Gene Walker's Four Valve Racer - Episode #21

January 3, 2014

Updated - July 8, 2014

By: David L. Morrill
@ Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

Gene Walker - 1923

They say a pictures worth a thousand words, and this old photo certainly is worth a few. To start with, Daytona 200 winner Don Emde sent me this photo as part of some research I was doing a few years back. It was taken in 1923, and the rider is Gene Walker of Birmingham, Alabama.

Now some folks will tell you, Gene Walker rode Indian Motorcycles, and that is mostly true. From the time the Birmingham Indian dealer, Bob Stubbs, first put young Walker on and eight valve Indian racer at the Alabama State Fairgrounds, through many of his race wins, and numerous track records, Gene Walker raced Indians.

So, how did one of the most famous Indian riders of his time, come to be photographed on a Harley-Davidson racer?

And even more interesting, how did he become part of Harley-Davidson's 1923 advertising?

The story starts with America's entry into World War I. Professional racing was curtailed, and Indian factory rider, Gene Walker, returned to Birmingham. As his widowed mother's sole support, Walker was exempted from the draft. He found work as a motorcycle machinist at the Harley-Davidson shop run by Bill Specht. During the winter, Walker supplemented his income working as a Birmingham Motorcycle Police Officer. Walker also kept his hand in racing, winning a few non-championship races, at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway on a privately entered Harley-Davidson.

With his return to the Indian Racing Team in 1919, Gene Walker again won races, set track records, and even set the first officially recognized motorcycle land speed record for Indian.

So, how did he come to fall into disfavor with the management at Indian?

In July 1921, Walker agreed to compete in the biggest race of the year, the 300 Mile Coyote Classic in Dodge City, Kansas. A few days before the race, Walker notified his bosses he would not compete at Dodge City. Walker contended that the Dodge City track was dusty, and dangerous, but he may have had another reason.

Just two weeks later, Walker entered a race in South Bend, Indiana. His bosses at Indian, accused him of "cherry picking" races for easy wins, and purses. The dispute played out in the motorcycle press for the next month. Walker continued to win races on Indians, and it appeared the dispute was settled, until Walker was unexpectedly released by Indian at the end of the 1921 reaching season. The reason given by Indian's Management, was his failure to meet his contractual obligations by not competing at Dodge City.

Walker returned to Birmingham, and he appears to have gone back to work at the Harley-Davidson shop. He also resumed his duties as a motorcycle police officer. That story was picked up by newspapers across the country.

Santa Cruz, CA. News - December 1923

Walker returned to racing on the privately entered Harley-Davidson 30.5ci four valve racer shown in the photograph. Harley had shut down their factory racing effort at the end of the 1921 racing season.  They were however, offering bikes to select qualified riders. Walker's former Birmingham Indian teammate, Gail Joyce, was now the Birmingham Harley-Davidson dealer at the Gail Joyce Motor Company at 1709 3rd Avenue North.

Gail Joyce Motor Company (center) - Birmingham, AL ca. 1931
Birmingham, Alabama Public Library Archives - O.V. Hunt Collection

Harley-Davidson may have also seen it as an opportunity to thumb their nose at their racing rival Indian.  However, it came about, Walker began to dominate the short track races around the country, and Harley-Davison took full advantage of the publicity his wins brought them.

Harley-Davidson Ad - 1923

By the end of the 1923 season, Indian rehired Walker. He quickly rewarded them with a win on the board track at Los Angeles, and later wins at the Ascot Speedway. Sadly, Gene Walker died of injuries he sustained in a crash at the half mile dirt track at East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in June 1924.

So, what became of the factory for valve Harley-Davidson racer in the photo?

 I wish I knew. None of the Harley-Davidson blanked off four valve racers seem to have survived. Like their big brothers, the twin cam eight valve racers, they were very rare. I can only hope it's hiding undiscovered in some dark corner of a Birmingham warehouse. If it does turn up, I sure hope I get the first call. It will certainly take very deep pockets to own it!

Sources:

Birmingham, Alabama Public Library Archives - O.V. Hunt Collection

Don Emde Collection

Newspapers.com

Santa Cruz, CA. News

Atlanta's, Ed Wilcox - Episode #11

April 7, 2013

Updated - APRIL 16, 2015

By: David L. Morrill

@MototiqueRacing

Sylacauga, Alabama

Atlanta's Ed Wilcox
1915

The idea for this story, like many, came to me while researching another story. I was scanning through a online copy of a 1917 issue of Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated, I ran across a report of the death of racer Ed Wilcox at the Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta. I had not heard of Ed Wilcox and decided to see what I could find.

Edward Lewis Wilcox was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1879, and grew up in Brooks, Iowa. In 1903, he married Emma Lawrence, and in 1908 they moved to Loveland, Colorado. Wilcox went to work for the Indian Motