbZu4YsGdvDNf0UMjBOfhPHq9jaa_ZSF0d83npq6u_MJa0cPbpnImt-szN5vk2-Fqo53Lg9Idbw8ioIYKcR8GzHikKkwL6gsPYKVR5PVEpbDI54_MuyOvHs4y1VsHYFisg98cR63N/s1600/Intake+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgJNmbZu4YsGdvDNf0UMjBOfhPHq9jaa_ZSF0d83npq6u_MJa0cPbpnImt-szN5vk2-Fqo53Lg9Idbw8ioIYKcR8GzHikKkwL6gsPYKVR5PVEpbDI54_MuyOvHs4y1VsHYFisg98cR63N/s1600/Intake+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Hood Intake Tower - Left 1923 Conical Spring Vented Intake Tower - Right</span></b></td></tr>
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<b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
I have two different intake towers I've used. One is aftermarket prototype make by George Hood, and the other is a later model vented tower for the conical spring. Both towers use the ball end JDH style intake push rod. </div>
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<br /></div>
<b>Carburetion:</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carburetion has been the single biggest challenge of this project. I went through several period Schebler & Linkert carburetors, with little success, and one carburetor fire. Most were for twin cylinder bikes and could not be leaned down enough to perform well through the whole throttle range.<br />
<br />
When I toured Billy Lane's Choppers Inc. and examined his Sons of Speed racers, I found he was using modern carburetors, so I decided to give them a try. The first Mikuni VM32mm was too large and lacked mid-range performance. I then settled on a round slide Mikuni VM26-606 carburetor setup for a small bore 4 stroke dirt bike.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xpFSlBOE8LDMWie0pihYqv_4DoP3d-P9AGKn9zdxFugjtEOUNreeVm1TLN0MDCO4g3BMiF9vQ9h4F2OUK4SuJfXnJJpwZDV-7qpXbP1sDYwVv4FsJcvErkyWu_FkOuw8XHsx2lhcmKtT/s1600/26+Mikuni+Setup.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="514" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xpFSlBOE8LDMWie0pihYqv_4DoP3d-P9AGKn9zdxFugjtEOUNreeVm1TLN0MDCO4g3BMiF9vQ9h4F2OUK4SuJfXnJJpwZDV-7qpXbP1sDYwVv4FsJcvErkyWu_FkOuw8XHsx2lhcmKtT/s400/26+Mikuni+Setup.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Rubber Mounted Mikuni VM26-606 with K&N Air Filter</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
While tuning is still a work in progress, the current carburetor specs are:<br />
<br />
<b> 190 main jet, 22.5 pilot jet, Air Screw 1.2 turns out, 1.5 slide, O-O Needle Jet, 5E75 Needle on the middle notch.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
With this setup, the motor starts easily, idles smoothly, picks up rpm, when the ignition is advanced, and pulls well through the rev range. The carburetor is rubber mounted with a piece of high temp water hose and has a K&N air filter installed.<br />
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<b>Lubrication:</b><br />
<b></b></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The stock 21J cast gear case cover/oil pump was replaced with the stamped steel gear case cover/cast oil pump introduced in late 1922.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPrZkkXTvf0-54hB0C0MYd5ngJgTywt-XPA5SbuBaR9RLt2GIDLysyqNS3EF0BU05zC-owOQ8nieSUOMOBIZH-SWZTicNcFsgzvBqM4M1A-pehZclt4XQot8sZEzPSl1X9u4RVnpxTMWl/s1600/Rat+Motor.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1088" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPrZkkXTvf0-54hB0C0MYd5ngJgTywt-XPA5SbuBaR9RLt2GIDLysyqNS3EF0BU05zC-owOQ8nieSUOMOBIZH-SWZTicNcFsgzvBqM4M1A-pehZclt4XQot8sZEzPSl1X9u4RVnpxTMWl/s400/Rat+Motor.JPG" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">1922 Stamped Steel Gear Case Cover & Cast Oil Pump</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Ignition:</b><br />
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I have used a total loss battery powered ignition system for many years now. It used a 1925 timing case with original points, powered by a small 12-volt Security System sealed battery. My most recent update was to replace the original points with a Gotronic Electronic Ignition. The points were replaced by a magnetic sensor, that triggers a small control box. A Dyna 12 Volt Single Wire Coil provides the spark. Ignition timing is set with the timer at full advance 9/16" - 40 degrees Before Top Dead Center. The small green LED light on the top of the control box signals the triggering of the ignition as the timing lobe passes the sensor.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7u57B5jYURzYxcODaWjN5r1MbWUrAjDytIBcej22wafK1GMJTel8UosOSx5XHn2TssV3AQn8gKDSLViFlbQcLwM9C_HQH_IWjKpuUZReeFM02bGZRPuEujRhtD_pFDWAqF8EZ_5NqQLY/s1600/Gotronic+Ignition.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7u57B5jYURzYxcODaWjN5r1MbWUrAjDytIBcej22wafK1GMJTel8UosOSx5XHn2TssV3AQn8gKDSLViFlbQcLwM9C_HQH_IWjKpuUZReeFM02bGZRPuEujRhtD_pFDWAqF8EZ_5NqQLY/s400/Gotronic+Ignition.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Modified 1925 Timer & Gotronic Ignition Control Box</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
These are the modifications I've used over the past few years. All seem to have worked out well on the street & track, so far! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A short ignition test video below: </b></div>
<b></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzucAhnvH5sD9KiovO220frTku4ZC0A2iGeRVv30HRXntxQg2stpyerMG-Ec93RhMrn8Ro2PJWgjYCC6PpreQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Epilogue: </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>For the 2019 Races, I switched to a more period Linkert<b> </b>M741 carburetor, which features both High and Low Speed mixture adjustment. Works great!</div>
<b></b><b></b><br />
<div>
<b>Suppliers:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Biltwell Inc. - J&P Cycles Destination Daytona - Ormond Beach, Florida</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Choppers Inc. - Billy Lane - Daytona Beach, Florida</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Competition Distributing - Sturgis, South Dakota</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Gotronic Ignitions - Gelu Olaru - Romania</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b></b></div>
<div>
<b>Period Modified - Matt Walksler - Waynesville, North Carolina</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Terry Marsh - Klamath Falls, Oregon</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<br /></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-60825547167225668532017-05-19T13:17:00.003-07:002022-01-10T18:00:26.225-08:00Behind the Scenes @ Sons of Speed 2017 - Episode #43<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@ Mototique Racing</b><div><b>Ocala, Florida<br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Updated: September 22, 2017</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Author's Note:</b><br />
<b><br />
Billy Lane</b>, and the <b>Sons of Speed Racers</b>, return to the New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday October 21, 2017, during Daytona Biketoberfest. Come out and see the <b>Sons & Daughters of Speed!</b><br />
<b></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODltV9JEROcXS0U5SLBrz3ZnD4lcLigWhl2KdRC-KxFp0J4K6LkHjyIU6DAKXwFpbAoFLpRc-97A43ExzuVQkvZjb6f8IPMAaR154ymU_Cbo-rJT6Qx0jnA83IF4EX5K60OPDk5-6UsqN/s1600/Billy+Lane+SOS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="750" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODltV9JEROcXS0U5SLBrz3ZnD4lcLigWhl2KdRC-KxFp0J4K6LkHjyIU6DAKXwFpbAoFLpRc-97A43ExzuVQkvZjb6f8IPMAaR154ymU_Cbo-rJT6Qx0jnA83IF4EX5K60OPDk5-6UsqN/s400/Billy+Lane+SOS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Billy Lane @ New Smyrna Speedway in March 2017</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I first threw a leg over a dirt bike in the early 70s, I have been blessed to have taken part in many exciting motorcycle adventures; but in March, I had an opportunity to play a small part in one I will never forget. <br />
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4TZVaJdI5HO0HEkKYt_O4Jrmy1VabYH-7MthTji6wxPatpv9F361-pKtsReh13to9Di0KXFjywUqVEKiL7ck5HfRUV6JEqMG1qCOxAl_vNtFx4lwneGJ2XHKpI5zOWjASGnj-M_rppMl/s1600/Scan+72.jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4TZVaJdI5HO0HEkKYt_O4Jrmy1VabYH-7MthTji6wxPatpv9F361-pKtsReh13to9Di0KXFjywUqVEKiL7ck5HfRUV6JEqMG1qCOxAl_vNtFx4lwneGJ2XHKpI5zOWjASGnj-M_rppMl/s400/Scan+72.jpeg.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
Like most of the folks, who play with old racing bikes, I had heard of Billy Lane of Choppers Inc. plans to hold a race for recreated board track racers and had followed his photo posts of the racers he was building but knew little of the details for the actual race. When I left my place in Alabama, headed down to Florida for Daytona Bike Week, I was determined to make it to the event. I offered my services as a wrench to American Iron Magazine publisher, Buzz Kanter, who was entered in the race, and he graciously accepted. This was the beginning of a grand adventure!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GX8Td0mSVSUoUdGPkXbb3_Z4Fxk8lH9Nwe5RSYgbsgemysW6lEAm-SS-Es29AfqpSOjLi0KVmJ9y2LZ4vpgmE2PVN_lZbZam4ql1XfuiQSHoa3NwyEjzY3hTQWufqwEl_x1Dyyr_ZqVF/s1600/Team+AI.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GX8Td0mSVSUoUdGPkXbb3_Z4Fxk8lH9Nwe5RSYgbsgemysW6lEAm-SS-Es29AfqpSOjLi0KVmJ9y2LZ4vpgmE2PVN_lZbZam4ql1XfuiQSHoa3NwyEjzY3hTQWufqwEl_x1Dyyr_ZqVF/s400/Team+AI.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Team American Iron @ Sons of Speed</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Jim Dohms</span></b></td></tr>
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On the Sunday before the race, I took Rat Racer, my 1921 Harley-Davidson racer to the True Grit Motorcycle Show @ Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnLWaCzqunTQ0ew58SdGGQE9vopp5bvcb1gCBwGDbhPBf5f-0qmkr12BZAlhM_dMolLNsxkFCWYYUvX0Rr9FZti-Wn2HTHrXAIQmRZmh8p3tssNQXjwLk3hEIyKg5lhvuG7D2nh3d8Z3e/s1600/True+grit+poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnLWaCzqunTQ0ew58SdGGQE9vopp5bvcb1gCBwGDbhPBf5f-0qmkr12BZAlhM_dMolLNsxkFCWYYUvX0Rr9FZti-Wn2HTHrXAIQmRZmh8p3tssNQXjwLk3hEIyKg5lhvuG7D2nh3d8Z3e/s400/True+grit+poster.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<br />
When we arrived at the show, Warren Lane, Billy's brother, had his Atomic Metalsmith's 1917 Indian Sons of Speed racer on display. I parked my bike next to Warren's bike, and left my buddy Joe Niles to watch it, while I went to park the truck and trailer. When I returned, Joe told me Warren had invited us to take part in a Sons of Speed closed practice session on Wednesday @ New Smyrna Speedway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqANH8sZY4iyFm1dCniJzv4uduJJtChfRgkOjMqMZ69TpGW3xO6JAP6RLz8LYmRIwqe7Dz3u4NuOHo9fQU9_pg_a2aRzi0SJeB3lVLdM9Ur0PjbIgPlKnhJ9kn-zKkuFzRJbEcQnBTjmpg/s1600/259.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqANH8sZY4iyFm1dCniJzv4uduJJtChfRgkOjMqMZ69TpGW3xO6JAP6RLz8LYmRIwqe7Dz3u4NuOHo9fQU9_pg_a2aRzi0SJeB3lVLdM9Ur0PjbIgPlKnhJ9kn-zKkuFzRJbEcQnBTjmpg/s400/259.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rat Racer & Warren Lane's 1917 Indian Racer</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">@True Grit Vintage Bike Show</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Jack Mcintyre</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3xNbBfgaPe9GEzQ6U3s_jqIiO2BldxuWLoWsfEr9bQLI73gpoTwX907hKMka1MWnyJwsiHvbDkNk29PEHHxvu6_KRF_MjWxp4FrCnowxLCQeu4l2FX8Ao7hkG3YdEkaKPj-CaWUqv1T9/s1600/17634406_1466076313449079_2831378577691077840_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3xNbBfgaPe9GEzQ6U3s_jqIiO2BldxuWLoWsfEr9bQLI73gpoTwX907hKMka1MWnyJwsiHvbDkNk29PEHHxvu6_KRF_MjWxp4FrCnowxLCQeu4l2FX8Ao7hkG3YdEkaKPj-CaWUqv1T9/s400/17634406_1466076313449079_2831378577691077840_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Buzz on Rat Racer @ the True Grit Show</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Deadly Dave</span></b></div>
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The chance to ride my old racer on a modern half mile banked speedway, was just too big a temptation. My buddy, John Melin volunteered to go along, and help me with my bike, and he also ended up on Buzz's Team. <br />
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With much effort, I squeezed my big grit eating butt into my old race leathers, and hit the track, for the first time since the mid 90s. Riding a bike with tall skinny tires, a 96-year-old engine, maybe 8-horsepower, no suspension, brakes, or tranny, is a very different experience, but something I will never forget!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N_OB6ikr1kfzHNKoEtbCjLXUGnVfywwlyPHZZtM5KM6rfkmVRh0q93dBkFUsNGSnXpjDnVaM0AgA7BrqFJuDoEmjaw-U6_L_cgz-WfWALdbs0HG5NiWwBQuyVv94Bq7tjP0GJdSDr76F/s1600/IMG_9456.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N_OB6ikr1kfzHNKoEtbCjLXUGnVfywwlyPHZZtM5KM6rfkmVRh0q93dBkFUsNGSnXpjDnVaM0AgA7BrqFJuDoEmjaw-U6_L_cgz-WfWALdbs0HG5NiWwBQuyVv94Bq7tjP0GJdSDr76F/s400/IMG_9456.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rhett, Buzz, Paul, and Dave</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: John Melin</span></b></div>
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After I came in from a few laps, Buzz arrived with his bike. A careful inspection revealed a problem with the rear wheel, and we jumped into action to get it fixed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFJOx6llONKyLH6fkAeeRDKSoZIY-L64hD_idol-7DrwTpdvbljxlufdvNiCXSTXF3eUsqCSmsgpPnnFvzQt0ucwsUjtnf1NoOWEkxm1kg50yy9lBE0nxjXSmeBpvIDYOtY9sy8gO9k14/s1600/IMG_9447.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFJOx6llONKyLH6fkAeeRDKSoZIY-L64hD_idol-7DrwTpdvbljxlufdvNiCXSTXF3eUsqCSmsgpPnnFvzQt0ucwsUjtnf1NoOWEkxm1kg50yy9lBE0nxjXSmeBpvIDYOtY9sy8gO9k14/s400/IMG_9447.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Buzz's Rear Wheel Minus Two Sprocket Studs</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: John Melin</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrerwP3oTdkMEghIrQIPs5Q0D0zncj-mcxVwA6TJ8AFVscdoYDJEREegFfgZDTGDp5s17u3e3ZJENcrulWC6PvwzhH_ncS97caGt3jc1TW34Vk5l6waiXbEBzYK3FA63G5AeAOYUQ-xT7/s1600/17796546_1466076190115758_6362400958780513931_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrerwP3oTdkMEghIrQIPs5Q0D0zncj-mcxVwA6TJ8AFVscdoYDJEREegFfgZDTGDp5s17u3e3ZJENcrulWC6PvwzhH_ncS97caGt3jc1TW34Vk5l6waiXbEBzYK3FA63G5AeAOYUQ-xT7/s400/17796546_1466076190115758_6362400958780513931_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Buzz, Jim, and John remove the rear wheel</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Deadly Dave</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_1ZangDVHaYtQHCLAHVLVqGpBSakDIOQJfVJqohOrRCDXDdLZ-3KOmggNBN5muv9E2VzlxAG2KSz6zsYZ5Y2Og0Kqp1Crs5HRg05cjdVBzd2Nelfr2ePaxJSPNxljnv6A0mHMaCkgjWQ/s1600/IMG_9450.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_1ZangDVHaYtQHCLAHVLVqGpBSakDIOQJfVJqohOrRCDXDdLZ-3KOmggNBN5muv9E2VzlxAG2KSz6zsYZ5Y2Og0Kqp1Crs5HRg05cjdVBzd2Nelfr2ePaxJSPNxljnv6A0mHMaCkgjWQ/s400/IMG_9450.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rear Wheel Repairs</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: John Melin</span></b></div>
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By Thursday, Buzz's bike was track ready, and Buzz was working up to speed on the track. John, and I needed to stay in Ocala Thursday, and take care of family obligations. We returned on Friday for the practice day. All went well until the final practice session, when Rhett Rotten went down hard coming out of turn 4. Rhett was pretty banged up, with a couple of cracked ribs. Buzz came into the pits, and I noticed his front tire was nearly flat. Turned out there was a missing rim strip, and the clincher rim had cut the tube causing a slow leak. John grabbed his giant roll of duct tape, and a new tube, the front tire was soon fixed. The rear wheel was found to have the same problem and was also repaired.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz4U9Td5Kd6ljrbETJi2uVlpVihyphenhyphenXmHNBiyQS7l77wciCuOvFyS-G5Te_2mkzyS5hCGKZ3YsdxovS9nDqvdzFAfYRCNkiCtAwyIcVbesHrSPUnjjNk0orMnKOrHeNNUzdh_QVKyYE6uSG/s1600/SOS+AI.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz4U9Td5Kd6ljrbETJi2uVlpVihyphenhyphenXmHNBiyQS7l77wciCuOvFyS-G5Te_2mkzyS5hCGKZ3YsdxovS9nDqvdzFAfYRCNkiCtAwyIcVbesHrSPUnjjNk0orMnKOrHeNNUzdh_QVKyYE6uSG/s400/SOS+AI.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Dave warms up the #15 Team American Iron Racer</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Amy Jacques</span></b></div>
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By race day, I found myself drafted to assist with event scoring. Thanks to a great group of volunteers, who stepped in at the last moment, the event took place without a serious incident.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa9yh24cfnNNN3HfEZhMGsOKm2zBEKBmSXMJcafrhx8LdGQFBxrS6C9ta1fXspCibXW5yqFthcSIV0XwJoSwrKFDxv9XsrTg2_wNTvMQu4-ZR24oL6cE3IT6B19xqcDYB1tRNtaXmr-AO/s1600/17390629_1832219237042964_2181070601456982844_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFa9yh24cfnNNN3HfEZhMGsOKm2zBEKBmSXMJcafrhx8LdGQFBxrS6C9ta1fXspCibXW5yqFthcSIV0XwJoSwrKFDxv9XsrTg2_wNTvMQu4-ZR24oL6cE3IT6B19xqcDYB1tRNtaXmr-AO/s400/17390629_1832219237042964_2181070601456982844_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Flagging & Scoring</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Amy Jacques</span></b></div>
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Buzz went out and won the first Sons of Speed heat race on his Team American Iron 1915 Harley-Davidson.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe1jSpW1mYsB9ax9sxBlJnHyWudn-NwtlhYZd326QibubSKQM028GjpQ_fVAen-2hF1x2_u6Q2nQGXXF8dsm7XpkSaThDAry6sPHKjHMN4sgfKLOkIOJwj36CGrrNfX3hEy_d8vN1F-qm/s1600/Buzz+Takes+the+lead..jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe1jSpW1mYsB9ax9sxBlJnHyWudn-NwtlhYZd326QibubSKQM028GjpQ_fVAen-2hF1x2_u6Q2nQGXXF8dsm7XpkSaThDAry6sPHKjHMN4sgfKLOkIOJwj36CGrrNfX3hEy_d8vN1F-qm/s400/Buzz+Takes+the+lead..jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">#15 Buzz Kanter takes the lead from #1 Billy Lane </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Sons of Speed Heat #1</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTu1zjbNqSHvbiJJc13HDbOvqQleCErG-GxsAiyIw7pYyz-lG4eDHvYwC91hLvcynW4ciKWeXrjKW3BWWe4qAi4JpLpSH3rRlkfAFADrmdzLCZ_RsOALCCvsGffWoWHfgeftdmtk8Tjqa/s1600/SOS+1st+Heat.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTu1zjbNqSHvbiJJc13HDbOvqQleCErG-GxsAiyIw7pYyz-lG4eDHvYwC91hLvcynW4ciKWeXrjKW3BWWe4qAi4JpLpSH3rRlkfAFADrmdzLCZ_RsOALCCvsGffWoWHfgeftdmtk8Tjqa/s400/SOS+1st+Heat.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The race finale came down to a battle between young Brittany Olsen on her 20th Century Racing 1923 Harley-Davidson, and Matt Harris on his 40 Caliber Customs 1923 Harley-Davidson. Brittany took the checkered flag first followed by Matt, with Shelly Rossmeyer-Pepe third, and Buzz Kanter 4th.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWTR_fr43CnD7-J8Qm26gxU_nXX350I8D9-kNfP5B5m-lP1X-CLgCc6UWNeOtsfjgKwC6w2WIOlKwfTA1ijolEzqeiVWBVwCmNysHDcWTE2YvZW9WFNNLg12CcugV-5BZpFs9eKnZ6ZNy/s1600/17760049_1466076143449096_1342750382274846725_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWTR_fr43CnD7-J8Qm26gxU_nXX350I8D9-kNfP5B5m-lP1X-CLgCc6UWNeOtsfjgKwC6w2WIOlKwfTA1ijolEzqeiVWBVwCmNysHDcWTE2YvZW9WFNNLg12CcugV-5BZpFs9eKnZ6ZNy/s400/17760049_1466076143449096_1342750382274846725_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Sons of Speed Winner Brittany Olsen</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">20th Century Racing 1923 Harley-Davidson</span></b></div>
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<div>
This event was covered by the motorcycling press from around the world, and I will let them fill you in on all the personalities involved, and numerous twists & turns throughout the event. Thank you to Billy Lane for sharing you dream with all of us!</div>
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<b>More behind the scenes photos of Team American Iron @ Sons of Speed:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOGRnjIBC4X1BnLVQdfLWRLB9g6Vle1p8OilrXycbbuoA3qpBVDA2LtVD4jWuEInx3EVOQmvlEMBlLgUze9UHgk5Q7PwYCxiTQlQGcWmszjVu5W6JlIvgpbtFFu512uH_T2bYRE1bUGDL/s1600/17807297_1749169718707644_3000134270737060796_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOGRnjIBC4X1BnLVQdfLWRLB9g6Vle1p8OilrXycbbuoA3qpBVDA2LtVD4jWuEInx3EVOQmvlEMBlLgUze9UHgk5Q7PwYCxiTQlQGcWmszjVu5W6JlIvgpbtFFu512uH_T2bYRE1bUGDL/s400/17807297_1749169718707644_3000134270737060796_o.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Buzz</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Jim Dohms</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1qcCSO798icqkPKr5tJ7gjbOTLEyXapeFfi6shfet5nvlrCctbqJ0dxuGNKGOmLcC0iGLM5BPDlF8aNC1pq-udQ-v4trfzdcF1O8nRAru4Q3yBxeKGEYP5mkTN05XHT_ziJ13KS41SB1/s1600/17523532_1466076136782430_9110859907288538978_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1qcCSO798icqkPKr5tJ7gjbOTLEyXapeFfi6shfet5nvlrCctbqJ0dxuGNKGOmLcC0iGLM5BPDlF8aNC1pq-udQ-v4trfzdcF1O8nRAru4Q3yBxeKGEYP5mkTN05XHT_ziJ13KS41SB1/s320/17523532_1466076136782430_9110859907288538978_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Dave & Buzz</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Jim Dohms</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wnOmnddf0xaXaCEXxYxBdYnD5cVi7t42L8s28Y7zEKF5fFvfZD0_4dKcpa_LXDFWy_jVBZbBIy4qAfItCouN69wnyX2fZLKEQAOVXJ76vQ7MV7z2a3I6_HXgDZUuaaaY9sVeiaD3ERDO/s1600/582.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wnOmnddf0xaXaCEXxYxBdYnD5cVi7t42L8s28Y7zEKF5fFvfZD0_4dKcpa_LXDFWy_jVBZbBIy4qAfItCouN69wnyX2fZLKEQAOVXJ76vQ7MV7z2a3I6_HXgDZUuaaaY9sVeiaD3ERDO/s400/582.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Unidentified Videographer & Dave</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Buzz & Paul Ousley</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Jim Dohms</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Buzz & John</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo Credit: Jim Dohms</span></b></div>
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<strike></strike></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com03939 Florida 44, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168, USA29.0136715 -81.069820999999993.4916370000000008 -122.37841499999999 54.535706000000005 -39.761226999999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-66236991263893929372017-05-17T08:43:00.001-07:002018-11-22T09:00:02.527-08:00Press Release #8 Good Rides Journal - Sons of Speed<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@Mototique</b><br />
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A big thank you to Terry Quesnel, and the folks @ Ocala's Good Rides Journal for including a photo of my 1921 Harley-Davidson racer in their article on Billy' Lane's Sons of Speed race held @ New Smyrna Speedway during Daytona Bike Week.<br />
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You can check out Good Rides Journal on Facebook @ </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoodRidesJournal">Good Rides Journal on Facebook:</a></div>
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Here's Terry's article on the race: </div>
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<br />Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-287857852529772952017-02-21T15:44:00.327-08:002022-01-19T07:16:35.831-08:00Racing Comes to the Big Easy - Episode #45<div><b>January 18, 2022</b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Ocala, Florida<br /></b>
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As a young man growing up in the South, I've heard countless tales of drunken debauchery centered around the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, affectionately known as "The Big Easy." The Mardi Gras celebrations in the Crescent City go back to the 1730s. So, you might ask, what does that have to do with early motorcycle racing. Turns out it may be more than you think.<br />
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<div>It appears from press accounts that the first motorcycle race to be held in New Orleans was scheduled for September 28, 1902, at the Athletic Park Stadium at the intersection Tulane Avenue and Scott Street in the Mid-City District of the City.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiszjK2t4I_zLAyzn48t0vJ_b_mNlk5q_4-iAUZhfX_3OnNmSedjENH88fyFziFCgQEWLeTPJ5qd02hmbKN-OaF1tHXy-o03yBoby5tpPoMgRxJBvMarmqdDHipYLncW6u6zyfkL_Vv6eAIvaYzXEw_k_ffcwzgJ8DehabCNBoegpD8llpmA_OdPtlfbQ=s881" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="781" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiszjK2t4I_zLAyzn48t0vJ_b_mNlk5q_4-iAUZhfX_3OnNmSedjENH88fyFziFCgQEWLeTPJ5qd02hmbKN-OaF1tHXy-o03yBoby5tpPoMgRxJBvMarmqdDHipYLncW6u6zyfkL_Vv6eAIvaYzXEw_k_ffcwzgJ8DehabCNBoegpD8llpmA_OdPtlfbQ=w355-h400" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>New Orleans Time-Democrat - September 28, 1902<br /><br /></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div>This is very early for an American motorcycle race as Indian Motocycle had only been founded in 1901, and Harley-Davidson would not be founded until 1903. It is unclear if the race took place, as the results were not covered in the local press.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the early 1908, New Orleans had two one-mile dirt oval horse tracks. One was located in City Park, and the other was located at the Fairgrounds. Both tracks hosted horse racing, and betting on the results was a common occurrence. Over the years, horse racing was seen by many of New Orleans' more devout residents as a corrupting force, full of gamblers, loan sharks, and other unsavory characters. In 1908, the Louisiana Legislature passed the Locke Law banning horse racing in the State for 5 years. With their livelihood threatened, the track operators looked for another use for their facilities.</div><div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Diagram of the New Orleans Fairgrounds Racetrack </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">On this site since 1852</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">New Orleans Jazz Fest</span></b></div>
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Automobiles were becoming more common, and the sport of automobile racing was gaining nationwide popularity, so the track operators decided to stage an Automobile Speed Carnival at the Fairgrounds racetrack on during the Banner Day celebrations in November 1908. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The New Orleans, LA. Times-Democrat - November 7, 190<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>
As part of the Carnival, the promoters included a match motorcycle race between professional racers Russ Smith, and Arthur Redfern. They would ride special five-, and seven-cylinder motorcycles. These special bikes were probably built around modified automobile engines.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Times-Democrat - October 23, 1908<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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On November 7, 1908, Russ Smith, and Arthur Redfern, raced around the one mile for track five laps. Redfern came across the finish line as the winner of New Orleans' first professional motorcycle race. The event received national coverage in the motorcycling press of the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Motorcycle Illustrated - December 1, 1908</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Times-Democrat - November 8, 1908<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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In 1909, New Orleans decided to hold the Speed Carnival at the Fairgrounds in conjunction with the annual Mardi Gras celebrations. It does not appear that motorcycles would be included in the Mardi Gras Speed Carnival for 1910, but by November there were plans for a winter professional racing series at the City Park racetrack.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - November 12, 1910</span></b></td></tr>
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For the 1911, Mardi Gras Speed Carnival, it was announced that two motorcycle races would also be run each day of the carnival. Not only would there be motorcycle racing, but top racers from throughout the country would be competing in the carnival at the Fairgrounds racetrack. <br />
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Among the racers entering the races was New Orleans native son, Arthur Mitchell, who would be competing in the carnival at the Fairgrounds racetrack. Mitchell was one of the top races in the South and was making a name for himself riding Flying Merkel racers on dirt, and board tracks around the country. This would be his chance to race in front of a hometown crowd.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wtrIl0qI7tjgAI1CTOV_pbZK9TsNPKs-aPH9-UamNLhOkMBANHiPBP41nh6xuiDluN_uVMD3mvsT9DJowCtLXqIJH_s_mcXON31FnEME91gze69ZxJprIk_6L83_TozVZt4HHQaQNyu0/s1600/Arthur+Mitchell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wtrIl0qI7tjgAI1CTOV_pbZK9TsNPKs-aPH9-UamNLhOkMBANHiPBP41nh6xuiDluN_uVMD3mvsT9DJowCtLXqIJH_s_mcXON31FnEME91gze69ZxJprIk_6L83_TozVZt4HHQaQNyu0/s400/Arthur+Mitchell.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Arthur Mitchell of New Orleans, LA. with his Flying Merkel Racer</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Price @ Archive Moto</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
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Mitchells' chief competitor for the title of Southern Racing Champion, was Robert Stubbs of Birmingham, Alabama. Stubbs was a member of the Indian Motocycle Racing team that set numerous speed records for Indian at the 1909 Ormond Beach, Florida Speed Carnival.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-2d5ld0z7BmFjwSGa6aOFC4sEvOi7GN2YWzKPg0srza4aJ5ZMVNX6vRYJG0OjfXvgfGP731O18b5dK3QMElDDxv_U_DFJGTsJ8OWuWiu9JLzEfp7nCs1CmY5mOkDAesrkA0SejnkxqmI/s1600/11655671_10100713088507422_1918071491_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-2d5ld0z7BmFjwSGa6aOFC4sEvOi7GN2YWzKPg0srza4aJ5ZMVNX6vRYJG0OjfXvgfGP731O18b5dK3QMElDDxv_U_DFJGTsJ8OWuWiu9JLzEfp7nCs1CmY5mOkDAesrkA0SejnkxqmI/s400/11655671_10100713088507422_1918071491_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Robert Stubbs - New Orleans, LA. Fairgrounds Racetrack 1911</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Price @ Archive Moto</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
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Athur Chapple of Boston, Massachusetts was an established national racing star and a former Indian teammate of Robert Stubbs at the 1909 Ormond Beach Speed Carnival.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOee-9jDbLahxzzXS8bwo1yyru60C4nn146xmtc8Y98ERoQA-FSfb_wlDdC5WYH73uRPe7E4o0XqhRlj6bXpS9AcBogHkfenXGPi8I39h5HXtFBpJUtaXgh6z8HRvawJwA7sZ3tzRTqL0/s1600/Chapple+1909.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOee-9jDbLahxzzXS8bwo1yyru60C4nn146xmtc8Y98ERoQA-FSfb_wlDdC5WYH73uRPe7E4o0XqhRlj6bXpS9AcBogHkfenXGPi8I39h5HXtFBpJUtaXgh6z8HRvawJwA7sZ3tzRTqL0/s400/Chapple+1909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Arthur Chapple - Ormond Beach, FL. 1909</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Price 2 Archive Moto</span></b></div>
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Eddie Hasha, a young man from Waco, Texas was an up-and-coming star in the professional motorcycle racing. Known as the "Texas Cyclone", Hasha had defeated Bob Stubbs in a 1910 race in Waco, on a Harley-Davidson racer lent to Hasha by Harley-Davidson co-founder Arthur Davidson.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-sDUKLwP5y-re2TNgw_iOYHDpzkHXrNsYj4pmUNqd0r0B4oo1iIvIutA4gztsYAMyj6rhPnjYJ73VoHawP63x7W9PSgJbDIi27RVCYPgARceSgvbqhnil_hAlMB93x0Yy6zcsaVPGhoY/s1600/EddieHashaNewark.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-sDUKLwP5y-re2TNgw_iOYHDpzkHXrNsYj4pmUNqd0r0B4oo1iIvIutA4gztsYAMyj6rhPnjYJ73VoHawP63x7W9PSgJbDIi27RVCYPgARceSgvbqhnil_hAlMB93x0Yy6zcsaVPGhoY/s400/EddieHashaNewark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Eddie "The Texas Cyclone" Hasha </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Price @ Archive Moto</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
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The upcoming Mardi Gras motorcycle races received plenty of coverage in the local newspapers.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">The Times-Democrat - January 1, 1911</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">New Orleans native son, Arthur Mitchell, was the first of the motorcycle race competitors to have his photo in The Times-Democrat on January 1, 1911. Others soon followed.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Times-Democrat - January 18, 1911</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">The Times-Democrat - February 6, 1911</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Shreveport, Louisiana Times included an article on the upcoming event at New Orleans Mardi Gras in their February 11, 1911, edition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The upcoming Mardi Gras races also received coverage in the national motorcycling press. The January 28, 1911, edition of Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review reported Arthur Chapple had sailed from New York to New Orleans with a couple of racing machines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The February 18, 1911, edition of The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review reported that the Fairgrounds racetrack had received state of the art timing equipment. The article also featured a photo of New Orleans racer Val Jensen on his Indian racer.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The Times-Democrat - February 17, 1911</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">New Orleans, LA. Herald - February 23, 1911</span></b></td></tr>
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<br /></div><div>1912, would bring about the end of professional motorcycle races in the Big Easy. With the competitors reaching 100 miles per hour, just feet from spectators, it was only a matter of time before disaster struck. That happened on September 8, 1912, at the Valisburg Motordrome in Newark, New Jersey, As reported in the New Orleans Times-Democrat the horrendous accident killed Eddie Hasha, and another rider. The motorcycles were hurdled into the crowd killing six spectators and injuring numerous others. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihuV3-bQhHREmK5EIb1V2_YVvI7A51QNXlCYork8LD_aCaRSBH9arzCN7rWsW32w2donmfEtaUYXZ2YBANMviQ4YOKyirEflqqdEtgSHBAWITuKqkU-NJWD6L6LnnW4Dn2Z73hxBc003lY6zEitqoB_rlWHlDy3dgsBWdf8NBVKJm65Wa_eLfFp3-W3A=s1569" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihuV3-bQhHREmK5EIb1V2_YVvI7A51QNXlCYork8LD_aCaRSBH9arzCN7rWsW32w2donmfEtaUYXZ2YBANMviQ4YOKyirEflqqdEtgSHBAWITuKqkU-NJWD6L6LnnW4Dn2Z73hxBc003lY6zEitqoB_rlWHlDy3dgsBWdf8NBVKJm65Wa_eLfFp3-W3A=w338-h640" width="338" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Times-Democrat September 9, 1912</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Less than a year later a similar accident happened during a professional motorcycle race at the Lagoon. Motordrome in Ludlow, Kentucky. In this accident, two riders and eight spectators were killed. Flaming gasoline from one of the motorcycle's ruptured fuel tanks doused the crowd burning thirty-five spectators. While these accidents took place on the circular wooden Motordromes, the dirt oval horse tracks had a seen their share of dead riders and spectators over the years. </div><div><br /></div><div>The flurry of lawsuits and criminal prosecutions that followed the Newark and Ludlow accidents may have convinced the local promoters that the risk of prosecution and or financial disaster was too great. While an occasional amateur race would take place in New Orleans professional motorcycle racing ceased. The approach of America's involvement in World War One, would cause a near disaster in the American Motorcycle Industry, as their customers were drafted, and new motorcycles and parts went to the war effort. Motorcycle dealers across the country closed their doors, and racing was curtailed. </div><div><br /></div><div>New Orleans racer Arthur Mitchell went on to become an official of the Federation of American Motorcyclists, which sanctioned amateur and professional motorcycle racing.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>For more information on the tragic Newark and Ludlow accidents see Episode # 19 Motordrome Racing's Darkest Days at the link below:</b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2013/11/motordrome-racings-darkest-days-newark.html">https://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2013/11/motordrome-racings-darkest-days-newark.html</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sources:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Chris Price @Archive Moto</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - Smithsonian Collection</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Motocycle Illustrated</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>New Orleans Herald</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>New Orleans Jazz Fest</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>New Orleans Times-Democrat</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Newspapers.com </b></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-8480142335881865112017-02-21T13:54:00.001-08:002018-11-22T09:02:03.670-08:00Harley-Davidson's First Racer - The 1910 Model 6E Factory Stock Racer - Episode #42<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@Mototique</b><br />
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<b>Updated: November 2017</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Thurman Constable - Union City, Indiana</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - November 26, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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One of the great mysteries of early Harley-Davidson racing history, is the 1910 Model 6E Factory Stock Racer. While Harley-Davidson had been involved with endurance, and reliability competitions from their very beginnings, they had steadfastly avoided direct involvement in the deadly business of professional racing on the early dirt, and board tracks. By 1910, Harley could no longer ignore the value of race wins in driving sales of production motorcycles. With numerous companies offering specialty racing bikes through their dealers to both factory riders, and select privateer racers, there was plenty of competition.<br />
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When the 1910 product line was announced by Harley-Davidson, few people noticed the inclusion of the Model 6E in their lineup, but to a few privateer Harley racers, it would be welcome news. When the 1910 model specifications were listed on a two page spread in the edition January 15, 1910 of Motorcycle illustrated, there was nothing that identified this model as a specialty racer. It was one of five single cylinder belt drive bikes with a rated four horsepower. All featured a 30ci. displacement with either magneto, or battery ignition, and were offered for sale through their network of Harley-Davidson dealers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - January 15, 1910 <br />Page 1 (cropped)</b></span></td></tr>
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The only thing that seemed to separate the Model 6E, from the four other single cylinder models, was a was a list price of $275. This was $25. more than the other single cylinder models.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - January 15, 1910 <br />Page 2 (cropped)</b></span></td></tr>
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But word was already tricking down through Harley's dealers, who were involved in racing that help was on it's way. Within Harley-Davidson the new model was referred to as Model 6E - Factory Stock Racer, 30ci F Head Single.<br />
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In April, 1910 the new racer made it's first foray to the winner circle on the 1/3 mile banked dirt oval tack Tuileries Park dirt track in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Harley-Davidson dealer, and privateer racer, Walter Whiting, rode one of the new racers to a win in the Five Mile Amateur Race for Stock Machines. The event results were published in the April 16, 1910 edition of Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review, however Whiting was miss-identified as "J. Whiting" in the article.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bicycling World & Motorcycle Review - April 16, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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On Decoration Day 1910, a grueling 112 Mile Road Race was held from from Denver to Greeley, Colorado that was open to both amateur, and professional riders. Walter Whiting, again grabbed the spotlight finishing first, followed by his business partner, W. S. Wunderle also riding one of the Harley-Davidson dingle cylinder racers. What made this win most noteworthy, was that both Whiting and were amateur riders riding single cylinder machines. Whiting, and Wunderle, beat the top finishing professional rider Joe Wolters time, who rode a twin cylinder Flying Merkel, by just short of ten minutes. The event was covered in an article in both the June 4, 1910 edition of Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review, as well as the June 15, 1910 edition of Motorcycle Illustrated.<br />
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<b>Author's Note: These large articles are more easily read by clicking on the article to enlarge it.</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bicycling World & Motorcycle Review - June 4, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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The Motorcycle Illustrated featured one of the few photographs on the new racers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - June 15, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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Harley-Davidson was quick to tout their victory over an established professional racer on a twin cylinder bike in their advertising. An ad in the June 11, 1910 edition of Bicycling World & Motorcycle Review mentions the wins at both the Tuileries track and the Denver to Greeley Road Race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bicycling World & Motorcycle Review - June 11, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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There was also an ad touting the the Denver to Greeley Road race win in the July 1, 1910 edition of Motorcycle Illustrated.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - July 1, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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In September 1910, a little known event involving the the Model 6E Factory Stock Racer, took place. Out in Waco, Texas a young rider named Eddie Hasha, was making name for himself winning races in the Dallas on both an Indian Single, and an Indian twin. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Eddie Hasha - 1912<br />Chris Price @ Archive Moto</b></span></td></tr>
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Hasha's chief competitor, was the acknowledged Southern Champion Robert Stubbs, who was a former member of Indian's Racing Team, that set several new speed records for Indian at Ormond Beach, Florida in 1909.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Robert Stubbs - Ormond Beach, Florida - 1909<br />Chris price @ Archive Moto</b></span></td></tr>
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As the Birmingham, Alabama Indian dealer, and a former Indian Racing Team member, Stubbs had access to the latest versions of Indian racing bikes. This was making it tough for Hasha to compete with Stubbs, especially in the single cylinder race. Harley-Davidson co founder Arthur Davidson had befriended Hasha, early in his career. Davidson shipped one of the 6E single cylinder racers to Hasha in Waco. How this came to pass, has never been revealed. Over a three day event starting on August 29, 1910, Hasha cleaned house against Stubbs, and the other competitors. Hasha won all three single cylinder professional class races with the Harley-Davidson, and a couple of professional class races on his Indian twin. The event was reported in a short article in the September 15, 1910 edition of Motorcycle Illustrated.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - September 15, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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The fact that Arthur Davidson had provided Hasha a single cylinder racer was not picked up by the press. It may not have been lost on Stubbs, who would have passed it on to Indian's Race Department. This appears to have been the only time, Hasha rode the Harley single, as returned to riding an Indian single in the remaining races that season. Whether this was due to pressure from Indian, or the fact Harley did not have a twin cylinder racer is unknown, but Hasha would remain an Indian rider for the remainder of his career. Over the next couple of years, Eddie Hasha rose to the top ranks of professional racing on the newly introduced steeply banked circular board tracks known as Motordromes.<br />
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On September 8, 1912, Hasha was killed, along with fellow racer Johnnie Albright, and six young spectators in an horrendous accident at the Vailisburg Park Motordrome in Newark, New Jersey. In the aftermath of Hasha's death, Arthur Davidson penned a memorial editorial to his friend, which appeared in the Harley-Davidson Dealer's News in October 1912. In that editorial, the story of the 1910 Waco race was finally revealed:<br />
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<b>"The News that Eddie Hasha, John Albright and six spectators met death at the Vailisburg Park Motordrome, at Newark, N.J. on September 8th, was no doubt startling to everyone, but to non more than the writer for the reason that a close friendship had existed, for some time, between Hasha and myself, dating back to the time at dallas, Texas, when Hasha was starting his racing career. At that time we had a racing machine shipped to Dallas, and Eddie Hasha was given a chance to ride against Robert Stubbs, and defeated him. From then on his entry into the racing game was fast and remarkably successful. Not very long ago, Mr. Hasha took up the selling of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Dallas, but the race track fever got him again and he went back to it. And, while it was with very deep regret that I heard the story of his death, as well as that of John Albright, I was not a great deal surprised, as I had expected it to come in the course of events. But to cause the death of spectators was more than any of us had predicted."</b><br />
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<b>Arthur Davidson Editorial - Harley-Davidson Dealer News - October 1912.</b><br />
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The fellow who appears to have had the most success, with the Harley single cylinder racer was one Thurman Constable of Union City, Indiana. The 1910 Racing Season, was Constable's first season as a professional racer, he logged 52 First Place finishes, in 56 events. His photograph appeared in the November 26, 1910 edition of Bicycling World & Motorcycle Review. This maybe the only photograph of the Model 6E Factory Stock Racer in track racing trim.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z5TcJ-mA2rfvsBIqSy6vOYdN0soQHv9lUxSW9KDwiH4c9hzyb0JIRK3cB1BItN1Jy07V-qc2Fn4nA5grr6sO-vit_kvMJZwsN8U7HvUTKjxEbdAo35xUVXyvHnRGa1xpjxBOjcuYxebW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-21+at+1.56.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z5TcJ-mA2rfvsBIqSy6vOYdN0soQHv9lUxSW9KDwiH4c9hzyb0JIRK3cB1BItN1Jy07V-qc2Fn4nA5grr6sO-vit_kvMJZwsN8U7HvUTKjxEbdAo35xUVXyvHnRGa1xpjxBOjcuYxebW/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-02-21+at+1.56.52+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bicycling World & Motorcycle Review - November 26, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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He also appeared in an article in the December 1, 1910 edition of Motorcycle Illustrated.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK30zfn83lVaicVbEgzc-_xPLtsclIuNdwxk0BPTBfqWoOgAqUj1Ycy6LLpPXBwq5WOI-zvSZkHcc2p0IRB411UAaKy4tRj2O8OyBpsVbBxcvoXgtJWfGe7sf2tXqkn4rvMStOWEifeNcG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-21+at+11.36.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK30zfn83lVaicVbEgzc-_xPLtsclIuNdwxk0BPTBfqWoOgAqUj1Ycy6LLpPXBwq5WOI-zvSZkHcc2p0IRB411UAaKy4tRj2O8OyBpsVbBxcvoXgtJWfGe7sf2tXqkn4rvMStOWEifeNcG/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-02-21+at+11.36.31+AM.png" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - December 1, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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Despite the fact, that only a handful of Model 6E factory stock Racers were produced, it appears to have been highly successful. Although, it was always billed as "stock" it's success against highly developed single cylinder racers ridden by seasoned professional riders, leads one to believe that the rated stock 4 horsepower, was a a bit of an understatement. The internal secrets of these early racers have been lost to time. However, they allowed both privateer amateur, and professional racers to purchase a competitive Harley-Davidson racer through their local dealers. The race wins gave Harley-Davidson a performance image to go along with their reputation for endurance and reliability. As racing improves the breed, surely the lessons learned with these racers, were incorporated into the later production singles.<br />
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The Model E single racer did not appear in the 1911 models. The emphasis in racing was moving to twin cylinder racers. They could reach much higher speeds of the newly popular Motordrome boards tracks, and the ever increasing speeds, and subsequent danger, filled the stands with paying spectators. It is clear from Arthur Davidson's editorial on Hasha's death, that Harley-Davidson had no interest in being involved in Motordrome racing.<br />
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I am not aware of any surviving Model 6E racers. The identifiers, that would separate them from a normal 1910 Model 6 single are pretty much unknown. If one of these early racers did turn up, with a verifiable provenance, it would surely command a princely sum. If that racer could be verified as the one Eddie Hash rode in the 1910 Waco race, it would be the rarest bit of early Harley-Davidson racing history.<br />
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<b>Sources:</b><br />
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<b>Bicycling World & Motorcycle Review</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Chris Price @ Archive Moto</b><br />
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<b>Google</b><br />
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<b>Harley Davidson Dealer News </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Motocycle Illustrated</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Tech's Web Harley-Davidson VIN Info 1903 - Present</b><br />
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Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-80058436733910324212017-02-02T06:06:00.000-08:002018-11-22T09:11:33.844-08:00Montgomery, Alabama's Van Diver Park Race Track - Episode #40<b></b><b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@ Mototique</b><br />
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<b>Updated - February 17, 2017</b><br />
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<b>This episode is a continuation of my search for early Alabama motorcycle racing history.</b> </div>
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In the early 1900s, motorcycle racing was sweeping the country drawing large crowds of spectators to local horse tracks, and the new wooden motordromes. By 1909, Birmingham, Alabama was the established motorcycle racing capital of Alabama. The Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway began holding motorcycle races in July 1907. Birmingham Indian Motocycle dealer, Robert Stubbs, was recognized as the Southern Champion. Stubbs was a member of the Indian Factory Racing Team, that set several speed records at Ormond Beach, Florida in March of 1909. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZUJnaVu_yaMz1ojFgJA_TAyK58clbD31aZwgy-5QelyetQX_3X4QkGwLpxtjzOmKmsQZo4eKDkZQBGyXM65XVGd7O4t6NHilahux3u5lL9lZ2MGyjWoxPSuLtp7Nw75snT5s09jT_for/s1600/Stubbs+Ormond+Bch+3-1909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZUJnaVu_yaMz1ojFgJA_TAyK58clbD31aZwgy-5QelyetQX_3X4QkGwLpxtjzOmKmsQZo4eKDkZQBGyXM65XVGd7O4t6NHilahux3u5lL9lZ2MGyjWoxPSuLtp7Nw75snT5s09jT_for/s400/Stubbs+Ormond+Bch+3-1909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Robert Stubbs - Ormond Beach, Florida - March 1909</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Price @ Archive Moto</span></b></div>
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Montgomery, Alabama's Capital City, would soon follow Birmingham in embracing the motorcycle racing craze. In 1907, the legislature of the State of Alabama passed a bill funding upgrades to fairgrounds around the State of Alabama. The Montgomery County Fairgrounds was the recipient of $8,500. to up grade their facilities. Among the improvements added in the next year, was a large horse track. The exact length, and dimensions, of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track at Vandiver Park are lost to time, but from the few surviving photos, it appears to be a 1 mile oval dirt track. Horse racing was a popular fair exhibition, and with the increasing popularity of automobile racing, the Vandiver Park track also began hosting automobile meets. Motorcycle racing was soon to follow.<br />
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In May of 1909, a motorcycle race was included at the Fairgrounds race track Automobile Meet. Bob Stubbs traveled to Montgomery, and "easily won the 5 mile handicap." Stubbs also rode a 5 Mile Exhibition for the crowd that day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjea1wTBoLuqZyntsqgzb0L2UThfEDaraC6dGt0vl98zgu0yhEu0EaHUUssfhImDzFHj1RPOHi3tQqERwVnx2QW3Z3kmDpeuI2K09yTn0E9yqUsYD2aaqKS3S2EyQ9_jGf1Ml9sGASB4Ux/s1600/Stubbs+Montgomery+1909+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjea1wTBoLuqZyntsqgzb0L2UThfEDaraC6dGt0vl98zgu0yhEu0EaHUUssfhImDzFHj1RPOHi3tQqERwVnx2QW3Z3kmDpeuI2K09yTn0E9yqUsYD2aaqKS3S2EyQ9_jGf1Ml9sGASB4Ux/s400/Stubbs+Montgomery+1909+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - May 5, 1909</span></b></td></tr>
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When the professional motorcycle races held in conjunction with the 1910 Montgomery County Fair during October rolled around, Bob Stubbs again dominated, and his win received coverage in the national racing press.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XySDklmzC6j2y2MELd7bMgkR77FpkkldgVyEBNjucJ4zSZkK-bFMFAJYJlHOasm2bQyY0-Tckg1U6sL7v47f67AdfQpcxtWO-qeKGlVm2dWTqF5tElV9c3tk-KCkF3f3U-ugh_9S8g_A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-17+at+4.15.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XySDklmzC6j2y2MELd7bMgkR77FpkkldgVyEBNjucJ4zSZkK-bFMFAJYJlHOasm2bQyY0-Tckg1U6sL7v47f67AdfQpcxtWO-qeKGlVm2dWTqF5tElV9c3tk-KCkF3f3U-ugh_9S8g_A/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-02-17+at+4.15.10+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - November 1, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP57E_tH7nfYJS2jBAckWIGqgfi9bxz254uZhNmBBPxggFGxaHrX1LmCVMAEYpdix4Bk6sjTvWxBSFRVBqfPvUTRuYLjAwrofopfmDuEyH5gTzFQ7jIX2vDR2rE-1spoyAab_Jhgs3IFs4/s1600/bicyc6224191081911newy_0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP57E_tH7nfYJS2jBAckWIGqgfi9bxz254uZhNmBBPxggFGxaHrX1LmCVMAEYpdix4Bk6sjTvWxBSFRVBqfPvUTRuYLjAwrofopfmDuEyH5gTzFQ7jIX2vDR2rE-1spoyAab_Jhgs3IFs4/s400/bicyc6224191081911newy_0217.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - October 29, 1910</span></b></td></tr>
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With the formation of the Montgomery Motorcycle Club in mid 1911, amateur racers were ready to tackle the big dirt oval. The club held a members only session at Vandiver Park in late August 1910, and planned a regular race in September. These events were mentioned in the September 7, 1911 edition of Motorcycle Illustrated magazine.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgZNG7c2ED6uiQB-F1FwsLDlKwF5LR5T_sFFBfuvSjd1-c1kph_4tIFj327L_Q5D87vxJitk6cg7aLhacxikSbZaWxKjlkvLfYIXqx4Rvg5YoVSjGcRHu7UBG6llAIXmZlq9FEbVzeJ82/s1600/Vandiver+Park+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgZNG7c2ED6uiQB-F1FwsLDlKwF5LR5T_sFFBfuvSjd1-c1kph_4tIFj327L_Q5D87vxJitk6cg7aLhacxikSbZaWxKjlkvLfYIXqx4Rvg5YoVSjGcRHu7UBG6llAIXmZlq9FEbVzeJ82/s400/Vandiver+Park+story.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Motorcycle Illustrated - September 7, 1911</span></b></td></tr>
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On September 26, 1911, the club hosted it's first amateur race. The proceeds from the race went in support of the Anti-Tuberculosis League of Montgomery.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yHFw_f-n2qJcbCh9_Jwi3pXSUJTYI4xujlqeu4mj9MnjEra1WP8g0iEU1r7oYJ3n9nKlvBQNOpA-XGr-awtwtXUbtq1cInpgTV9wWIfhdsxUPOYarcDKcUZIi885pSPa_jtwnQSegOws/s1600/Vandiver+Park+1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yHFw_f-n2qJcbCh9_Jwi3pXSUJTYI4xujlqeu4mj9MnjEra1WP8g0iEU1r7oYJ3n9nKlvBQNOpA-XGr-awtwtXUbtq1cInpgTV9wWIfhdsxUPOYarcDKcUZIi885pSPa_jtwnQSegOws/s640/Vandiver+Park+1911.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - September 9, 1911</span></b></td></tr>
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In October, 1911, the Montgomery County Fair returned to the Capital City, hosting both amateur, and professional motorcycle races. Just a week before the fair, Bob Stubbs, received a serious eye injury during a race at Birmingham. While Stubbs was on his way to a full recovery, his wife convinced him to retire from track racing. This opened the door for one of Stubbs' sponsored riders, Gail Joyce to replace Stubbs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklMUBXTg9J5HH8TxTZgjMBHRun6ZExdGMR1JEu28C5lRWJ6JFlxrNHNUvGdHqycz6dwE_77BzI2_6JLuHDd0gi-J7KcPSAyH6it9q-zyVWuZQ9ML49jMXoXi1AJ8Kke9A0MI7atQKPvUm/s1600/G+Walker+Stubbs+Indian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklMUBXTg9J5HH8TxTZgjMBHRun6ZExdGMR1JEu28C5lRWJ6JFlxrNHNUvGdHqycz6dwE_77BzI2_6JLuHDd0gi-J7KcPSAyH6it9q-zyVWuZQ9ML49jMXoXi1AJ8Kke9A0MI7atQKPvUm/s400/G+Walker+Stubbs+Indian.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Bob Stubbs Indian Riders -Birmingham, AL. ca. 1913</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Richard Gayle, Gail Joyce, Gene Walker</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Furman Family Collection</span></b></div>
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This would not be a cake walk for Gail Joyce. He would face serious competition at the Montgomery race from Texas rider Eddie " The Texas Cyclone". Hasha, who was quickly proving he was one of the best riders in the south. In September of 1910, Hasha had defeated Bob Stubbs at Waco, Texas riding an early Harley-Davidson racer loaned to him, by Harley-Davidson co founder Arthur Davidson. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUU3aSpZ2hXx4nQUzxOhyGN2DOnY4H0kYbBB_XKwTSybvv2abOIpZk1SEFoQ275YMQvaEDt_eQVES171RvVomYaWwxngHQ645ZW-CIb2LrpzN08nnvkw2lXofx-wijXPB7HSgf9CpNF-wJ/s1600/Waco+TX+1910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUU3aSpZ2hXx4nQUzxOhyGN2DOnY4H0kYbBB_XKwTSybvv2abOIpZk1SEFoQ275YMQvaEDt_eQVES171RvVomYaWwxngHQ645ZW-CIb2LrpzN08nnvkw2lXofx-wijXPB7HSgf9CpNF-wJ/s400/Waco+TX+1910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Motorcycle Illustrated - September 15, 1910</span></b></td></tr>
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This was a rare move for Harley-Davidson, who had up to that point had avoided the deadly business of track racing. For the Montgomery race, Hasha, like Gail Joyce, would be back on his Indian twin cylinder racer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NzsxOK8UmBWm8_bSqJ8Tn_EsoWjfJqOHbzTVY2BmLn9iq7CTGJMsQPCkxDcaGPwo2BX3o7SpgHQ35NDfuMbFWQN00jXEuS8ZvQiJFmBD_cE0fDyKdmdqWnZagRZTV0fugmbIpApAkteT/s1600/Oct+1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NzsxOK8UmBWm8_bSqJ8Tn_EsoWjfJqOHbzTVY2BmLn9iq7CTGJMsQPCkxDcaGPwo2BX3o7SpgHQ35NDfuMbFWQN00jXEuS8ZvQiJFmBD_cE0fDyKdmdqWnZagRZTV0fugmbIpApAkteT/s640/Oct+1911.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - October 28, 1911</span></b></td></tr>
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When Hasha, and Joyce squared off on the track, later that week, Hasha won three races, with Joyce claiming two races. Period press accounts sometimes confuse Gail Joyce's first name, with his Stubbs Indian teammate Richard Gayle's last name.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BRwSDkfVgsQOV4ESeGztVofCwxolurtdZZ80WfnR2VEZinbNjPOLApNwdRiLCRlNwAaRANYryRszhLROJzOAGJA0MI97Nsqrf_Y_EFOy4rNegbJBGGBHAjhyDaZgRGh45rOJ49xG_0JF/s1600/EddieHashaNewark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BRwSDkfVgsQOV4ESeGztVofCwxolurtdZZ80WfnR2VEZinbNjPOLApNwdRiLCRlNwAaRANYryRszhLROJzOAGJA0MI97Nsqrf_Y_EFOy4rNegbJBGGBHAjhyDaZgRGh45rOJ49xG_0JF/s400/EddieHashaNewark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Eddie " The Texas Cyclone" Hasha - 1912</span></b></td></tr>
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The next race event held was held in conjunction with an aviation, and automobile exhibition at the Spring Celebration on March 4, 1912. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCJkaOIP4sHHeVyGAJqnpzyTlAYRHdhFp-ciKlKNQA2uyMxhYk2ea_k9v0_g0XSw1w-TBBtUQHDzWmX6oRIAMyEK0aixIU3fFFM3PkiBidZHAp0-2E125QQI2UTvETmYqQoKVNrKlXjIi/s1600/MI+Montgomery+March+1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCJkaOIP4sHHeVyGAJqnpzyTlAYRHdhFp-ciKlKNQA2uyMxhYk2ea_k9v0_g0XSw1w-TBBtUQHDzWmX6oRIAMyEK0aixIU3fFFM3PkiBidZHAp0-2E125QQI2UTvETmYqQoKVNrKlXjIi/s400/MI+Montgomery+March+1912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Motorcycle Illustrated - March 7, 1912</span></b></td></tr>
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That event was followed up on March 10, 1912, holding the races that had been rained out the previous weekend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2YpOyKCnKJxZCDt635GdG_R5c2iuFYa1Gt60oYcaqPV0wg49lkXKKpn9ygWeWnlvzSdOYcRbUAn4r6tbhhzucJ4vRfTdulM7kUjpuqGQZal8DgAuZPhw9ZqEEMt-E-wIuPClfwvqH0Fu/s1600/March+1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2YpOyKCnKJxZCDt635GdG_R5c2iuFYa1Gt60oYcaqPV0wg49lkXKKpn9ygWeWnlvzSdOYcRbUAn4r6tbhhzucJ4vRfTdulM7kUjpuqGQZal8DgAuZPhw9ZqEEMt-E-wIuPClfwvqH0Fu/s400/March+1912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - March 16, 1912</span></b></td></tr>
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Sadly, on September 9, 1912, Eddie "The Texas Cyclone" Hasha, along with fellow rider Johnnie Albright, and 5 spectators were killed in a horrendous crash at the Vailsburg Park Motordrome board track in Newark, New Jersey. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUQEMNtKoVYR0mH5RYyT3vwkWfKhD8WDh9oFzmdQix9Rh_sGp0mz61-tInDkIt0nqQgCqaatOuNvVH5_OQ0CfpSutY42Y7yGo5hkrmO-zbsq9Hyovv_jq9Bc1Xplw_7cX6wpX2u_xQSDz/s1600/Newark+1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUQEMNtKoVYR0mH5RYyT3vwkWfKhD8WDh9oFzmdQix9Rh_sGp0mz61-tInDkIt0nqQgCqaatOuNvVH5_OQ0CfpSutY42Y7yGo5hkrmO-zbsq9Hyovv_jq9Bc1Xplw_7cX6wpX2u_xQSDz/s400/Newark+1912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Asbury Park, New Jersey Press - September 9, 1912</span></b></td></tr>
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I have been unable to find any further mention of motorcycle races at the Vandiver Park track in the period motorcycle press. There is however one item I found, which may explain why the track did not hold more races. During the 1912 Montgomery County Fair, Aviator Louis Mitchell was killed in a crash barnstorming over the Fairgrounds track. This followed a similar fatality during the fair in Birmingham a week earlier. Some ten thousand spectators observed the Vandiver Park crash, and City father's may have re-evaluated such dangerous exhibitions, and races.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmBGhwmyQU9ry1Tpv9ZjtgTdO1XXTigYRFHgPJ5fTkFBzrdlz0_R9yghsktdz3J4x6v5brCrtpTbcldu7XiyTFdceT2jueHO2K4IzrDe4mC3tVJzMLMo62xb9gEc8r4LljY_x-XtZCxSZ/s1600/Vandivewr+Park+Oct+1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmBGhwmyQU9ry1Tpv9ZjtgTdO1XXTigYRFHgPJ5fTkFBzrdlz0_R9yghsktdz3J4x6v5brCrtpTbcldu7XiyTFdceT2jueHO2K4IzrDe4mC3tVJzMLMo62xb9gEc8r4LljY_x-XtZCxSZ/s640/Vandivewr+Park+Oct+1912.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Greenville, Alabama Advocate - October 30, 1912</b></span></td></tr>
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The racetrack at Vandiver Park had been used as a training site for Alabama National Guard units beginning in the early teens. With America's build up to entering World War 1, the Vandiver Park racetrack/Montgomery County Fairgrounds site was condemned. It was taken over by the United States Army, as a training site in 1916, and renamed Camp Sheridan. It was just 50 years from the end of the Civil War, and having a U. S. Army camp named after a prominent Yankee general just a few miles from the original Capital of the Confederacy, was probably not very popular with some Montgomery residents.<br />
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While I was unable to locate any period racing photos of the track, a portion of one of the dirt track's turns and straight away can clearly be seen between the building in this photo of Camp Sheridan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4ZeLJ2ZMxee8QaxtoIs-E4WySr67n8fpR3PziGlGiUQi4gk3X4UESgpTncTyde88hIOhykk7gDvEgUcLF9djuDqh7HIDxs3A-I8H_7VoN_yOtXkDPD18Spz7V9PNx-RwiGpIApqc5Cnc/s1600/800px-WWI_Camp_Sheridan_Montgomery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4ZeLJ2ZMxee8QaxtoIs-E4WySr67n8fpR3PziGlGiUQi4gk3X4UESgpTncTyde88hIOhykk7gDvEgUcLF9djuDqh7HIDxs3A-I8H_7VoN_yOtXkDPD18Spz7V9PNx-RwiGpIApqc5Cnc/s640/800px-WWI_Camp_Sheridan_Montgomery.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Camp Sheridan @ the old Vandiver Park Race Track - ca. 1917</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">State of Alabama Archives</span></b></div>
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</tbody></table>
Camp Sheridan was mentioned one final time in the February 7, 1918 edition of Motorcycle Illustrated magazine. The article was about a visit by the Goodyear Friars of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. The Friars were entertaining former Goodyear employees, who were receiving Army training at both Camp Sherman in Ohio, and Camp Sheridan in Alabama.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDS8QIzgDch8Z269nyg-pM6nZbNJW3tJy6nqHOtOSZRTVEsx3pa8oh-5Qo4Epf_Nz3kTEHpnV8-_8cgPS3GEC2uYIdvciU59rmgTIKSeUWZvPtx59wO6eE7L6xkGNiLZj3TNzvCIlZqY-/s1600/MI+1918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDS8QIzgDch8Z269nyg-pM6nZbNJW3tJy6nqHOtOSZRTVEsx3pa8oh-5Qo4Epf_Nz3kTEHpnV8-_8cgPS3GEC2uYIdvciU59rmgTIKSeUWZvPtx59wO6eE7L6xkGNiLZj3TNzvCIlZqY-/s640/MI+1918.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Motorcycle Illustrated - February 7, 1918</span></b></td></tr>
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The site of the old Montgomery County Fairgrounds and race track is marked by a State of Alabama Historic Marker, recognizing it as the scene of Camp Sheridan during World War 1.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzDCIsCRPO7euCBjX-VnAQ2lIRoLBN9YUmGKM3LxGexXUU2zUR1QGWjarH2VZxmwMX7qJBiXvbDoaapDVKupCbsY5C-0bh8Hicnrk_rECXHTR0l7ZazY5bvXr2ESkp_h41wvSKHjlXHlj/s1600/544d0287-5b0f-4c71-8238-8266eb603861_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzDCIsCRPO7euCBjX-VnAQ2lIRoLBN9YUmGKM3LxGexXUU2zUR1QGWjarH2VZxmwMX7qJBiXvbDoaapDVKupCbsY5C-0bh8Hicnrk_rECXHTR0l7ZazY5bvXr2ESkp_h41wvSKHjlXHlj/s400/544d0287-5b0f-4c71-8238-8266eb603861_d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Sources:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Asbury Park, New Jersey Press</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - Smithsonian Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Chris Price @ Archive Moto</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Furman Family Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Google</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Greenville, Alabama Advocate</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Motorcycle Illustrated - Hathi Trust Collection</b><br />
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<b>Newspaper.com</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b></b></div>
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<b>State of Alabama Archives</b><br />
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<b>State of Alabama Historic Markers</b><br />
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Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-87092361233676943522016-12-30T09:22:00.002-08:002022-01-12T10:12:59.146-08:00Rat Racer Returns - Episode #39<div><b>December 31, 2016</b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Ocala, Florida<br /></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf3Sj3QktGUvuiGMpKjqXyOJ_wtP0Sam5JHenJTh9yJzZd30Lywsbdd5btSj-GejPVxQn3Wf-tXGb_3iDskclamSB5_hiJppx_KTDwp1iOoqMxfPKIpqOYF21ok3AtjA3hzoqrMMO-7da/s1600/Rat%2527s+Hole+Show.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf3Sj3QktGUvuiGMpKjqXyOJ_wtP0Sam5JHenJTh9yJzZd30Lywsbdd5btSj-GejPVxQn3Wf-tXGb_3iDskclamSB5_hiJppx_KTDwp1iOoqMxfPKIpqOYF21ok3AtjA3hzoqrMMO-7da/s400/Rat%2527s+Hole+Show.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rat Racer at the Rat's Hole Bike Show at Ocala, FL. Bike Fest</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Photo by Julius Williams</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
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Well, it's been about a year since I have given an update on my 1921 Harley-Davidson replica racer, which I call "Rat Racer." It's always a continuing work in progress, with several changes since I last wrote about it in Episode 29. To start with, it made an appearance in the Rat's Hole Bike Show at Ocala Bike Fest this past July. Teddy Smith, and his staff at the Rat's Hole do a first class job and were great folks to work with. <br />
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The day of the show, a photo of me sitting on Rat Racer appeared in the Ocala Star Banner article on Bike Fest. Pretty cool!<br />
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We were lucky enough to walk away with a win in the Pre 1935 Antique Bike Class and received a great plaque designed by Teddy Smith.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnZ56UEFYA1MllKUmzNhOAJ5wHFZbxdCsU0iwI2ihWpB3mL-wtVF5GX07QKO2jVp7Jbp9eF9rwDlkgMV5yOefj9jihSDRO5orHsYDxzXLP2iRr1dWzN9UmdvS3kSJs8w8THZfvShSZqK1/s1600/Rat%2527s+Hole+Plaque.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnZ56UEFYA1MllKUmzNhOAJ5wHFZbxdCsU0iwI2ihWpB3mL-wtVF5GX07QKO2jVp7Jbp9eF9rwDlkgMV5yOefj9jihSDRO5orHsYDxzXLP2iRr1dWzN9UmdvS3kSJs8w8THZfvShSZqK1/s400/Rat%2527s+Hole+Plaque.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rats Hole Bike Show Plaque</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">By Teddy Smith</span></b></div>
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With the bike show commitment completed, I could concentrate on converting Rat Racer to ride on the street. There were several problems to solve, including working brakes/clutch, and a better carburetor. I tackled the carburetion problem first. Over the past few years, I have tried both period Schebler & Linkert carburetors. The problem was neither could be leaned out enough to use on a single cylinder bike. I finally decided to go with a 1970s era 34mm Mikuni VM carburetor. Yeah, I know it's blasphemy to use a modern Japanese carburetor on a 95-year-old Harley-Davidson. Funny thing is, before switching over to fuel injection, all the modern carbureted Harleys used Japanese carburetors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCQB3r7GF3ZA0uLmlwZGy_-Li1yqC2oc2vQdGJ3fpFZ-PFO-o6errib7i278sP-jgzfBViy5Rd5JDjPwt4zbnGgT2BVwskvOH6IVVAw8X0FnJ5jrlq35XMJe3qrMtZk-TMgqFCyznJi5A/s1600/Carb+photo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCQB3r7GF3ZA0uLmlwZGy_-Li1yqC2oc2vQdGJ3fpFZ-PFO-o6errib7i278sP-jgzfBViy5Rd5JDjPwt4zbnGgT2BVwskvOH6IVVAw8X0FnJ5jrlq35XMJe3qrMtZk-TMgqFCyznJi5A/s400/Carb+photo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Mikuni, being a much more modern carburetor, has several advantages. First, they are relatively cheap, especially compared to period alternatives. Second tuning parts are readily available and reasonably priced. Finally, I am very familiar with tuning these Mikuni carburetors from my AMA road racing days. With a little tuning, the engine ran strong throughout the rev range with the Mikuni.<br />
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The next problem was a working brake. The rear wheel assembly with the Free Wheel Clutch assembly I am using, also comes with a period style drum brake on the right side of the hub. The trouble is the hub assembly with the clutch and brake, would no fit my racing frame. I opted to use the hub with the clutch assembly and find an alternative brake for the front end. This required a pretty significant offset in the lacing of the rear wheel to get the tire aligned with the centerline of the frame, but after a few hours of painstaking adjustment, everything lined up. <br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Hal4mtYa3eVyi89742wlj0T0LrQO-CUxyvFLSScdKh6sJgskPeaecmTujN7yj96etm0AK8RIaL67SDdrLVLNHmJbjykyj7Xb2MCSvSd5ikNV9smn6jOb9oByKhjeXsQQ0r6NVcxLulg3/s1600/Rear+Wheel.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Hal4mtYa3eVyi89742wlj0T0LrQO-CUxyvFLSScdKh6sJgskPeaecmTujN7yj96etm0AK8RIaL67SDdrLVLNHmJbjykyj7Xb2MCSvSd5ikNV9smn6jOb9oByKhjeXsQQ0r6NVcxLulg3/s400/Rear+Wheel.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Free Wheel Clutch Rear Wheel After Alignment<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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After some time searching Bay, I located an early 80s Kawasaki dirt bike front wheel with a small drum brake. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RSqusK9Pa-jIWK8PoPJekf_ftesAf-vHtEvYwK3aVi224yRBzLzRxBXOkZuxrHTiUwtknxK6pTWAvaWNfrh00iyfpc5J5LDM5fzx79Vyj-6Mp5vRqFJrPownhZaALJfbiQ2_NTZODyzy/s1600/14188465_1245788318811214_4621052629876024904_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RSqusK9Pa-jIWK8PoPJekf_ftesAf-vHtEvYwK3aVi224yRBzLzRxBXOkZuxrHTiUwtknxK6pTWAvaWNfrh00iyfpc5J5LDM5fzx79Vyj-6Mp5vRqFJrPownhZaALJfbiQ2_NTZODyzy/s400/14188465_1245788318811214_4621052629876024904_o.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Front Wheel Assembly with Drum Brake</span></b></td></tr>
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With all the major problems solved, it was time for a road test. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_WQEvcC26wqAdfGezSaSj1KpERqdorN3fdB5A-IuzNzawSz_X3ou88nP7Ge5Jwudwwtd1TuruGAcYPALRgcZU4NSBeebRM5Va1Pbioy8H4kCWwMr_U_4KiM9SwFul1_TMjwlqZSdrXrb/s1600/Test+Ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_WQEvcC26wqAdfGezSaSj1KpERqdorN3fdB5A-IuzNzawSz_X3ou88nP7Ge5Jwudwwtd1TuruGAcYPALRgcZU4NSBeebRM5Va1Pbioy8H4kCWwMr_U_4KiM9SwFul1_TMjwlqZSdrXrb/s400/Test+Ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Rat Racer Road Test - November 6, 2016</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Lee Merkel Field - Sylacauga, Alabama</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
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The bike ran very well, reaching about 55pmh, tracking straight, the plug reading was good, and the front brake worked superbly. Mission accomplished!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhl9d3dLagV70HbG8FtMMJnOzBxvN0o7Di2w9x64egeG8DGHxX7BH6NMUDjSjCwFxztxNlfWfJ7MduLnJWW5PArKNrlDXLptSwTJlLaAkP4iPvRpuUHrnmm7S90pPRm3aJtW44V9joWAq/s1600/Rat+Racer+Road+Test.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhl9d3dLagV70HbG8FtMMJnOzBxvN0o7Di2w9x64egeG8DGHxX7BH6NMUDjSjCwFxztxNlfWfJ7MduLnJWW5PArKNrlDXLptSwTJlLaAkP4iPvRpuUHrnmm7S90pPRm3aJtW44V9joWAq/s400/Rat+Racer+Road+Test.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Rat Racer - Road Ready</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>Sources:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Deadly Dave's Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ocala Star Banner</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Julius Williams</b><br />
<br />
<b></b></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-91299887982060581122015-12-26T17:12:00.006-08:002022-03-31T08:43:21.288-07:00Lena Cohen Rose - Early Motorcycle Thrill Show Rider - Episode #38<div><b>December 26, 2015</b></div><div><b>March 31, 2022 Update</b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@ MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Sylacauga, Alabama</b></div><div><b><br /></b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Birmingham, AL. News - October 13, 1913</b></span></td></tr>
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Over a year ago, I was doing research at the Birmingham Public Library Archive. As I scrolled through the microfilm of the October 1913 editions of the Birmingham News, I suddenly came across a grainy newspaper photograph of a women wearing an early leather motorcycle helmet. Because I was pressed for time, I printed out the article, without reading it. Sadly, that article sat in a stack of some 20 pages printed out that day for over a year. <br />
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One day, I shuffled through that stack looking for another article. When I came across her photo, I finally took time to read the article. It was then that I realized it documented one of the earliest known women to perform in a motorcycle thrill show.<br />
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In 1911, the first Motordrome Thrill Show was built in Luna Park on Coney Island New York. These early Motordrome shows where the precursor of the motorcycle Wall of Death Shows that still travel the country today. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>New York Times - July 3, 1911</b></span></td></tr>
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This steeply banked circular wooden track was sunk into a hole in the ground. Descriptions in the press vary slightly, listing the track's diameter at either 65, or 80 feet. The wooden planks making up the track were laid vertically at either a 65, or 72 degree angle. This formed a track that looked like a large saucer, hence the name <b>"Saucer Tracks."</b>. The riding surface of the track was only two feet wide, but the small racing cars, which first used the track could hit 50 miles an hour, ripping round the tiny Motordrome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>New York Times - April 30, 1911</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The New York Daily World - August 10, 1912</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpnfYA3PJbwgjOgK3GLjoUmcuGrYn3-92PtrTA79cdeoTYv1ksGEWf8QtcWDDzML8BsP2P_D8q1UNOEqvLAx7KwlTdjHSLGp-50Qx023bQJPGyvVdFPEFFi0EmsE5VvRzAZ6PyMmJFWsi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-24+at+8.37.35+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpnfYA3PJbwgjOgK3GLjoUmcuGrYn3-92PtrTA79cdeoTYv1ksGEWf8QtcWDDzML8BsP2P_D8q1UNOEqvLAx7KwlTdjHSLGp-50Qx023bQJPGyvVdFPEFFi0EmsE5VvRzAZ6PyMmJFWsi/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-12-24+at+8.37.35+PM.png" width="566" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - August 22, 1912</b></span></td></tr>
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Motorcycles soon took to the track as well, and large crowds of enthusiastic spectators watched the riders zip around at breakneck speed, standing on a wooden platform around the top of the Motordrome. On May 18, 1912, the danger of the thrill show, struck home. Rider "Daredevil Dick" was lapping the track on his motorcycle up close to the top of the wall. Suddenly he got too high on the wall, and he and his motorcycle were propelled out of the attraction. His motorcycle struck several spectators on the way out injuring them, and "Daredevil Dick", whose real name was William Mullen, was killed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIhwVauMqMGKYhdTJiM4RIxHcvqGv8ztA7hMt8GNGECviEfTJGFxwkHu1n_nR1F_KcNCOuGM7zyyjdrF1DuaJ84V0laZtSDo8wuhGzZpRchnMZK1QQ15wrmt4x61Fk4G24F2rbnCb3qP5/s1600/img-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIhwVauMqMGKYhdTJiM4RIxHcvqGv8ztA7hMt8GNGECviEfTJGFxwkHu1n_nR1F_KcNCOuGM7zyyjdrF1DuaJ84V0laZtSDo8wuhGzZpRchnMZK1QQ15wrmt4x61Fk4G24F2rbnCb3qP5/s640/img-1.jpeg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Washington Post - May 19, 1912</b></span></td></tr>
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About this same time, Lena Cohen, of Savannah, Georgia, was working as a stenographer and bookkeeper for a Wall Street Firm was drawn into this dangerous profession. After meeting her future husband, "Wild Billy" Rose, one of the motor dome thrill show riders in 1912, the adventuresome girl convinced Rose to teach her to ride the Motordrome. Lena was an accomplished bicycle rider and took to the risky sport quite easily. Soon she quit her Wall Street job to ride in the Motordrome show. She is said to have performed at the Coney Island attraction during the summers of 1912, and 1913.<br />
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By 1913, Lena had married Billy Rose, and they were traveling with a new "portable" circular wooden motordrome that appeared in Fairground Midways across the South.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ93L8SepERrHMctGpcCOKkXODIywISzKsNTcZD3_F5NffQIRHxvo_21MA_E68DWB7kyXfHN7ZH90Uleq4L78CwdVcfAmNnq-FnIJ2YnVnFJI_P3kkjZ0Z9NBRQqyZXPmDjuMwZLJCpGqc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-26+at+10.45.10+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ93L8SepERrHMctGpcCOKkXODIywISzKsNTcZD3_F5NffQIRHxvo_21MA_E68DWB7kyXfHN7ZH90Uleq4L78CwdVcfAmNnq-FnIJ2YnVnFJI_P3kkjZ0Z9NBRQqyZXPmDjuMwZLJCpGqc/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-12-26+at+10.45.10+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - May 15 1913</b></span></td></tr>
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The new portable motordrome is described in a September 13, 1913 Nashville Tennessean article:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j0RZE6Sj236phGSuaa-dmGb0ylkh4-0ZnU9U4Psp50q9QE18gBtXbE4-OqeQEr_KGRUPVM_gZkV-1OFk0x4USNZip19FUpP2eu6CnfM2Lc7bxjoo6RrWsg8k_q9GS3bT9PyTtGNyl18j/s1600/2808_2479_545_153.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j0RZE6Sj236phGSuaa-dmGb0ylkh4-0ZnU9U4Psp50q9QE18gBtXbE4-OqeQEr_KGRUPVM_gZkV-1OFk0x4USNZip19FUpP2eu6CnfM2Lc7bxjoo6RrWsg8k_q9GS3bT9PyTtGNyl18j/s400/2808_2479_545_153.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Nashville, TN. Tennessean - September 13, 1913</b></span></td></tr>
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It was similar in design to today's Wall of Death Shows, except the track was only 60 feet across, and was banked an angle of about 65 degrees. These early traveling Motordromes came to be known ad Whirl of Death attractions.<br />
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In May 1913, the American Motordrome Company's portable Whirl of Death Motordrome attraction made its first visit to Durham North Carolina for a Carnival Fund Raiser. Durham motorcycle dealer S. E. Rochelle (far left) was photographed, along with the attraction performers, if front of the attraction. This is one of the few known photographs of an early traveling Motordrome attraction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxTShzUhBQB1CXdL5myYb4SEz9i2pITF7FQ5ese8EGIQAD6VqA908hf8T-cSOrQnCjH_BRVCgo0IhUR_A3mQ0lfP6EL15yNo-rCqiKP0JQLIYCzQe9lA2OvXsHSA0zpeigwNCQX8NSKxF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-28+at+7.54.42+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxTShzUhBQB1CXdL5myYb4SEz9i2pITF7FQ5ese8EGIQAD6VqA908hf8T-cSOrQnCjH_BRVCgo0IhUR_A3mQ0lfP6EL15yNo-rCqiKP0JQLIYCzQe9lA2OvXsHSA0zpeigwNCQX8NSKxF/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-12-28+at+7.54.42+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>American Motordrome Company Portable Whirl of Death Motordrome <br />Durham, NC. May 1913 <br />S. E. Rochelle Collection - <a href="http://durhamcountylibrary.org/exhibits/dhpa/photo_archives/d/d096.php">Durham County Library</a></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-qIlPrQaJ13dHLgPlf7Fu9K7hvGpnf3vBZ78waYon0d28qvCnT6aoX3v25OuJNtgRxAtJbSdluJaW5PrW08BnFJB70aTB8Ls9VbiRkUAyEYDguk1pxiB-9XAvbWa4Fz8yrJzoqnw-dMk/s1600/img.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-qIlPrQaJ13dHLgPlf7Fu9K7hvGpnf3vBZ78waYon0d28qvCnT6aoX3v25OuJNtgRxAtJbSdluJaW5PrW08BnFJB70aTB8Ls9VbiRkUAyEYDguk1pxiB-9XAvbWa4Fz8yrJzoqnw-dMk/s400/img.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Durham, NC. Daily Herald Ad - May 4, 1913</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">In October 1913, Lena Rose, and her husband, brought their Motordrome Thrill Show to the Midway at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in Birmingham, Alabama. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QUXX_N2sYhwL0v9N39WaA764l7jODMTrlsXdzrDE4-asesU758D3f1SSXgZJ5Ol7in-7eOMML_ae0t_bOcNRIqJFbl8G0pLWRUzYeougfWARasd2vUahxwCi6BK54uwK-fMA1agOSTuW/s1600/ajaxhelper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QUXX_N2sYhwL0v9N39WaA764l7jODMTrlsXdzrDE4-asesU758D3f1SSXgZJ5Ol7in-7eOMML_ae0t_bOcNRIqJFbl8G0pLWRUzYeougfWARasd2vUahxwCi6BK54uwK-fMA1agOSTuW/s400/ajaxhelper.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Alabama State Fairgrounds Midway<br />O.V. Hunt Collection ca. 1914</span></b></td></tr>
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A lengthy article detailing Mrs. Rose's career appeared in the Birmingham News on October 3, 1913. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Birmingham, AL. News - October 13, 1913</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjkBEnZx_NSUrgJwk1T_5JuDNxzRKi6OfAbYazZ20Mgvn59W6KGJOp0EzFMWpsKbu2zHtyY7WWebmqekzE5f6svKcLyWU8YVFTzZQosYLFhIrRcz1EKwAa6KezohiHHT6pahqXrUEmbEO/s1600/12200476_10156118665320361_1613972713_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b></b></a><br /></div>
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The Birmingham article mentions that Lena Rose tried to get the Fair Management to let do some laps on her motorcycle around the Fairgrounds Raceway's 1 mile dirt oval. The Fairgrounds Raceway was hosting National Championship motorcycle races, with some top professionals in the country, competing during the fair. Fair Management, and Race Officials, would not allow her on the track, which really disappointed Lena, as she had ridden on several dirt track, along with the Vanderbilt Cup Auto Racecourse in her hometown of Savannah.</div>
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After Birmingham, there is no further mention of Lena as "Mrs. Billy Rose." Perhaps her husband finally convinced her to give up the dangerous pursuit. Interestingly, a female Motordrome rider named Rose Moore and billed as the "Champion Motorcycle Rider of America", begins appearing with the Allman Brothers Big Shows Motordrome in 1914. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lead, SD. Daily Call - June 26, 1914</b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm0jlaOutTIyeSBCwcVxjbhk98aXBOMqWF_4aO1rAMOWdSrCrSpm_MOq3IEg7z09-JtBKxKMwR0vU0CflujrybRErPt_VsMIAix2fNslpnrmuoYDOakJ8Fr7z_UVrRSrTLB_Ddq_aj1DM/s1600/1815_1059_561_323.jpg" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm0jlaOutTIyeSBCwcVxjbhk98aXBOMqWF_4aO1rAMOWdSrCrSpm_MOq3IEg7z09-JtBKxKMwR0vU0CflujrybRErPt_VsMIAix2fNslpnrmuoYDOakJ8Fr7z_UVrRSrTLB_Ddq_aj1DM/s400/1815_1059_561_323.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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It's possible, Lena and Billy split up. She may have gone on the road with another show, along with a new stage name, or it may be a totally different performer. It is interesting there are no ads for Rose Moore before 1914. After the 1914 season there are a couple mentions in Fair-Carnival ads for "Motordrome - Dare Devil Rose" in 1917.</div>
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What happened to spunky lady rider from Savannah, Georgia has been lost to time. Billy Rose continued to travel with his "Wild Billy's Motordrome, for years to come. Two 1920 ads indicate that Wild Billy Rose was still using female motordrome riders, so it's possible Lena was still performing in Billy's Show.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Billboard Magazine - January 31, 1920</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jp7LkAAljfSoPijIxAA7iNpBFayvSqHYpV5LJQcP-bmLIBSG9C3Dtv_0GSNZN2PMCktYaIeRCZoZzSgmuEckE6UWZyVBnmvdvcAzteZrgzri9fkINzzGMKydSfC05Y4zsBF_JkEoSCZp/s1600/2616_2540_622_115.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jp7LkAAljfSoPijIxAA7iNpBFayvSqHYpV5LJQcP-bmLIBSG9C3Dtv_0GSNZN2PMCktYaIeRCZoZzSgmuEckE6UWZyVBnmvdvcAzteZrgzri9fkINzzGMKydSfC05Y4zsBF_JkEoSCZp/s400/2616_2540_622_115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Logan-Pharos, IA. - May 24, 1920</b></span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A July 22, 1939 Billboard article on the New York World's Fair indicated that Billy Rose had been engaged to bring his Motordrome "Wall of Death" attraction to the Fair. There was no mention of Lena in the article. It did also state that Rose operated a Motordrome attraction at Coney Island from 1909-1910. and that Rose "is said to be the originator of the portable Motordrome." There is a single photograph of the Rose's Motordrome from the 1938 World's Fair, but it is under copyright. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Regardless of what happened to Lena Rose, she was a veteran performer of the earliest Motordrome Thrill Shows in the country and helped start the tradition of women Wall of Death performers that continues to this day.</div>
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<b>Sources:</b></div>
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<b>Billboard Magazine</b></div>
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<b>Birmingham Public Library Archives</b></div>
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<b>Birmingham News</b></div>
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<b>Lead, SD. Daily Call</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://durhamcountylibrary.org/exhibits/dhpa/photo_archives/d/d096.php">Durham County Library</a></b></div>
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<b>Motorcycle Illustrated</b></div>
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<b>Nashville Tennessean</b></div>
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<b>New York Times</b></div>
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<b>O. V. Hunt Collection</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/">Paul d' Orleans @ The Vintagent</a></b></div>
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<b>Washington Post</b></div>
</div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-27041792803748871552015-11-01T12:54:00.003-08:002022-01-12T10:20:00.681-08:00Twice Around the Clock at the Stadium Motordrome - Episode #37<div><b>November 1, 2015</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>
<b>By: David L. Morrill</b></div>
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<b>@MototiqueRacing</b></div><div><b>Sylacauga, Alabama</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVdnB3RCJnGkgjjdu71gfpZ3pbmkmmVWOZIOipEkwq2AYDQ_FXDmm1vSzooUZOBSb4I6ufBYQTKJlOYwlkgyMxcZWEJE8JUBUf33EeLzx1vXeNIYUnx-gdft7l7hsVWewfNvvXDeHz_7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-29+at+12.51.17+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVdnB3RCJnGkgjjdu71gfpZ3pbmkmmVWOZIOipEkwq2AYDQ_FXDmm1vSzooUZOBSb4I6ufBYQTKJlOYwlkgyMxcZWEJE8JUBUf33EeLzx1vXeNIYUnx-gdft7l7hsVWewfNvvXDeHz_7/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-10-29+at+12.51.17+PM.png" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - October 3, 1912<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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By the fall of 1912, an exciting new sport was sweeping the country. Motordrome racing featured top motorcycle racers from around the country competing on steeply banked circular board tracks, called "Saucer" tracks for their round shape. Motordromes were built in major cities across the country and were typically 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile in length. They could seat crowds of up to ten thousand spectators in bleachers that surrounded the top of the tracks, and electric lighting allowed night racing. The best motorcycle racers in the country were hired to race on them.<br />
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New York City boasted two of the new Motordromes just a short distance from the city. The Vailsburg Park Motordrome was in Newark, New Jersey, and the Stadium Motordrome was located in Brighton Beach, New York. These tracks were popular and drew large crowds to races held several days a week.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - September 1912<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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That changed on September 8, 1921, when popular racers Eddie Hasha, and Johnny Albright, were killed, along with six spectators in a crash at the Vailsburg Park Motordrome in Newark.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>New York Times - September 9, 1912</b></span></td></tr>
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Newark City Father's quickly closed the track and banned motorcycle racing from the city. The Brighton Beach track stayed closed for a week in respect to the deaths of the spectators, and the two riders, who had also regularly competed at the Brighton Beach track.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2s-bQgBiaWPdDsDGS8Vrxdqb0IJXha8FETlElADyiV-aGFWGBeHh-IZrkO6MZd4_eZsFaXMI_iZjTl6Xm_nlIEx6XFqdj4e7doFxBiQdF0H3Fv5htDf64sjhHQWpOdsCdn1qFCiIVcdZ/s1600/Brighton_Beach_Motordrome%252C_also_known_as_the_Brighton_Beach_Stadium_in_1915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2s-bQgBiaWPdDsDGS8Vrxdqb0IJXha8FETlElADyiV-aGFWGBeHh-IZrkO6MZd4_eZsFaXMI_iZjTl6Xm_nlIEx6XFqdj4e7doFxBiQdF0H3Fv5htDf64sjhHQWpOdsCdn1qFCiIVcdZ/s400/Brighton_Beach_Motordrome%252C_also_known_as_the_Brighton_Beach_Stadium_in_1915.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stadium Motordrome - Brighton Beach, New York<br />Library of Congress Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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When the Stadium Motordrome reopened a week later, it was announced that a "Twice Around the Clock" 24 hour motorcycle race would be held at the track on September 20-21. The purse was a $5500, with the winning team of two riders receiving $2500 and a Gold Championship Cup. This was a princely sum, at a time when major races might pay $500 in gold for a win and was clearly an attempt to draw crowds back to the track, after the tragic crash at Newark. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspjaJEcMnKeENdxTsAQevKzW_HuSjnPTJPIsGV_zCLcXV1fic4dnc9jg_u7Coc_VwBu_szWSgF98D9eKRYZSw8fhYWXhGR86X96Bs_3TToMNVZkcO5LLYMtBABbZTf0zbdL_fgwUt15C7/s1600/4090_4689_649_365.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspjaJEcMnKeENdxTsAQevKzW_HuSjnPTJPIsGV_zCLcXV1fic4dnc9jg_u7Coc_VwBu_szWSgF98D9eKRYZSw8fhYWXhGR86X96Bs_3TToMNVZkcO5LLYMtBABbZTf0zbdL_fgwUt15C7/s320/4090_4689_649_365.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brooklyn Daily Eagle - September 1912<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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<b>A total of five teams, with two riders sharing each, bike would compete in the race: </b></div>
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<b>Billy Shields & George Lochner - Indian</b></div>
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<b>John Cox & James McNeil - J.A.P.</b></div>
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<b>Arthur Chapple & George Spencer - Indian</b></div>
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<b> Billy Wray & William Vanderbury - Indian</b></div>
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<b> H. H. Thomas & Ray Veditz - Indian</b></div>
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Earle Eckle & Herbert Ayrault were not initially entered in the event but would play a part in the later stages of the race. All the teams rode Indian Motocycles, except the team of John Cox & James McNeil who shared a J.A.P. powered racer. </div>
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Many racers, and fans, thought this was a foolhardy endeavor, as Motordrome races typically lasted no more than an hour or two. These races rarely involved pits stops for refueling, repairs, or rider changes. Many thought the fast, but delicate racing bikes of the time, would only last a few hours. Just how long the racing tires of that day would last on the steep wooden banking was another unknown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLHE5d-WTG-moO6q8rZYe2grGtY5ShD2c1VImLX94IgoB7VBoxhYB1EGlF8yFjbHxwDbLNFZRKUb6sp4NvH40u_R5okSCD8JkBenZ9OJaeJJ1ZUHFwghdPbbNcS64TO3bDfjKnmHOHQrT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-30+at+1.30.09+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLHE5d-WTG-moO6q8rZYe2grGtY5ShD2c1VImLX94IgoB7VBoxhYB1EGlF8yFjbHxwDbLNFZRKUb6sp4NvH40u_R5okSCD8JkBenZ9OJaeJJ1ZUHFwghdPbbNcS64TO3bDfjKnmHOHQrT/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-30+at+1.30.09+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stadium Motordrome 24 Hour Competitors<br />Motorcycle Illustrated - October 3, 1912<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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At 10:10 PM on September 20th, 1912, a starter's pistol was fired and a crowd of ten thousand spectators watched as the five teams of riders took to the track. The team of George Lochner & Billy Shields, riding an Indian, quickly jumped in the lead, with the other teams in hot pursuit. At the end of the first hour Lochner & Shields led, with Chapple & Spencer in second, and Cox & McNeil in third.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzR8ooRx28YHDqsidceq9aOFmj73MOlGlk3ge99MeIHW7yINzRZys_iRSZ7AAQZEWhbzFDGZgFgf-SgpZ2ru7GlBDH1vmGr2piIFX3yQoVz4j3d1f81OxL3wfchTo54i5T3Em3utOdkgTy/s1600/img-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzR8ooRx28YHDqsidceq9aOFmj73MOlGlk3ge99MeIHW7yINzRZys_iRSZ7AAQZEWhbzFDGZgFgf-SgpZ2ru7GlBDH1vmGr2piIFX3yQoVz4j3d1f81OxL3wfchTo54i5T3Em3utOdkgTy/s1600/img-1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brooklyn Daily Eagle - September 22, 1912<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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While many thought the machines were the weak link, it was some of the riders, who were not up to the task at hand. At the six-hour point, the team of Thomas & Veditz retired from the race. As the sun rose on the September 21st, many riders were complaining of leg cramps, and kidney pain. The track physician found that John Cox was having heart palpitations, and he was retired from the event.<br />
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This is the point where the race scoring started to get complicated. All the teams would spend the next 3 hours in the pits, to rest. During this break in racing, Eckle & Ayrault, were sent out on the track to keep the crowd occupied. At the end of the three-hour break, Eckle was allowed to team with McNeil on the J.A.P. This was the first of several shifts in the makeup riders of the teams. At the tenth hour Vanderbury retired, so Wray teamed with Veditz. At the twentieth hour, both Veditz and Spencer retired, leaving Wray to finish the race with Chapple.<br />
<br />
When 10:10 PM on September 21st rolled around, Shields & Lochner on an Indian, having completed 21 hours of racing, won the race. They were followed by McNeil & Eckle in second on the J.A.P., with Chapple & Wray in third on an Indian. Many spectators were not satisfied with the final results, and complained Eckle had been teamed with McNeil, and Eckle did not start the race. The racers were just too exhausted to make a serious issue of the final results. It was however clear to everyone, that the winning team of Shields & Lochner could have easily gone the full 24 hours.<br />
<br />
Confusion also arouses over how many miles the top three teams had traveled during their 21 hours of racing. The winning team of Lochner & Shields were credited with having traveled 1374 miles plus two laps, some 4124 laps, around the 1/3-mile track. It was learned track officials had estimated the number of laps each team would have traveled during the 3-hour safety break, and that number of laps was added to each team's total mileage. The Goodyear Tire Company used those mileage totals in their post-race advertising.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERK8te721J8JlkeFc-Tbic31Ckg58p-e0bWdJsi3J7yKBGYYZ_CIf1kubI8QAA1jzXBjFwy8aiECiRKF7Za-bgmcDoeh5XX54cXuoK5y3MNWQbYjoLqrHwYhICrUeMYdVjU2D86IYm_DH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+2.08.06+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERK8te721J8JlkeFc-Tbic31Ckg58p-e0bWdJsi3J7yKBGYYZ_CIf1kubI8QAA1jzXBjFwy8aiECiRKF7Za-bgmcDoeh5XX54cXuoK5y3MNWQbYjoLqrHwYhICrUeMYdVjU2D86IYm_DH/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+2.08.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Goodyear Tire Ad <br />Motorcycle illustrated - October 3, 1912<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Despite the questions, race officials finalized the results, the prizes were distributed, and the first, and probably only 21 Hour Motordrome Race slipped into history. The toll this race took on all the riders, was captured in a local newspaper photograph of an exhausted Arthur Chapple taken after the race.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojcDaQ0FwPB4yJHVs8m7GYF5BMhAPPLNnZQ0itJFr2rUxK6qNptAQ2f3H8i05g3H24DOmdz8hFY9IbIm3sIi1a1Jwe10UlsLQr7GdbXJF4DDjNDzTDdOS-hBJBCaOWR9yJ4jSqwsDRddz/s1600/img.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojcDaQ0FwPB4yJHVs8m7GYF5BMhAPPLNnZQ0itJFr2rUxK6qNptAQ2f3H8i05g3H24DOmdz8hFY9IbIm3sIi1a1Jwe10UlsLQr7GdbXJF4DDjNDzTDdOS-hBJBCaOWR9yJ4jSqwsDRddz/s640/img.jpeg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brooklyn Daily Eagle - September 22, 1912</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Sources:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Brooklyn Daily Eagle</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Library of Congress Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Motorcycle Illustrated</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>New York Times</b>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-45859011145301602542015-10-22T09:54:00.003-07:002022-01-12T10:21:57.502-08:00How Racing Teams Worked 100 Years Ago - Episode #36<div><b>October 22, 2015</b></div><div><b>Updated - December 31, 2015</b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Sylacauga, Alabama<br /></b>
<b><br /></b></div><div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCsX65SgfPgriNRjVxPmGqrW2A8YnFW1T6YOsO7wOauv4UZEKuN6UCqNPhtsej1vCmYBcURFlROFBPhNzHZOwWi0Da1S58TbqFopRtJNcn1nonhtKbbajwXKSdZfajX2t9jZ7HEZpf-L7/s1600/11406182_1453002365016293_2673291714218618635_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCsX65SgfPgriNRjVxPmGqrW2A8YnFW1T6YOsO7wOauv4UZEKuN6UCqNPhtsej1vCmYBcURFlROFBPhNzHZOwWi0Da1S58TbqFopRtJNcn1nonhtKbbajwXKSdZfajX2t9jZ7HEZpf-L7/s400/11406182_1453002365016293_2673291714218618635_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Indian Racing Team Fort Erie, Ontario - July 1911<br />Chris Price @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/archivemoto/timeline">Archive Moto</a><br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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This photo was originally shared by Chris Price of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/archivemoto?fref=photo">Archive Moto</a>. According to Chris, it shows the Indian Racing Team Camp, known as the Wigwam, at the FAM Championship Race held at Fort Erie, Ontario in July 1911.<br />
<br />
This enhanced section of the above photo was shared by Marcello Villada. It gives us a rare glimpse into the logistics of professional motorcycle racing in the early teens. It shows Indian Racing Team members, along with the shipping crates for their race bikes. So how did this work?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vx8v3etTHAkanAQyLaBVcUuvcclAt8PCP8e_hT_kScwarxyBOcbyaK6tgzuHcuy-XjJh_fEpd7PX6O4W9umItMAnYUvuchLJLbUwbQLuwBCdC8Z_O2pAnkz6ypw8z6XA1hXPnTTDA_Sr/s1600/12107115_10206053536072044_4224949713676287220_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vx8v3etTHAkanAQyLaBVcUuvcclAt8PCP8e_hT_kScwarxyBOcbyaK6tgzuHcuy-XjJh_fEpd7PX6O4W9umItMAnYUvuchLJLbUwbQLuwBCdC8Z_O2pAnkz6ypw8z6XA1hXPnTTDA_Sr/s400/12107115_10206053536072044_4224949713676287220_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Marcello Villada Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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The various motorcycle companies involved in racing, would prepare their bikes at their race shops. Once the bikes were prepared, they would be loaded into the crates shown in the photo, for shipping.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SSemQjXcDpUTYCaqKH8gcqGXBUsw2_4xxJM6WfF3ZbbgI_7ir6m1dPvK8LlNPrtfuXTAwrshKzQ_jj68y0FDUNWY6C3OPaZErAJGFIJNMptJGcZwn1z37V62IuIAGZn6On18NYx8qF9D/s1600/Maldwyn+Jones.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SSemQjXcDpUTYCaqKH8gcqGXBUsw2_4xxJM6WfF3ZbbgI_7ir6m1dPvK8LlNPrtfuXTAwrshKzQ_jj68y0FDUNWY6C3OPaZErAJGFIJNMptJGcZwn1z37V62IuIAGZn6On18NYx8qF9D/s400/Maldwyn+Jones.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Maldwyn Jones and his Flying Merkel Racer</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> with his shipping crate - 1914</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Ralph Goins Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bikes were then shipped by rail, accompanied by mechanics, to the races which were held across the country.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPACZRpSWHRxMx1XqVxEoqMu1ilWGI7S-ZpI4ElYCbX_gEDr2xQFkxnuKixlNEvYqBxPeT3ZzB2myCmmt6-oILDWwxiUGb6E2A4Woecb_jgeDdA7UXS3_d5CDSCViORP7LdLGt8YU0Jo7t/s1600/644187_606134512747109_93665388_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPACZRpSWHRxMx1XqVxEoqMu1ilWGI7S-ZpI4ElYCbX_gEDr2xQFkxnuKixlNEvYqBxPeT3ZzB2myCmmt6-oILDWwxiUGb6E2A4Woecb_jgeDdA7UXS3_d5CDSCViORP7LdLGt8YU0Jo7t/s400/644187_606134512747109_93665388_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Indian 8 Valve Racer<br />Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum Collection</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In the meantime, the racing team members would receive telegrams instructing them to travel to the races, by rail, and arrive on a specific date. When the bikes arrived at the rail depot of the towns, where the races were held, the were transported to the track by either truck, of by horse drawn livery wagons. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBHC3wDHlyp69ChCpmfUOnRXed-7B5XPowLd_dMVEusEfAV66ND1j0CncyGobS_XIoZGx7oCIk_fJ9iTbRuYReQ5dV74ZgE_x-k6otH4izqZvZu5zqFKNPIkl4ZXUvpNof_zeiOOw76qr/s1600/Harley+Dodge+City.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBHC3wDHlyp69ChCpmfUOnRXed-7B5XPowLd_dMVEusEfAV66ND1j0CncyGobS_XIoZGx7oCIk_fJ9iTbRuYReQ5dV74ZgE_x-k6otH4izqZvZu5zqFKNPIkl4ZXUvpNof_zeiOOw76qr/s400/Harley+Dodge+City.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Harley Racers headed to the Dodge City Races</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">R. I. Jones Collection</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the races were over, the bike were then returned to the factories, and the riders returned to their home cities.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This is a rare glimpse behind the scenes of professional motorcycle racing over 100 years ago!<br />
<br />
<b>Sources:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><a href="http://www.barbermuseum.org/">Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Collection</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="http://www.caimag.com/forum/forum.php">Classic American Iron</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Chris Price @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/archivemoto/timeline">Archive Moto</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Marcello Villada Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ralph Goins Collection</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-13681573207993453882015-09-16T05:54:00.000-07:002018-11-22T09:31:00.634-08:00Press Release #7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>By: David L. Morrill</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>@ Mototique</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAdxAWh_p8cZxFQAV1JuBwJkc6LItypgQG4WQf5LA40_WRP4ZHI1dSFM9G1U__yWvEHjn5hLVkX8rLYWPKmcL_XlL_C4X89v9qSQfzawqaJ-a6WIfjQOcJvMd6O0FEzOqbS69b8BeUCEE/s1600/4304501646_J3MQJrk-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAdxAWh_p8cZxFQAV1JuBwJkc6LItypgQG4WQf5LA40_WRP4ZHI1dSFM9G1U__yWvEHjn5hLVkX8rLYWPKmcL_XlL_C4X89v9qSQfzawqaJ-a6WIfjQOcJvMd6O0FEzOqbS69b8BeUCEE/s400/4304501646_J3MQJrk-L.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A big thank you to the folks at <a href="http://www.metrojacksonville.com/">MetroJacksonville.com</a> (Jacksonville Beach, Florida) for including a photo, and a link to Deadly Dave's Blog in their recent story <a href="http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-aug-8-facts-you-didnt-know-about-our-beaches">8 Facts You Didn't Know About Our Beaches</a>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="mailto:metrojacksonville@metrojacksonville.com">8 Facts You Didn't Know About Our Beaches</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To read the story on Jacksonville, FL. early motorcycle racers Jonathan Yerkes and Bert Camplejohn click on the link below:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2013/06/jonathan-yerkes-bert-camplejohn.html">Jonathan Yerkes & Bert Camplejohn - Jacksonville's Early Racing Champions - Episode #14</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Sources:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bicycling World & Motorcycle review</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>MetroJacksonville.com</b></div>
</div>
Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-4333155774170696682015-07-10T07:08:00.003-07:002022-01-12T10:24:22.688-08:00100 Years Ago Today - Episode # 35<div><b>July 7, 2015</b></div><div><b>Updated - August 6, 2015</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Sylacauga, Alabama<br /></b>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GZwfmorefDXO4VyTTlQP8LoiUBsQ-NiMwVzJHYM2BWEFWveJbvRBTByetMmdJRioctOrfr62r_CjVjxCeM8bXiaTNw1whIYJaQPWwPUE3RsC8Vsotu_dASgEltQrYQ5pW0bC4HbAAgaP/s1600/Indian+Motorcycle+and+Uncle+Gene+001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GZwfmorefDXO4VyTTlQP8LoiUBsQ-NiMwVzJHYM2BWEFWveJbvRBTByetMmdJRioctOrfr62r_CjVjxCeM8bXiaTNw1whIYJaQPWwPUE3RsC8Vsotu_dASgEltQrYQ5pW0bC4HbAAgaP/s640/Indian+Motorcycle+and+Uncle+Gene+001.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gene Walker at Bob Stubbs Indian Dealership in Birmingham, AL. ca. 1913<br />Furman Family Collection</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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<b></b>100 Years ago today, a young Birmingham, Alabama motorcycle mail clerk, took his first step towards becoming one of the most accomplished professional motorcycle racers of his time.<br />
<br />
On July 10, 1915, Gene Walker won the Five Mile National Championship Race at Saratoga, New York. This was Walker's first season as a member of the Indian Motocycle's Factory Racing Team.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbQlcaXN_2m9owJ58X5gXk53ttrZ2OndSY9pqSTR8pZSvCtFc9j7XEEhJJyafRo6e22NKYUkIIQ470_EkUw3_qHRPdx1W8eeIzTp3nY3Z7SVNq4f1wr2-Hz5Z1g7zIZ2QWtI-NRDRj9ZO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-01+at+4.05.19+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbQlcaXN_2m9owJ58X5gXk53ttrZ2OndSY9pqSTR8pZSvCtFc9j7XEEhJJyafRo6e22NKYUkIIQ470_EkUw3_qHRPdx1W8eeIzTp3nY3Z7SVNq4f1wr2-Hz5Z1g7zIZ2QWtI-NRDRj9ZO/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-01+at+4.05.19+PM.png" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - July 15, 1915</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYZ_bw0lWuxyZ6hmtoC48C1NwZ1LKoINkC-ngAWUPV82HvbU4JGdYaI-WaCHgBx1pNUXVvqyqTvUdahx8i9haNopmwN7mNHIGX-xlckBc0cdE-jpYEdLlskzzSMNZ2h2JqIsyXv-f0YUn/s1600/img.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYZ_bw0lWuxyZ6hmtoC48C1NwZ1LKoINkC-ngAWUPV82HvbU4JGdYaI-WaCHgBx1pNUXVvqyqTvUdahx8i9haNopmwN7mNHIGX-xlckBc0cdE-jpYEdLlskzzSMNZ2h2JqIsyXv-f0YUn/s400/img.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pittsburgh, PA. Daily Post - July 11, 1915<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During his ten-year racing career, Walker won 19 National Championships, numerous non championship races, and set track records at racetracks across the country.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T0iGTRGqyImq5T25AxnQ5sYOHpj-ZYZJ49RYctkFM5tJj2BWEkKaYhfurr2tHaNCX8zTvEeRu9yte9bYDOW-xhfM9hGgj0KA9wxLhFcSTi3RdaU4JmqKP0l62ubME0z6RCczzPMWaiIo/s1600/img-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T0iGTRGqyImq5T25AxnQ5sYOHpj-ZYZJ49RYctkFM5tJj2BWEkKaYhfurr2tHaNCX8zTvEeRu9yte9bYDOW-xhfM9hGgj0KA9wxLhFcSTi3RdaU4JmqKP0l62ubME0z6RCczzPMWaiIo/s640/img-2.jpeg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Atlanta Constitution - September 1919</b></span></td></tr>
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In April 1920, he set the first officially recognized motorcycle land speed record for Indian at Ormond Beach, Florida.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9ml4GQRkW9lPYkGklLfxswG4umOurUAqTIjReYqDCOU5y2jVkNkQ1_K0ICRigrJazxXd4DamkBkge8BwZcSJ9ZifIeaFDDmwz4Iwm4_TJuMe5VGPw1qXGMTP5zDNs6Tlvzq225D9Y2_N/s1600/1378189_514604225281993_1650686167_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9ml4GQRkW9lPYkGklLfxswG4umOurUAqTIjReYqDCOU5y2jVkNkQ1_K0ICRigrJazxXd4DamkBkge8BwZcSJ9ZifIeaFDDmwz4Iwm4_TJuMe5VGPw1qXGMTP5zDNs6Tlvzq225D9Y2_N/s640/1378189_514604225281993_1650686167_n.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Indian Motocycles Wigwam News - May 1920</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfqAF1gmV1IueTlOy6vjD2X-epFkPU2V1basgMyElTMw6U1aVq9s3DI_RFIULa2CyWwVG_HOhyC0faaKyHMyH4jWBVhDAdt4VAg6iiUIEqhaRk55Psqxce-POA3tvkpAB3I6rqzBfaruI/s1600/G+Walker+Indian+Ad+4-1920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfqAF1gmV1IueTlOy6vjD2X-epFkPU2V1basgMyElTMw6U1aVq9s3DI_RFIULa2CyWwVG_HOhyC0faaKyHMyH4jWBVhDAdt4VAg6iiUIEqhaRk55Psqxce-POA3tvkpAB3I6rqzBfaruI/s640/G+Walker+Indian+Ad+4-1920.jpg" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Indian Motocycle Ad - 1920</b></span></td></tr>
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Walker died of injuries sustained in a practice crash in June 1924 at the age of thirty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Birmingham, AL. News - June 1924</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnOOYMz8zTEXtCJek27wmoHvwtigPuMd-TUxe5rmkdhSm7yG65t4w_zevBxnQRGSx5ySMnKpPLceciU519OND_UIvJjgS31dhYHZtpqHZ5JDrt1Ir02npIAUr7oVzH4zPJeUeGN-Khvki/s1600/Indian+Ad.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnOOYMz8zTEXtCJek27wmoHvwtigPuMd-TUxe5rmkdhSm7yG65t4w_zevBxnQRGSx5ySMnKpPLceciU519OND_UIvJjgS31dhYHZtpqHZ5JDrt1Ir02npIAUr7oVzH4zPJeUeGN-Khvki/s640/Indian+Ad.png" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Indian Motocycle Memorial Ad - June 1924</b></span></td></tr>
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Gene Walker was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association's Hall of fame in 1998.<br />
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<a href="http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=289">Gene Walker - AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame</a></div>
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To read more about Gene Walker's career please check out <b>Gene Walker, Birmingham's Lost racing Champion - Episode #2 @</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2012/07/gene-walker-birminghams-lost-racing.html">Gene Walker, Birmingham's Lost Racing Champion - Episode #2</a></b></div>
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<b>Sources:</b><br />
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<b>Atlanta, GA. Constitution</b><br />
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<b>Birmingham, AL. News</b></div>
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<b>Furman Family Collection</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Gene Walker, Birmingham's Lost Racing Champion - Episode 2</b><br />
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<b>Hendee Manufacturing Company - Indian Motocycles</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Indian Motocycle Wigwam News</b><br />
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<b>Motorcycle illustrated</b></div>
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<b>Pittsburgh, PA. Daily Post</b></div>
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</div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-23313472982395027852015-05-14T05:43:00.003-07:002022-01-12T10:29:37.330-08:00Mooresville, North Carolina's Gray Sloop - Episode #34<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-family: Arial; min-height: 23px; text-align: left;"><b>May 14, 2015</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial; min-height: 23px; text-align: left;"><b>Updated - May 20, 2015</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial; min-height: 23px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial; min-height: 23px; text-align: left;"><b>By: David L. Morrill</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial; min-height: 23px; text-align: left;">
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial; min-height: 23px; text-align: left;"><b>Sylacauga, Alabama</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mooresville, North Carolina's Gray Sloop<br />Specht's Harley-Davidson Birmingham, Alabama<br />O.V. Hunt Collection - July 1914 (cropped)</b></span></td></tr>
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Several years ago, I was researching the 1913 & 14 Savannah 300 Road Races for another episode. I ran across O. C. Stonestreet's article <b>Gray Sloop, Motorcycle Racer.</b> Gray Sloop of Mooresville, North Carolina was one of two riders killed in racing accidents during the 1914 Savannah 300 Mile Road Race. Mr. Stonestreet incorporated the article as a Chapter in his book <b>They Called Iredell County Home, </b>and it is shared here with his permission<b>. </b>Thank you, Mr. Stonestreet, for sharing your work.</div>
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<b style="font-size: 16px;">Gray Sloop, Motorcycle Racer</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>By: O. C. Stonestreet</b></span></div>
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After referring to itself as "Port City of Lake Norman," for some time now Mooresville, North Carolina, has taken to calling itself "Race City, USA." Nearly a century ago there was a Mooresville man whose life and achievements might serve to bolster Mooresville's new sobriquet. His name was Gray Sloop.</div>
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Gray Sloop was born in Mooresville in August of 1889, the only son of Augustus J. and Dovie Ann Sloop. Gray's father passed away in July of 1904, leaving the 15-year-old as the man of the family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Parade in Downtown Moooresville, N.C. - 1911<br />Gray Sloop with Indian Motocycle (far right)<br />O. C. Stonestreet Collection</b></span></td></tr>
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It is unclear just when young Sloop began making a name for himself in racing circles, but he was well-established as a motor sportsman by 1913. In late June of that year he left for Elgin, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, to participate in the Elgin Motorcycle Race to be held on the Fourth of July.</div>
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This race was described as a 250-mile contest over an eight-mile course and was billed as the first nationally sanctioned motorcycle race and also the first 250-mile motorcycle race in the United States.</div>
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At the time of the Elgin race Sloop was riding a Reading- Standard cycle, specially built for him by the company in Reading, Pa. Mooresville's weekly newspaper, <i>The Enterprise</i>, noted, "Mr. Sloop is the only man from the South entering the [Elgin] races, so far, and we predict for him one or more of the capital prizes." First prize in the Elgin Race was $500 in gold and a two-foot-tall trophy, the “V Ray Cup.”</div>
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The Statesville <i>Landmark </i>carried more information about the coming race. "<i>The Motorcycle</i>, a magazine published in Springfield, Mass., in its latest issue, speaking of the unusually strong line-up for the national motorcycle race at Elgin, Ill., on July the Fourth, said, after giving a list of the most important entrants, ‘One of the latest entries to be received is from Mooresville, N.C., and is signed “Gray Sloop.” This entry puzzled the contest committee for some time and Chairman Hill was inclined to believe that someone had worked in a yacht by mistake until he looked into the matter. Then he learned that Gray Sloop is a youngster who sprang from nowhere this year and romped off with the motorcycle championship of North Carolina. Sloop will ride a Reading Standard machine in the Elgin race, and he is being talked of as a dark horse who is likely to spring surprises.’" Sloop didn't win at Elgin, but that didn't stop him.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4LV-a-0c5Kym6HKdlSM8S2FopoAsBZNpYXEWRImfhW29iFAErGXx-h3NHR8yCebgGjIh7B5w-FeX9LrhzU89ZWWSutxYlyl8KqwBWp_Nnni5x3BMKvYMWwgzNu-f6vG7QmTuRvx2D6-R/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-14+at+7.17.29+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4LV-a-0c5Kym6HKdlSM8S2FopoAsBZNpYXEWRImfhW29iFAErGXx-h3NHR8yCebgGjIh7B5w-FeX9LrhzU89ZWWSutxYlyl8KqwBWp_Nnni5x3BMKvYMWwgzNu-f6vG7QmTuRvx2D6-R/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-05-14+at+7.17.29+AM.png" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle illustrated - June 1914</b></span></td></tr>
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The race was won by a Texan, Charles "Fearless" Balke, who, with a blistering average speed of 55 mph over public roads, led an Indian Motorcycles sweep of the first five finishing positions. Out of 45 cyclists who had registered for the Elgin race, 43 began it and just ten completed it.</div>
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Sloop was not among those completing the course. According to a Chicago newspaper, Sloop had to make the eighth-mile qualifying run three times before he qualified, this due to brake malfunctions. His troubles continued during the actual race. “Sloop dropped out of the race,” reported the paper, “in the twentieth lap, after breaking over ten chains on his machine. The chains were the cause of many falls of the different riders, none of whom were injured.”</div>
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On June 8, 1914, just short of his 23rd birthday, “Fearless” Balke was killed in an accident at the Hawthorne dirt track near Chicago. Motorcycle racing was a dangerous business.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1fPd1gxAlxznAuWFss0k33tqbSKILcRkMZSHZRb_Bb46C1fAiLyqwMLiCMS2nnrFZKQ3f79C4Ynf3a5TQTGP3L43vRtlfZnnNUbLu92CZ3s6pTs5rAiKXl75RsQ5Aqv516GLHCoLQSA3/s1600/img.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1fPd1gxAlxznAuWFss0k33tqbSKILcRkMZSHZRb_Bb46C1fAiLyqwMLiCMS2nnrFZKQ3f79C4Ynf3a5TQTGP3L43vRtlfZnnNUbLu92CZ3s6pTs5rAiKXl75RsQ5Aqv516GLHCoLQSA3/s400/img.jpeg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Chicago Tribune - June 6, 1914</b></span></td></tr>
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In early July of the next year Gray Sloop did very well in what was billed as the "Southern Championship Race" from Birmingham to Atlanta and back, an endurance race. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gray Sloop - July 1914<br />Chris Price@Georgia Motorcycle History</b></span></td></tr>
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By this time Sloop was not only riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, but he was also selling them in Mooresville.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gray Sloop Harley-Davidson Ad<br />Mooresville, N.C. Enterprise - 1914</b></span></td></tr>
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Reported <i>The Enterprise</i>, "Mr. Gray Sloop returned Tuesday night from Birmingham, Ala., where he participated in the Fourth of July motorcycle races. He won not only first place, but the world's championship, making the total distance of 462 miles from Birmingham to Atlanta and return in 12 hours and 20 minutes. While in route he had twelve changes of tires and changed one wheel. His part of the prize money was considerable."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Entrants in the 1914 Birmingham Ledger Endurance Run<br />O. V. Hunt - 1914 </b></span></td></tr>
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Later that same month Sloop and his modified Harley took on Charlotte's Archie Templeton, piloting an Indian motorbike, in a two-contestant, 226-mile race from Charlotte to Columbia, S.C., and back, for a $200 prize </div>
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Templeton completed the second half of the race, about 113 miles, in 2 hours and 56 minutes, whereas Sloop had trouble with his French racing motor just four miles short of the finish line in downtown Charlotte.<br />
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It is interesting to note that both Templeton and Sloop were "on their own" when it came to avoiding speeding tickets, other traffic and other "unforeseen difficulties." At the Charlotte finish line, where about a thousand spectators had gathered, Templeton graciously remarked to Sloop, "Hard luck, old man. You raced a good race." Sloop replied in kind, "Same back at you. A little hard luck on my part, but you deserve full glory for the race."</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px;">Next, we hear of Sloop as the big winner of the professional 50-mile race held on Labor Day, 1914, on the Isle of Palms, near Charleston, S.C. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gray Sloop - Isle of Palms, SC. - September 8, 1914<br />Chris Price@Georgia Motorcycle History</b></span></td></tr>
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"Riding against time on a Harley-Davidson," reported <i>The Enterprise</i> of September 10, 1914, "he rode one mile at the speed of 92 miles an hour. His winning time was 55 minutes and 45 seconds, with 20 hairpin turns, which gives him the championship of North and South Carolina."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - September 17, 1914<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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It is a wonder that Sloop did so well, as about a week prior to the Isle of Palms race, Sloop was in an accident with his motorbike and two-horse surrey wagon in Mooresville. </div>
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"Mr. Sloop," <i>The Enterprise</i> informed its readers, "was knocked senseless to the ground by the impact from the tongue of the surrey. His left arm struck the pole, and the muscles were cut pretty severely. While down, a horse stepped on his hip. "After regaining consciousness, Sloop somehow managed to get back on his cycle, which was relatively undamaged, and get medical help. The young man certainly had grit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Harley-Davidson Ad featuring Gray Sloop<br />Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - September 22, 1914</b></span></td></tr>
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Sloop's last race was run on Thanksgiving Day, 1914. It was the Savannah 300 Road Race in Savannah, Georgia. This was only the second time the race had been held, and Sloop had ridden in the previous year’s race. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Harley-Davidson Racing Team - 1914 Savannah 300 Mile Road Race<br />Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - December 1, 1914<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">The course wound through the city and consisted of 27 laps of 11 miles. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1913/14 Savannah 300 Race Course</b></span></td></tr>
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Holding third place, Sloop had just completed the third lap when he lost control of his Harley, the same machine on which he had won the Isle of Palms Race and ran over a small embankment was hurled through the air. He broke his back, neck, hip and leg and was dead when assistance reached him.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Gray Sloop (right) on the backstretch shortly before his fatal crash<br />Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - December 8, 1914<br /></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Thus ended the life of the 25-year-old motorcycle racing enthusiast from Iredell County.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - November 26, 1914</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<i>The Enterprise</i> quoted a Savannah newspaper:</div>
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"An examination made after the race showed a broken handlebar had been the cause of the accident which cost the life of Sloop. It was found Sloop had fallen on Norwood Avenue and cracked the right side of his handlebar. On Dale Avenue the bar had cracked completely off and Sloop entered the dangerous curve at Waters Road and Estill Avenue with only the left half of the handlebar to his machine. "When he ran into the rough ground, this caused him to lose control. He was thrown from his machine and went into the air. "When descending the back of his neck struck a guy wire with such force as to cause a fracture of the neck. He then dropped between the machine and the tree. During the investigation after the race the piece of broken handlebar which had fallen from Sloop's machine was found on Dale Avenue by members of the Harley-Davidson racing stable."</div>
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His death fell like a pall over his hometown. Twenty-five young men of the town met the train carrying his body from Savannah to Charlotte and from the Queen City escorted his remains home to Mooresville. His grave in Willow Valley Cemetery was covered with flowers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gray Sloop's Headstone<br />Willow Valley Cemetery - Mooresville, N.C.</b></span></td></tr>
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"For many years he had been the dependence of his widowed mother and his [two] sisters, and the burden of grief falls heavy upon them," reported <i>The Enterprise</i>, which also referred to his handsome appearance, his affable and congenial spirit, and his simple life of purity and nobility.</div>
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His racing skills and potential in the new sport were known and admired to such an extent that an article reporting his demise was carried in the <i>New York Times</i>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>New York Times - November 27, 1914</b></span></td></tr>
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Although his name is unknown there today, Gray Sloop was the first to make Mooresville, “Race City, USA.”</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Epilogue</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">:</b><br />
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Zeddie Kelly of the Savannah Motorcycle Club, sponsor of the race, lead the first five laps of the race, when he stopped for a spark plug problem. Kelly quickly reentered the race, but was severely injured on lap nineteen, when his Harley-Davidson left the track, and struck a tree. He died of his injuries the next day and was buried at laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah. Kelly's death brought the death toll of the race to two, and the bad publicity in newspapers around the country, led to the cancellation of a proposed 1915 race.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Savannah's Zeddie Kelly shortly before his fatal crash<br />Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review December 15, 1914</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wilmington, N.C. Morning star - November 28, 1914</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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<b>O. C. Stonestreet,</b> is an Iredell County, North Carolina native, is a Navy Veteran and a retired public-school history and social studies teacher. He lives in Statesville, N.C., with his wife Judy, and writes a regular column for the Statesville Record & Landmark newspaper. Mr. Stonestreet is also the author of <b>They Called Iredell County Home</b>, which is available through Amazon.com.</div>
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<b>References:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b> "Will Enter the Big Race" Mooresville Enterprise, June 5, 1913.</b></div>
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<b> "Will Enter Big Race" Mooresville Enterprise, June 26, 1913.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"> "To Be in </b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Motorcycle</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"> Race" The Landmark, June 27, 1913.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b> "An Election Next Monday" The Landmark, July 1, 1913.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b> Day, Donald S., "Balke, on Indian, Wins Elgin Race" The Inter-Ocean Newspaper (Chicago, Ill.), July 5, 1913.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b> "Local Briefs" Mooresville Enterprise, July 10, 1913.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b> "Won First Prize and World's Championship" The Landmark, July 10, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Gray Sloop Accepts Challenge" Mooresville Enterprise, July 23, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Archie Templeton Won Motorcycle Race from Gray Sloop" Mooresville Enterprise, July 30, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Motorcycle Collided with Surrey" The Landmark, September 1, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Motorcycle and Surrey Collided" Mooresville Enterprise, September 3, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Gray Sloop Wins Races at Charleston" Mooresville Enterprise, September 10, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Killed in Cycle Race" The New York Times, November 27, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Met Death in Savannah" The Landmark, November 27, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Lee Taylor Wins Motorcycle Race" Atlanta Constitution, November 28, 1914.</b></div>
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<b> "Instantly Killed at Savannah" Mooresville Enterprise, December 3, 1914.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b> Stonestreet, O. C., <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">"Gray Sloop: A Man Ahead of His Time" Mooresville Tribune, July 13, 2005.</span></b></div>
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<b>Attachment Sources:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b>Chris Price@Georgia Motorcycle History</b><br />
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<b>Mooresville, N. C. Enterprise</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b>Motorcycle Illustrated</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>New York Times</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
<b>O. C. Stonestreet Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Wilmington, N.C. Morning Star</b></div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; min-height: 11px;">
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Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-9795324027596393822015-05-07T12:09:00.003-07:002022-01-12T10:30:55.495-08:00Barber Museum's Vintage Insider News Spring 2015 - Press Release #6<div><b>May 7, 2015</b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Sylacauga, Alabama<br /></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHKAtP14mZKNVtPUtslLZTOk0S_pxHm_OT2b-pnWAhmSg3xKINgJMF6Np_ejbqoRuwgjAAezWmb5hLxm46dEiK6Lg3khl90T9oeBlu7hlGqr5jPwzxSEVEbE3en23xkTqSrJ_WZYYtVvR/s1600/Scan+5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHKAtP14mZKNVtPUtslLZTOk0S_pxHm_OT2b-pnWAhmSg3xKINgJMF6Np_ejbqoRuwgjAAezWmb5hLxm46dEiK6Lg3khl90T9oeBlu7hlGqr5jPwzxSEVEbE3en23xkTqSrJ_WZYYtVvR/s640/Scan+5.jpeg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Vintage Insider News Spring 2015 - Cover<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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Thanks to the folks at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum for including my article, Herbert McBride - Birmingham's Amateur Speed Demon, in the Spring 2015 edition of Vintage Insider News.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveyTh1EIqJUGPrGVFBUB7sieyCn9ZF_Lm_vzkVS_7xUnK_En-OoxzCIY2PJRVf-yGAUSFzTWEC5GAJ1sG2xnR164sPZf23CtL8mLewUIGO85td3O3JKoHf1Uv7miGT5BTFfwBwH1umLqe/s1600/VIN+Spring+2015+-pg1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveyTh1EIqJUGPrGVFBUB7sieyCn9ZF_Lm_vzkVS_7xUnK_En-OoxzCIY2PJRVf-yGAUSFzTWEC5GAJ1sG2xnR164sPZf23CtL8mLewUIGO85td3O3JKoHf1Uv7miGT5BTFfwBwH1umLqe/s640/VIN+Spring+2015+-pg1.jpeg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Vintage Insider News Spring 2015 Article - Page 1</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVAX1PsOB8moNTJPVOkLPCyatSlCn38jWE-1Jgr5CugqSK9PbaL7zC_C-uvAvgpM8pXSyWnehPsy-i_CmFSpznYri6vYSXBWPOgiVQF-QNSS6Gy5ufvbrh_AyVi5kpq2bgJZVhFxW35hW/s1600/VIN+Spring+2015-pg2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVAX1PsOB8moNTJPVOkLPCyatSlCn38jWE-1Jgr5CugqSK9PbaL7zC_C-uvAvgpM8pXSyWnehPsy-i_CmFSpznYri6vYSXBWPOgiVQF-QNSS6Gy5ufvbrh_AyVi5kpq2bgJZVhFxW35hW/s640/VIN+Spring+2015-pg2.jpeg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Vintage Insider News Spring 2015 Article - Page 2</b></span></td></tr>
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</div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-63951676269509482332015-04-14T11:01:00.001-07:002022-01-12T10:34:31.046-08:00A Short History of Harley-Davidson's Early OHV Racers - Episode #33<div><b>April 14, 2015</b></div><div><b>Updated - July 30, 2015</b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Sylacauga, Alabama<br /></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1cWM5lLCh-y3caqId5hTqZyOMfbdHKqdHrfarDXuJDVjVuUVuQEm2V4nCy96Us0Kkk46ErDNwOT54r5cDzXGZho8zH6D5L3wCtAKtQ5g_R3F39s8fZ4EL4kxoks-erEZ5uAhH91S3Z9s/s1600/hd1fu2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1cWM5lLCh-y3caqId5hTqZyOMfbdHKqdHrfarDXuJDVjVuUVuQEm2V4nCy96Us0Kkk46ErDNwOT54r5cDzXGZho8zH6D5L3wCtAKtQ5g_R3F39s8fZ4EL4kxoks-erEZ5uAhH91S3Z9s/s1600/hd1fu2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Early Harley-Davidson Blanked Off OHV Single Cylinder Racer - ca. 1916<br />Lonnie Isam Jr. Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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The idea behind this episode comes from a single photograph shared on Facebook by Lonnie Isam Jr. Lonnie's family has a long history of involvement in antique motorcycle restoration. The photo shows a rider, whose name escapes me, seated an early Harley-Davidson single cylinder overhead valve (OHV) half mile dirt track racer.<br />
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The introduction of Harley-Davidson's all conquering eight valve racers of the teens and twenties, is a bit of a mystery. Little is known about the development of these engines, but I have been able to find a few period articles that may shed a little light on the story. In Episode #30, on the birth of Harley's 11-K racer, I detailed Harley-Davidson's late entry in the professional motorcycle racing game. When they did, they started with a racing engine loosely based on their 1914 production pocket valve single cam V twin. While this engine was quickly competitive, Harley's chief competitors on the track had been racing exotic overhead valve racing engines for years. Harley's Race Engineer, Bill Ottaway, realized he would quickly reach the limit of the pocket valve racer's development, and so he began developing special four overhead valve cylinders. The exact history of when this development started has been lost to time, but it appears it began sometime in 1915.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigzigfS7j7WDKNucwwNAXjCR5U1EAe63LIG1itliJhBQbdyheZrMTc7BOtWSn4jkC8NyrfSEE7msbDkvDNOnA3XasUwOhA21d1E1uqq7GF9dih_Bda13jduDPbFTLLxM5q4J2Ev4OxWi_/s1600/10881659_10205809545147678_4115019021690116946_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigzigfS7j7WDKNucwwNAXjCR5U1EAe63LIG1itliJhBQbdyheZrMTc7BOtWSn4jkC8NyrfSEE7msbDkvDNOnA3XasUwOhA21d1E1uqq7GF9dih_Bda13jduDPbFTLLxM5q4J2Ev4OxWi_/s1600/10881659_10205809545147678_4115019021690116946_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1915 Harley Davidson Single Cylinder Pocket Valve Racer<br />R. I. Jones Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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While Harley-Davidson had a 1915 single cylinder racer, for reasons unknown, Ottaway chose to use the V twin bottom end, as the test bed for his new engine. This was accomplished, by blanking off one cylinder. By removing one cylinder, piston, rod, and rebalancing the crankshaft he created a blanked of 30.5 ci. single. The 30.5 ci class had been created to slow down the 61ci V twins, which were previously used on the half mile dirt tracks popular in the period.<br />
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It is pure speculation, but Ottaway may have chosen to develop the new OHV cylinder, on a single cylinder engine, because the single has a straight intake from the carburetor to the cylinder. The V twin uses the same T shaped intake used on the production engines, with the carburetor sticking out to the right or left of the engine. That style intake creates more turbulence of the incoming gas/air mixture.<br />
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Maldwyn Jones made his reputation on the racing circuit riding Flying Merkle racers but decided to switch to Harley-Davidson for the 1916 racing season. Bill Ottaway installed one of the new Harley-Davidson blanked off 4 valve race engines into a special lowered Merkle racing frame and fork jones had developed. Due to his short stature, Jones preferred the Merkle frame's lower seat height, and better fork. Jones would use this bike to win half mile races across the country. Jones also went on to race a Harley-Davidson 8 Valve engine in the same frame and fork combination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h3RYmTIsjJkjV6qpSaBoIqoma53gip_iu61ZcLNoT8VIwyB4qKFlRFSiVyNhOjxm73GwynQP3EulShJ59tuSivuqHJ6WdbbGAjbbETQpbtKEQt9U-X-_4M5YdOCXVd9o6mkusiadtDth/s1600/970196_542705775767961_1800325050_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h3RYmTIsjJkjV6qpSaBoIqoma53gip_iu61ZcLNoT8VIwyB4qKFlRFSiVyNhOjxm73GwynQP3EulShJ59tuSivuqHJ6WdbbGAjbbETQpbtKEQt9U-X-_4M5YdOCXVd9o6mkusiadtDth/s400/970196_542705775767961_1800325050_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Maldwyn Jones - Harley-Davidson 4 Valve Racer - 1916<br />R. I. Jones Collection</b></span></td></tr>
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By April 1916, the OHV single was ready for its first race test. Several bikes were sent to the half mile races held at Roanoke, Virginia on April 30, 1916. The new single cylinder OHV racers were fast right from the start, with team rider Ray Weishaar wining several races. He even lapped an "OHV ported" Indian in one of the races.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNwKLjiNndY9Iru61Q0o-mudtSqOLJbBYQ0oWqKw_2B31NLhLydFylL5wgXPg2a1toZkuBGXV4vS5AsZMoOLoJwkT4GV2VXKDle9-sltIo3pHt-xj_gWqbvm_wixTFzGm1hf0MVeGWARg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-13+at+11.09.43+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNwKLjiNndY9Iru61Q0o-mudtSqOLJbBYQ0oWqKw_2B31NLhLydFylL5wgXPg2a1toZkuBGXV4vS5AsZMoOLoJwkT4GV2VXKDle9-sltIo3pHt-xj_gWqbvm_wixTFzGm1hf0MVeGWARg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-13+at+11.09.43+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated - June 1916<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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Harley-Davidson wasted no time in advertising the new racer's win, with a two-page ad in Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_GLr25e3OBDSPYk2cpofuGTiNJKskK-XaYFoNlNNYEv_UyDNgwDpE_sFklV6no6IAlf334-o1jJgPwoVCNlz1d1ORMDWb4xq6mt2q1mdL2Xm91LusU3pABU4rw38Yj2iFpac4SwJ6VzT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-13+at+11.28.51+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_GLr25e3OBDSPYk2cpofuGTiNJKskK-XaYFoNlNNYEv_UyDNgwDpE_sFklV6no6IAlf334-o1jJgPwoVCNlz1d1ORMDWb4xq6mt2q1mdL2Xm91LusU3pABU4rw38Yj2iFpac4SwJ6VzT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-13+at+11.28.51+AM.png" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Harley-Davidson Ad - Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated<br />July 9, 1916<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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Now, there was certainly more to Ottaway's plan than just building a single cylinder half mile racer, and there was. He was also, at the same time, developing an eight-overhead valve V twin to challenge Indians eight valve racers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLqjGQLMGbp19Xo6TYMBC7Nv7ZqWeOpU1EPgkIWDOlIhhW4zuhI7Sx_QZDqCwHUkwVjuFsrfjKuc5Iw4mNmc2quvZ-4As_iMGE6p2djky5FwDMAwI0F1_saK9iKKUpbAf6TiGnDNWRGUv/s1600/10530752_378232962385242_402693278488347117_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLqjGQLMGbp19Xo6TYMBC7Nv7ZqWeOpU1EPgkIWDOlIhhW4zuhI7Sx_QZDqCwHUkwVjuFsrfjKuc5Iw4mNmc2quvZ-4As_iMGE6p2djky5FwDMAwI0F1_saK9iKKUpbAf6TiGnDNWRGUv/s1600/10530752_378232962385242_402693278488347117_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>8 Valve Harley Racer - ca. 1916<br />Lonnie Isam Jr. Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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For this venture, he also used the 11-K V twin bottom end. New front and rear OHV cylinders were added, and testing began. By June 1916, the new V twin OHV racer was ready to race, and was shipped to held at Detroit, Michigan on June 11, 1916.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjURLm9v3Y82vhXIuQfzd8LnW0rBcHu9NVzy6VqDRcNCImwFZMpx9ifR7VcIyNGraHCWZrx-p75czr3Z5RY7fGOv-Z9vrzJ2mhDrTzPuUv0vOFbnuQIdrdEtv5k416Zm1R6IUCWQ8K6rb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-13+at+2.26.55+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjURLm9v3Y82vhXIuQfzd8LnW0rBcHu9NVzy6VqDRcNCImwFZMpx9ifR7VcIyNGraHCWZrx-p75czr3Z5RY7fGOv-Z9vrzJ2mhDrTzPuUv0vOFbnuQIdrdEtv5k416Zm1R6IUCWQ8K6rb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-13+at+2.26.55+PM.png" width="517" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated - June 1916<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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Bill Brier won a heat race on the new eight valve racer, but the new racers suffered teething problems in the longer races, and development continued.<br />
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On July 4, 1916, the new 8 valve racer proved its speed by winning the pole for the biggest race of the year, the Dodge City 300. Floyd Clymer, on his first time on board the new 8 valve racer, set the pole time. While Clymer led the race, he eventually slowed with engine problems, Irvin Janke went on to win the race for Harley-Davidson on one of 8 valve racers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoil5MJvjrmr3OfZvL6577wcPvJ5q-nqfQNKC2b1ThPxxDYKr-AyfUXdwgsQSeYEkPmOlXWPZ9CJs630qbZbl8TT1V1i9-yMipZYK_Y2Tj0d3fp9-33_d0FfrC7QQkWEzCeoHaVwLq23A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-15+at+4.16.58+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoil5MJvjrmr3OfZvL6577wcPvJ5q-nqfQNKC2b1ThPxxDYKr-AyfUXdwgsQSeYEkPmOlXWPZ9CJs630qbZbl8TT1V1i9-yMipZYK_Y2Tj0d3fp9-33_d0FfrC7QQkWEzCeoHaVwLq23A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-15+at+4.16.58+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle Illustrated - July 6, 1916 </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaWRuFj-WWT7F3HrUVmmgb6m72ILZlWq09AfuNRlq9TDdcTAjGVW3YG5FN0MluwKyHeFJEdfMkVOI_vIJP04TyKYZmbqkqcd2mZC1g7TcVgyVN-cVDT2kpT8IBHWfPDF-QC5N0bb58z8O/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-15+at+4.39.19+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaWRuFj-WWT7F3HrUVmmgb6m72ILZlWq09AfuNRlq9TDdcTAjGVW3YG5FN0MluwKyHeFJEdfMkVOI_vIJP04TyKYZmbqkqcd2mZC1g7TcVgyVN-cVDT2kpT8IBHWfPDF-QC5N0bb58z8O/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-15+at+4.39.19+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Harley-Davidson Racing Team - 1916 Dodge City 300</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUbtEKh0vAL4ecz3jV9AKZQ5LlnUgli3Uir0zxyGnlZqCEvBt8sEmyfS8yrMEsHgScsNtf3oSRVol7YC8PxR7A0wSO-qZUYbDSg1XcS-7oFhMS8p6YuLAODqB8tZPjp_JHYR3ctHiC8pD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-15+at+5.11.46+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUbtEKh0vAL4ecz3jV9AKZQ5LlnUgli3Uir0zxyGnlZqCEvBt8sEmyfS8yrMEsHgScsNtf3oSRVol7YC8PxR7A0wSO-qZUYbDSg1XcS-7oFhMS8p6YuLAODqB8tZPjp_JHYR3ctHiC8pD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-15+at+5.11.46+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The new 8 valve racers showed also their dominance in the 100 Mile Championship Race at Sheepshead Bay, New York. Harley-Davidson took five of the top six spots, proving the new 8 valve racer was more than a match for it's competition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4IoJyLlQO5ZfIpLhUJRaBvN8bkGSKSwwlgsweLgtesmuhFKsul_Sz_eOYF4VVS7rpmSQ_pqPfUX_f2XIVofTt5pk22MQFJXyTR9xO1qIyw3hVBZC9ei4EN9UsRH-AVodFd6-QxVq8fAE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-14+at+3.26.37+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4IoJyLlQO5ZfIpLhUJRaBvN8bkGSKSwwlgsweLgtesmuhFKsul_Sz_eOYF4VVS7rpmSQ_pqPfUX_f2XIVofTt5pk22MQFJXyTR9xO1qIyw3hVBZC9ei4EN9UsRH-AVodFd6-QxVq8fAE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-14+at+3.26.37+PM.png" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Harley-Davidson 8 Valve Racer Ad - July 6, 1916<br />Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated <br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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A new two cam bottom end was developed for both the V twin racer, and the blanked off single. In the hands of Harley's 'Wrecking Crew" Racing Team riders, both of these bikes went on to become a dominant force in racing for years to come.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggr07tIETzpLBw8E2mFg-Z2BMB7zF_U1_NUZsapFRBYZCvG_fYFW-zULtSBmNUMpNulkyiB_KuE7JVvG2sk7NUXs-iecCS-P3DjatL1mw84besnqrNTwku3_m2H_yhglPutO27hcNdVsLp/s1600/11824947_10205850482794386_7446644778317191280_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggr07tIETzpLBw8E2mFg-Z2BMB7zF_U1_NUZsapFRBYZCvG_fYFW-zULtSBmNUMpNulkyiB_KuE7JVvG2sk7NUXs-iecCS-P3DjatL1mw84besnqrNTwku3_m2H_yhglPutO27hcNdVsLp/s1600/11824947_10205850482794386_7446644778317191280_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1923 Harley-Davidson 2 Cam OHV Racing Engine Patent Drawing<br />WWAG.COM</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PTF3jdaqXV8B144wGLUU_9apwn5_9JB97vt0s8OEEz8ao8ow_zCRF1Yb-W-miYVXuIzTATwFmSRWNtcq-8fG6tvM1ktLG9vl-Opo9owUJP04vMQHIooBPlDbZUagyDcKYYttA_V2Lyb5/s1600/11009945_1033703526648380_5716989504738945976_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PTF3jdaqXV8B144wGLUU_9apwn5_9JB97vt0s8OEEz8ao8ow_zCRF1Yb-W-miYVXuIzTATwFmSRWNtcq-8fG6tvM1ktLG9vl-Opo9owUJP04vMQHIooBPlDbZUagyDcKYYttA_V2Lyb5/s400/11009945_1033703526648380_5716989504738945976_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1928 Harley-Davidson 2 Cam Racing Engine<br />R. I. Jones Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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In 1921, Harley-Davidson ceased involvement in professional racing. They did however continue to provide select riders with race bikes thorough their dealer network. One of the beneficiaries of this program was Gene Walker of Birmingham, Alabama. Walker, an Indian Factory team member, was one of the top riders in the country.<br />
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In mid 1921, Walker was suddenly fired by Indian for refusing to ride in the Dodge City 300. Left without a ride, Walker returned to Birmingham, and went to work for his former Birmingham Indian teammate, Gail Joyce, who was now the Birmingham Harley-Davidson dealer. Walker got his hands on a blanked off two cam Harley-Davidson and began racing it. How this came about, has been lost to history, but perhaps Harley-Davidson saw a way to poke their former racing rival Indian. Walker would become a dominant force on half mile dirt tracks around the country.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHFkjGUMN8YM2ajTHeWP3apt-Jwu1Q7YDy6tYt2NWOz39Z5vohIX520VBg_qsx_86L6KtprV0w1iYiB6o-Ly0ouhrndfUJRy3x_qOk2_M67z9hp4EDgdskwGffpuRLenRJfLi1-ngjRkp/s1600/Gene+Walker+1923+resize.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHFkjGUMN8YM2ajTHeWP3apt-Jwu1Q7YDy6tYt2NWOz39Z5vohIX520VBg_qsx_86L6KtprV0w1iYiB6o-Ly0ouhrndfUJRy3x_qOk2_M67z9hp4EDgdskwGffpuRLenRJfLi1-ngjRkp/s400/Gene+Walker+1923+resize.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gene Walker - Harley-Davidson 2 Cam Single - 1923<br />Don Emde Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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After dominating the half mile races on the Harley two cam Harley single in 1923, Harley-Davidson issued an ad touting his dominance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7OrobzidoPNEhFCaUYmbnL37jbrkKpmStJkCwxKHO5vYz2SLAU9k1pGNjUx2gZvFLx1ndiTcWWdsHqaslGXLyG6r_p9NjGLSI_FvtvjfDIk5FEv5RrAqBk2hk_dbNemYHvaKHbvKH70a/s1600/img-3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7OrobzidoPNEhFCaUYmbnL37jbrkKpmStJkCwxKHO5vYz2SLAU9k1pGNjUx2gZvFLx1ndiTcWWdsHqaslGXLyG6r_p9NjGLSI_FvtvjfDIk5FEv5RrAqBk2hk_dbNemYHvaKHbvKH70a/s1600/img-3.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Harley-Davidson Ad - 1923<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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The Harley-Davidson ad may have been the final humiliation for Indian, as they quickly rehired Walker. Sadly, he died of injuries sustained in a practice crash on the half mile track at East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in June 1924.<br />
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After Walker's death, Indian threatened to pull out of racing if the displacement was not reduced to slow the bikes on the half mile dirt tracks. The displacement was reduced to 21ci. -350cc. In 1926, Harley introduced a new single cylinder OHV racer, which came to be known as the Peashooter, for the unique popping sound it made. Most of these bikes went to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, but a few stayed here for use on half miles, and cinder tracks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ATmtbzIsC0-rUyU3eoB0zBHNChRIeV1KnIVr-ys36eQvMKc9NEjkFcvJKDev7JQK-TjgaWrzOowKBlkNoMHgN7Oq7MHKXgkTvFUSZx6OWDvgueE0e1UxAPAxvv5w1p6yOljVQiEenyuc/s1600/0402-1051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ATmtbzIsC0-rUyU3eoB0zBHNChRIeV1KnIVr-ys36eQvMKc9NEjkFcvJKDev7JQK-TjgaWrzOowKBlkNoMHgN7Oq7MHKXgkTvFUSZx6OWDvgueE0e1UxAPAxvv5w1p6yOljVQiEenyuc/s400/0402-1051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1927 Harley-Davidson Peashooter Racer</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0-rFpMVEYDZKRWK1mbGIT7TkAKdehmcNq_vXOmp6BuQDbHBBqkuMAMhd2O7njzH5Mj40kdZelgpRhUaM0gmk31QNE82Nuoq4zXgr_Qr2aVWIOgnUtj2F0hAw2mhHFTOIXOBnxMpepBE1/s1600/10845614_943289765689797_990173449161565917_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0-rFpMVEYDZKRWK1mbGIT7TkAKdehmcNq_vXOmp6BuQDbHBBqkuMAMhd2O7njzH5Mj40kdZelgpRhUaM0gmk31QNE82Nuoq4zXgr_Qr2aVWIOgnUtj2F0hAw2mhHFTOIXOBnxMpepBE1/s400/10845614_943289765689797_990173449161565917_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Harley-Davidson CAC Cinder Track Racer</b></span></td></tr>
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When the Great Depression hit, American motorcycle companies were struggling to survive, and racing activities were curtailed. They would return in the 30s with Class C racing, which outlawed specialty racing machines not based on production models. This was not the end of the exotic OHV racers. The technology was used to build alcohol powered hill climb racers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHY_rSVleRCla41kfaR3FpYnuJRUM-YVXr621oqJBMa0tmfsA2ZzGQQE7voeNQaEA67X2S35xvqhCkvkdsKPg47qg2I_W33Fh-BTT80fbpS-CciRqh1Tn7eRLIL_ZZiSh5bj-Co1xnvLK/s1600/10981816_1024185160944951_4263625232978352830_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHY_rSVleRCla41kfaR3FpYnuJRUM-YVXr621oqJBMa0tmfsA2ZzGQQE7voeNQaEA67X2S35xvqhCkvkdsKPg47qg2I_W33Fh-BTT80fbpS-CciRqh1Tn7eRLIL_ZZiSh5bj-Co1xnvLK/s400/10981816_1024185160944951_4263625232978352830_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1930 Harley-Davidson DAH Hill Climber<br />R. I. Jones Collection</b></span></td></tr>
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As the years passed by, few examples of these early OHV racers have survived, and they are among the rarest of Harley-Davidson's early racers.<br />
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<b>Sources:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Don Emde Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Lonnie Isam Jr. Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Motorcycle Illustrated.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>R. I. Jones Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b></div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-42499720951580973292015-03-13T08:27:00.010-07:002022-01-12T10:41:04.379-08:00The Strange Case of Louis Delibero - Episode #32<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;"><b>March 13, 2015</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Updated - November 23, 2017</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<b>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sylacauga, Alabama</b><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfdo4_ELeEolI8s6TbfrAioRYVFYZ0o4IXLuRR1wxmhQilfuDx2w54FJhvYjwQoGHtwwd5oWPDtaVLvY2uHrIwuc5LQq6O3M1qhcvgGR7PXDH9ztK1TA1UV9yU7rvS9bV_S7ZX0BUiM-q/s1600/500-7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfdo4_ELeEolI8s6TbfrAioRYVFYZ0o4IXLuRR1wxmhQilfuDx2w54FJhvYjwQoGHtwwd5oWPDtaVLvY2uHrIwuc5LQq6O3M1qhcvgGR7PXDH9ztK1TA1UV9yU7rvS9bV_S7ZX0BUiM-q/s1600/500-7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luigi "Louis" Delibero </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Delibero Family Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Family stories are an interesting thing. They come down to us from older relatives, and are sometimes dismissed by others, because they assume their recollections of events long passed are suspect. This story comes from a reader, who asked me to help find more information on the mysterious death of a family member in 1918. The family story she shared with me, was so intriguing, I thought it was worth of looking into.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Luigi Delibero aka Louis Lawrence Delibero was born in San Lorenzo, Italy on August 9,1892. By the early teens, he was part of a wave of Italian immigration to the United States. Delibero, along with other family members settled in the seaport town of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Delibero Americanized his first name to Louis, and eventually found work as a mechanic at the Automatic Machine Company. The Automatic Machine Company was part of Bridgeport's ship building industry. With World War 1 raging in Europe, and assumptions that America would eventually be drawn into the war, ship building was an important industry.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsb-6gEvlg4hUsAzLEhjuzYvN5HDylip2DLg7OFjyTsN6JDmxGFTWtNohWoukkmMxldiynhnSoOtrxxASTyJdVThR10-ORn3U4MmpykKiQgXr5NhctJMLWwlHhmVihAUnhy6nmYkFkYRf/s1600/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsb-6gEvlg4hUsAzLEhjuzYvN5HDylip2DLg7OFjyTsN6JDmxGFTWtNohWoukkmMxldiynhnSoOtrxxASTyJdVThR10-ORn3U4MmpykKiQgXr5NhctJMLWwlHhmVihAUnhy6nmYkFkYRf/s1600/unnamed.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bridgeport, CT. Telegram - 1918 </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZersRyFUsND7fk3U31l9vT6jd7T1kn0tVB1zkKZatV4811ODQM4PmmNWVSspOeR7wbjMOfr8bjOfqlu_nH8PAJAJbd1Bs_wffMEQxB9S5XFHJkKHQMntDeftNz0nMkQch-Mw4pe-Bsvt/s1600/500-5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZersRyFUsND7fk3U31l9vT6jd7T1kn0tVB1zkKZatV4811ODQM4PmmNWVSspOeR7wbjMOfr8bjOfqlu_nH8PAJAJbd1Bs_wffMEQxB9S5XFHJkKHQMntDeftNz0nMkQch-Mw4pe-Bsvt/s1600/500-5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Louis Delibero - Automatic Machine Company ca. 1918<br />Delibero Family Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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Motorcycling for both transportation, and recreation, was well established in the Bridgeport area. They had an active motorcycle club going back to the early teens. It was also the home of Stanley T. Kellogg, who was one of the most accomplished motorcycle racers of this period, and also the local agent for Excelsior motorcycles.<br />
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The Bridgeport Motorcycle Club, which boasted fifty members in 1911, began sponsoring motorcycle competitions at the Bridgeport Aerodrome, the Nutmeg Driving Park, and later at the Seaside Park Racetrack.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bridgeport Motorcycle Club Race Ad<br />Motorcycle Illustrated - September 1911</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - 1911</b></span></td></tr>
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Bridgeport was also close to two centers of early professional motorcycle racing. They were the Vailsburg Park Motordrome in Newark, New Jersey, and the Stadium Motordrome in Brighton Beach, New York. Top racers from around the world competed on these steeply banked circular board tracks, drawing large crowds of spectators. A tragic crash at the Newark track in September 1912, killed two well-known racers, along with several spectators, and led to the banning of motorcycle racing in Newark.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Atlanta Constitution - September 1912</b></span><br />
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After the Newark tragedy, and another tragic accident at the Lagoon Motordrome in Ludlow, Kentucky, which also killed several racers, and numerous spectators, motorcycle racing began to shift back to the dirt oval horse racing tracks common in the area.<br />
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Motorcycles provided cheap transportation in the days when automobiles were out of reach of all but the affluent. Like many young men of this age, Louis Delibero was also drawn to the freedom, and excitement, of motorcycles. He purchased an Indian Motorcycle, most likely from the Bridgeport Cycle Company, which was the local Indian dealer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bridgeport, CT. Telegram -1918</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Louis Delibero with Family Members<br />Delibero Family Collection</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;">Louis Delibero of Bridgeport, Connecticut was listed as motorcycle owner #743 on the State of Connecticut List of Registered Motor Vehicle dated August 15, 1914. A few months later, Delibero caught the attention of the State Police, for riding with his exhaust cutoff open. The loud pipe very nearly cost him his driver's license, but a local Officer interceded on his behalf.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Bridgeport, CT. Evening Farmer</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">September 10, 1914</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;">As he became more involved in motorcycling, he joined the Bridgeport Motorcycle</span><span style="text-align: left;"> Club, and began to compete in their motorcycle events around Bridgeport.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Louis Delibero - 1918</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Delibero Family Collection</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Seaside Park Racetrack - Bridgeport, CT.<br /><a href="http://www.mikeroer.com/bridgeportballparks.html">Bridgeport Baseball History - Mike Roer</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">On July 10, 1915, Louis Delibero set the 1 Mile Track Record at the Bridgeport Aerodrome, now known as the Bridgeport Motordrome Park, and was awarded a silver cup to commemorate his new track record.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">In </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: small;"><b>Fred A. Delibero Collection</b></span></td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><u>In l</u>ate December 1915, Louis Delibero, and his wife witnessed a fatal accident between and automobile and a trolley car. The details of the accident were reported in the Bridgeport Evening Farmer on December 31, 1915.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Bridgeport, CN. Evening Farmer</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">December 31, 1915</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">With the approach of America's involvement in World War 1, Louis Dlibero registered for the draft in Connecticut. Although he was a Naturalized American Citizen, he was not drafted, as he had a dependent wife, two children, and his employment at the Automatic Machine Company was considered an essential war industry.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><u>In October 1918, Louis Delibero was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a truck. The collision with the automobile literally broke Delibero's Indian Motocycle in half. There appears to be no mention of Delibero's fatal accident in the local paper, even though they regularly covered motorcycle and automobile accidents. State of Connecticut Death Records indicate Louis Delibero died on October 1918 in Norwalk, Connecticut. </u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Remnants of Delibero's Indian Motocycle -1915</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Delibero Family Collection</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL1-guo6HdnZH3W8_qQo280jb2HtOfyZOGDF4MAfgAP-IMq2oGu1u1IT23XsTB4juZL7dEvmLW9cr8OKP00o6MD0ZaFFbgxnbQeAqoqE27B6zXgm8194IxBdvcUczgQkRJ55X3zK2V_pX/s1600/500-2.jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="393" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL1-guo6HdnZH3W8_qQo280jb2HtOfyZOGDF4MAfgAP-IMq2oGu1u1IT23XsTB4juZL7dEvmLW9cr8OKP00o6MD0ZaFFbgxnbQeAqoqE27B6zXgm8194IxBdvcUczgQkRJ55X3zK2V_pX/s400/500-2.jpeg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After Delibero's death, it was rumored that his fatal accident was staged by local Black Hand Society members, because he refused to fix the outcome of upcoming motorcycle races. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CxL2S9EtbYZrbPZo3XU7_LV9egIeddvrath7buG-Ou8SiZCHzGkBKba1k-Qxc4AwpiiKzPO5Zz6VPuKKpVQNkZsVXhML1_zlxv4Ok1iNI2KE4lqfiTKc-oKF_5XcYAn7FTxPSKPejAtq/s1600/Blackhand-symbol.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="150" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CxL2S9EtbYZrbPZo3XU7_LV9egIeddvrath7buG-Ou8SiZCHzGkBKba1k-Qxc4AwpiiKzPO5Zz6VPuKKpVQNkZsVXhML1_zlxv4Ok1iNI2KE4lqfiTKc-oKF_5XcYAn7FTxPSKPejAtq/s400/Blackhand-symbol.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Black Hand Society Symbol</span></b></td></tr>
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The Black Hand Society which had origins in Sicily, was well established within Bridgeport's Italian American Community. Their principal crime was extortion from Italian owned businesses, and they were suspected in several local murders.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bridgeport, CT. Telegram - 1918</span></b></td></tr>
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Motorcycle racing was popular in Italy, and betting on the results of races, which was controlled by local crime figures, was common. It was also common practice at American racetracks of the time to gamble on the outcome of motorcycle races. A local Italian racer would have been a crowd favorite with Bridgeport's Italian race fans. If the story passed down through the Delibero family was true, the local Black Hand Society also wanted to fix the outcome of the races.<br />
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Luigi "Louis" Delibero was buried in the St. Michaels' Cemetery in nearby Stratford, Connecticut. He was twenty-six at the time of his death, and left behind his wife Rose Masisco Delibero, and young sons Louis, and Frederick Delibero. St. Michael's Cemetery Records indicate Luigi was born on August 1, 1892, and died on October 4, 1918. Luigi's date of on his World War One Draft Registration indicates he was born on August 9th. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-FHO9c_vhWr4ERIQI-dJYsr_J4zFnvDeFO3qa5zps-v2T-iCQYKOVhxcyOSiBBvMT4uJMO6Z4hc51QZntcGo8k6O6SUqMdgkR-1vyqMxheiMfKUNsW5i0i9_tCyjH6cyYR8rqC-PNft1SrQe1_UI01_wsOTX1JPDdooZhO50ZNkuJ2VDyZ1RqeMJWYg=s515" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="515" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-FHO9c_vhWr4ERIQI-dJYsr_J4zFnvDeFO3qa5zps-v2T-iCQYKOVhxcyOSiBBvMT4uJMO6Z4hc51QZntcGo8k6O6SUqMdgkR-1vyqMxheiMfKUNsW5i0i9_tCyjH6cyYR8rqC-PNft1SrQe1_UI01_wsOTX1JPDdooZhO50ZNkuJ2VDyZ1RqeMJWYg=w400-h165" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>St. Michael's Cemetery Burial Records</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Whether Delibero's death was just a tragic accident, or a ninety-seven-year-old unsolved murder mystery, will never be known. Crime within immigrant communities of the time, did not garner the attention of law enforcement, it would in other communities. <br />
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With the demonstrated violent nature of the local Black Hand Society, anyone with information, would have surely feared to came forward. The local press liked the sensational headlines generated by this type of crime, but they seldom followed up beyond the initial headlines. There is certainly enough circumstantial evidence to question if the death of Louis Delibero was in fact an unsolved murder.<br />
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<b>Sources:</b></div>
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<b>Ancestry.com</b><br />
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<b></b>
<b>Atlanta Constitution</b><br />
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<b></b>
<b>Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - 1911</b><br />
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<b>Bridgeport, CN. Evening Farmer</b></div>
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</b>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Bridgeport, CT. Telegram</b></div>
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<b><br /></b><b>Delibero Family Collection</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Fred A. Delibero Collection</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Mike Roer@<a href="http://www.mikeroer.com/bridgeportballparks.html">Bridgeport Baseball History</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b><br /></div>
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<b></b>
<b>Motorcycle Illustrated - 1908, 1915, 1916</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>St. Michael's Cemetery Burial Records </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>State of Connecticut Death & Burial Records</b></div>
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Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-26008844817566200642015-01-28T08:14:00.005-08:002022-01-12T10:44:53.443-08:00Herbert McBride, Birmingham's Amateur Champion - Episode #31<div><b>January 28, 2015</b></div><div><b>Updated - February 20, 2015</b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>By: David L. Morrill</b><br />
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b><div><b>Ocala, Florida<br /></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1B_IwfXMoc1vCWfuSlWlt8xY6IwVmX5Qg9Nm3zEKc-9AqrLYaRqZFDSg7AMqbq4hISjYRCOy5akau72RLvQABT5w700L5JEoChByV_lw8z2YrUvbm2OrtcPWiSxVu87mOlXOvFGqSMAn/s1600/85a75b0e8799cf7f35cf4b885f8cc954.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1B_IwfXMoc1vCWfuSlWlt8xY6IwVmX5Qg9Nm3zEKc-9AqrLYaRqZFDSg7AMqbq4hISjYRCOy5akau72RLvQABT5w700L5JEoChByV_lw8z2YrUvbm2OrtcPWiSxVu87mOlXOvFGqSMAn/s1600/85a75b0e8799cf7f35cf4b885f8cc954.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Herbert McBride - Ormond Beach, FL. - April 1920</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Bettman Image Collection<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<b></b>This early 1920s photo of a man at the beach on an Indian Motocycle keeps showing up on social media, but few people know the story behind it. It is the story of three men from Birmingham, Alabama, each of whom played a part in early motorcycle racing history. Time to tell their story.<br />
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Herbert Foster McBride Sr., also known as Percy, was born in Jefferson County, Alabama in 1901. Like many young men of this time, he was drawn to the freedom, and excitement of early motorcycles. How Herbert McBride was introduced to motorcycles has been lost to time, but eventually the sixteen-year-old McBride, landed a job working in the machine shop of William F. Specht Jr's Harley-Davidson Motorcycles machine shop in downtown Birmingham, Alabama.<br />
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Also working in the machine shop at the time, was an up-and-coming local racer named Gene Walker. With the help of the Birmingham Indian Motocycles dealer, Robert Stubbs, Walker built a winning reputation, in the races on the one-mile dirt oval at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in Birmingham. In 1915, Walker was hired as a member of the Indian Motocycles Factory Racing Team, and relocated to their headquarters in Springfield, Massachusetts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gene Walker - Birmingham, AL.<br />O. V. Hunt - 1914 (cropped)</b></span></td></tr>
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With the approach of America's involvement in World War 1 in 1917, professional motorcycle racing shut down, and Walker returned to Birmingham. Both Walker, and McBride were exempt from the 1917 military draft. Walker was the sole support for his widowed mother, and McBride was too young. Walker, and McBride, worked together at Specht's machine shop for the next year or so. With then end of the war in 1918, Walker returned to the professional racing, while McBride remained working as a machinist in Birmingham, but switched to working for Bob Stubbs at the Birmingham Indian dealership.<br />
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At the end of a successful 1919 racing season, the Indian Motocycles Factory Racing Team, decided they would go after the existing motorcycle speed records at Ormond Beach, Florida in April 1920. Beginning in 1909, racers used the sands of Ormond Beach, Florida for motorcycle speed records. The course was laid out along the beach, at low tide. Gene Walker's former boss at the Birmingham Indian dealer, Robert Stubbs, was a member of the Indian Motocycles Factory Racing Team in the 1909 Ormond Beach event.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tmMYN4uIiK-xOrptnp9jWx8K4RMh5m73dW9LDl1dxwIr_e8qM9RNc03W61uRqCJVipKViOT23XMExZSGLkbTQ8cKwljIEzOHIuN9Jl7nBJoWjTFiWwV27IEwYUT83ggHM7UrQ14TivK1/s1600/1655263_766647000039636_8174764778772147575_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tmMYN4uIiK-xOrptnp9jWx8K4RMh5m73dW9LDl1dxwIr_e8qM9RNc03W61uRqCJVipKViOT23XMExZSGLkbTQ8cKwljIEzOHIuN9Jl7nBJoWjTFiWwV27IEwYUT83ggHM7UrQ14TivK1/s1600/1655263_766647000039636_8174764778772147575_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Robert Stubbs - Ormond Beach, FL. - March 1909<br />Chris Price @ Georgia Motorcycle History<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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Stubbs still had considerable influence with the Indian factory, and Gene Walker was chosen to go after the existing professional class speed records in 1920.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsBRWPdAB-RopwXTBP-BLwbfFkaPctLP7noKPuVHFL4pN1XuoExlN14x0CA0y_HV5W1fa51jLv3QhpE8McOGGexk1hD17mKLnZUWNdaqXAQOwudxQCGXILrPnbVFvhcgoIEaDOpY7oENa/s1600/399866_289533357770053_175436681_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsBRWPdAB-RopwXTBP-BLwbfFkaPctLP7noKPuVHFL4pN1XuoExlN14x0CA0y_HV5W1fa51jLv3QhpE8McOGGexk1hD17mKLnZUWNdaqXAQOwudxQCGXILrPnbVFvhcgoIEaDOpY7oENa/s1600/399866_289533357770053_175436681_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gene Walker <br />Ormond Beach, FL. - April 1920</b><br /><b>Don Emde Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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For this attempt, Indian built racing bikes with four different engines. They were the eight valve V twin, the Power Plus side valve racing V twin racing, a stock 61ci Production side valve V twin, and a four-valve racing single. A decision was made to go after both the National records measured in miles, and the international records measured in kilometers in both the amateur, and professional classes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFChNqQls30Im2hDKPGUwVPJKqta44HYb6TFROJ21A_41g0c9mhaC53Og4eDViLe_3s3M1OFMcWYfnek10GGc39828ka-5rWBhs9gdBqKRuMg_8EqXR8_GsNe3lGe7X8Sbeg07cmbhMEqP/s1600/Gene+Walker+8+Valve+Daytona+Beach+Racer+R.i.+Jones+-+Resto+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFChNqQls30Im2hDKPGUwVPJKqta44HYb6TFROJ21A_41g0c9mhaC53Og4eDViLe_3s3M1OFMcWYfnek10GGc39828ka-5rWBhs9gdBqKRuMg_8EqXR8_GsNe3lGe7X8Sbeg07cmbhMEqP/s1600/Gene+Walker+8+Valve+Daytona+Beach+Racer+R.i.+Jones+-+Resto+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1920 Indian Eight Valve Racer<br />R. I. Jones Collection</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The decision to also go after the amateur records, opened a slot on the team for another team rider, who was not a professional racer. Gene Walker recommended his friend from Birmingham, Herbert McBride, to be his amateur teammate. This was a great opportunity for McBride, who would ride some of the best racing bikes in the country, under the supervision of one of the countries' most successful professional racers. It did not take long for McBride to accept Walker's invitation.<br />
<br />
Between April 12, and April 15, Walker, and McBride set twenty-four new National, and International motorcycle speed records. Walker was credited with the first official F. I. M. World Motorcycle Speed Record of 104.12 mph. on a stock 61ci side valve Indian Scout. Walker also set a new National Motorcycle Speed Record of 115.79 mph. on an eight-valve racer. Walker's faith in his amateur teammate was well placed, as McBride's new amateur record speeds were higher than the previous professional class records. The new records received coverage in newspapers across the country.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDxDTRq1nzFKboC3IELLnAOT69S1inlT-ej7lAcOiR-zmizZMgR5O7l8mLRi7qUx-50hi7oHFybeaNnqGTaUH2UUes28uRCJbQZMMIHlZyuBpG4tdfnGFRediNgB3DmEaM4pkariIB5-5/s1600/img-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDxDTRq1nzFKboC3IELLnAOT69S1inlT-ej7lAcOiR-zmizZMgR5O7l8mLRi7qUx-50hi7oHFybeaNnqGTaUH2UUes28uRCJbQZMMIHlZyuBpG4tdfnGFRediNgB3DmEaM4pkariIB5-5/s1600/img-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Oregon Daily Journal - May 9, 1920</b></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ2dYKUAu4Wy36xpAVb3Q3kZJ0dbWuJyDBMxqOpe6uX5DRpJwcWce2tUZBPkQBI_bUNXHSDEfhCHIIw-JXwIgrn7_b1nLGlcG9eixunq6Q-8jF6kNKyx5dZ9w_TbRq4mYbk4XD1czqLXY/s1600/Walker+009-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ2dYKUAu4Wy36xpAVb3Q3kZJ0dbWuJyDBMxqOpe6uX5DRpJwcWce2tUZBPkQBI_bUNXHSDEfhCHIIw-JXwIgrn7_b1nLGlcG9eixunq6Q-8jF6kNKyx5dZ9w_TbRq4mYbk4XD1czqLXY/s1600/Walker+009-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated - April 1920</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXki6vkzZ_IL02w0eAs2y1H5GnODCb2I7KbkgcTSntEIVmDXtPv6LTRBEZY2DyQVLh41rTJkDW3dxj36OgO6mujVQRugkX91WIopw28VFo0kbh5B-OWz8AzmBpVe28RWwyN4_oF-x8dvyb/s1600/img.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXki6vkzZ_IL02w0eAs2y1H5GnODCb2I7KbkgcTSntEIVmDXtPv6LTRBEZY2DyQVLh41rTJkDW3dxj36OgO6mujVQRugkX91WIopw28VFo0kbh5B-OWz8AzmBpVe28RWwyN4_oF-x8dvyb/s1600/img.jpeg" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Washington Times (Washington, DC.) - May 8, 1920</b></span></td></tr>
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The new records were touted in Indian Motorcycles advertising and were covered in the May 1920 edition of Indian's newsletter, known as Wigwam News. As a result of the new records set by Walker, and McBride, the Indian Power Plus production bikes, would come to be known as "Daytona Racers".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwjbrL7FWseslrygXxKejgxs1d3R2VHOa04MJUXTH-3b_EVCA1yHRgr_kcxXeLtitdPtSHk0Q8T__hjVoiCzXXXANnX_5oR4FUFRmAwZ0UyarRq3nREuPQMnZYtV_eVLEm_bToIAJegoY/s1600/G+Walker+Indian+Ad+4-1920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwjbrL7FWseslrygXxKejgxs1d3R2VHOa04MJUXTH-3b_EVCA1yHRgr_kcxXeLtitdPtSHk0Q8T__hjVoiCzXXXANnX_5oR4FUFRmAwZ0UyarRq3nREuPQMnZYtV_eVLEm_bToIAJegoY/s1600/G+Walker+Indian+Ad+4-1920.jpg" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Indian Motorcycle Ad - May 1920<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsDKEgD8LNE0TpjVCWOgan-nfXmQ8NhsvntDaKQkYAsAhhiN8YReu120V6oxrPcNsgAqaoI_BZOT1sQXSGPT5Uu_m3R7WvWXxuOSOHyxyCzPVnudUqshXZvebwFFoOe-0racZSggm8e6U/s1600/1378189_514604225281993_1650686167_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsDKEgD8LNE0TpjVCWOgan-nfXmQ8NhsvntDaKQkYAsAhhiN8YReu120V6oxrPcNsgAqaoI_BZOT1sQXSGPT5Uu_m3R7WvWXxuOSOHyxyCzPVnudUqshXZvebwFFoOe-0racZSggm8e6U/s1600/1378189_514604225281993_1650686167_n.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wigwam News - May 1920<br />Furman Family Collection<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44kgIcmYn5GbSXrlo4Jj-467G7nwp0UmaFHwMeoOEY9XPcRr9mXQYs1QoI0OxAflZkg30wsCWN_BVlyiAHiWQzAUOCbzT4yk4UHf3dXQl9aFN2RlyiidqWKcpjquYNFZA6yQLmioHVODC/s1600/photo+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44kgIcmYn5GbSXrlo4Jj-467G7nwp0UmaFHwMeoOEY9XPcRr9mXQYs1QoI0OxAflZkg30wsCWN_BVlyiAHiWQzAUOCbzT4yk4UHf3dXQl9aFN2RlyiidqWKcpjquYNFZA6yQLmioHVODC/s1600/photo+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHf5sALU_Ub-3M5b3T26ymlPAqO5IvrLFTLI1GnrxNiGGE07Ya1_ecY2-gJUc94Ht0z7PAof79wfqM9vGTNx9yhw7N_hw5CZxCCZNGMvE2ReUhE1dwxnJSn-xf0IaDIebjIGDX-xLi-3V/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHf5sALU_Ub-3M5b3T26ymlPAqO5IvrLFTLI1GnrxNiGGE07Ya1_ecY2-gJUc94Ht0z7PAof79wfqM9vGTNx9yhw7N_hw5CZxCCZNGMvE2ReUhE1dwxnJSn-xf0IaDIebjIGDX-xLi-3V/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">May 1920 Wigwam News<br />Carol Watson Collection<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the records set, and the hoopla over, Hebert McBride returned to his job a a machinist at the Indian dealership. In October of 1921, "Percy" McBride was mentioned as an entry for a contestant in a 500-mile motorcycle endurance race through Georgia, and Alabama.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztsU4HQrWURRttMhTCUyYEWLabhHAummYa3wKZi6id5woOuDA7J0ImGQSny_zh28YG9Uy9MxBOIGgFWJimiN2CCrbpyrhUKz875nvtBIFexn_pJva8J8StuG6a2uKBIDB4CVKtYmhtPvJ/s1600/img-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztsU4HQrWURRttMhTCUyYEWLabhHAummYa3wKZi6id5woOuDA7J0ImGQSny_zh28YG9Uy9MxBOIGgFWJimiN2CCrbpyrhUKz875nvtBIFexn_pJva8J8StuG6a2uKBIDB4CVKtYmhtPvJ/s1600/img-1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Atlanta Constitution - October 16, 1921.</b></span><br />
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<div>
In November 1921, Herbert McBride married Amy Bell George, and retired from motorcycle competitions. McBride took a job as a Plymouth/DeSoto automobile salesman for Street Motors in Birmingham. They had a son, Herbert Foster McBride Jr.<br />
<br />
With his retirement from motorcycling, McBride could look back with pride to those four days in April 1920, when he set twelve new speed records, and was the Fastest Amateur Motorcyclist in the World. Not a small achievement for a young man from Birmingham.<br />
<br />
<b>Epilogue:</b><br />
<br />
Three years after the Ormond Beach Record runs, Gene Walker died of injuries from a practice crash in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. He was returned to Birmingham and buried at historic Elmwood Cemetery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirD2lmwHp66KjTeVl5FRgrKSFv52omXuXohYzU2v77FsVxrKKWaY8F42cqAQlNCQKYzmVf9picq1zM3516jRbfZ5n3dxGex0tPno98jmixbMl67uJb_Zy3ghwfy8WGRMQjnafBXtNfKlRX/s1600/Birmingham+News+Walker+Eulogy-Photo.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirD2lmwHp66KjTeVl5FRgrKSFv52omXuXohYzU2v77FsVxrKKWaY8F42cqAQlNCQKYzmVf9picq1zM3516jRbfZ5n3dxGex0tPno98jmixbMl67uJb_Zy3ghwfy8WGRMQjnafBXtNfKlRX/s1600/Birmingham+News+Walker+Eulogy-Photo.png" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Birmingham News - June 24, 1924<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>For more information on Gene Walker's career, please check out Episode #2 - Gene Walker Birmingham's Lost Racing Champion at:</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2012/07/gene-walker-birminghams-lost-racing.html">Gene Walker, Birmingham's Lost racing Champion - Episode #2</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Robert Stubbs died of cancer in 1922, and was buried at Eastlake Cemetery in Birmingham.</span></div>
<br />
<b>For more information on Robert Stubbs' career, please check out Episode # 6 Bob Stubbs Birmingham's First racing Champion at:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2012/10/bob-stubbs-birminghams-first-racing.html">Bob Stubbs, Birmingham's first racing Champion - Episode #6</a></b></div>
<br />
Herbert Foster McBride Sr. died in Birmingham, Alabama in 1946. He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery, not far from his friend, and racing mentor Gene Walker.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2fXnXivU7epAj2UCJaO9tmR3ukgdMCsLucHs1sp7ax2rK8Bry6VDVUP7xaeaGfG-vQ87DD3nJqJl6-pPaM5OqoTAwWomH8bLZhVWnPVAXd8Q2o3c6Z6x7-uvqOcJPTobnd_iQwMW8OYw/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2fXnXivU7epAj2UCJaO9tmR3ukgdMCsLucHs1sp7ax2rK8Bry6VDVUP7xaeaGfG-vQ87DD3nJqJl6-pPaM5OqoTAwWomH8bLZhVWnPVAXd8Q2o3c6Z6x7-uvqOcJPTobnd_iQwMW8OYw/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elmwood Cemetery Section #23<br />Birmingham, Alabama</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b>Sources:</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ancestry.com</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Atlanta Constitution</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bettman Image Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Birmingham News</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Birmingham, Alabama Public Library Archives</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Carol Watson Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="http://www.georgiamotorcyclehistory.com/">Chris Price @ Georgia Motorcycle History</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Don Emde Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Newspapers.com</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>R. I. Jones Collection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The Washington Times</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Wigwam News</b></div>
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</div>Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2633632579092540399.post-42955508598475081832015-01-08T11:16:00.002-08:002022-01-11T12:29:31.040-08:00Jan/Fed 2015 Edition of The Antique Motorcycle - Press Release #5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>January 8, 2015</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>By: David L. Morrill</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>@MototiqueRacing</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Sylacauga, Alabama</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljUesOa3_k8VK6kWaqWbYE7kYWgzDZTbpbXMQvIQFOlJI1ZQA2YLRSsM97ZiifEoW7DSd9U6eoc95mfccpqFUCbO4xyPgz7udXlMrD5SvxXTjAx0JrYFigJ0Tzyz8C0YL-zCcAqO3X7TG/s1600/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljUesOa3_k8VK6kWaqWbYE7kYWgzDZTbpbXMQvIQFOlJI1ZQA2YLRSsM97ZiifEoW7DSd9U6eoc95mfccpqFUCbO4xyPgz7udXlMrD5SvxXTjAx0JrYFigJ0Tzyz8C0YL-zCcAqO3X7TG/s1600/unnamed.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Thank you, Joe "SloJo" Gardella, and the folks at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, for a mention of Deadly Dave's Blog, in Joe's article on his Barber Vintage Festival Century Race win in the Jan/Feb edition of The Antique Motorcycle. </b><br />
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<b>If you are a fan of old motorcycles, and are not a member of the AMCA, please consider joining:</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/">Antique Motorcycle Club of America</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBj2Jxn1OyWyvIiOPS67H6zgE3Nv3RX8Tr7jm9T3LJEPJQswEiy1D7Zmamo8hLVbADI8SjCTKdCzKLsIEkDJep1JVarTuIlW9DCctkHIALpfYtbnZUt_lsytUyiekrRFlt3_W-ZyF9lSF/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBj2Jxn1OyWyvIiOPS67H6zgE3Nv3RX8Tr7jm9T3LJEPJQswEiy1D7Zmamo8hLVbADI8SjCTKdCzKLsIEkDJep1JVarTuIlW9DCctkHIALpfYtbnZUt_lsytUyiekrRFlt3_W-ZyF9lSF/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
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<b>For more information please check out History Repeats Itself In Birmingham - Episode #28</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2014/10/history-repeats-itself-in-birmingham.html">History Repeats Itself In Birmingham - Episode #28</a></b></div>
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Dave Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01703991866006179941noreply@blogger.com2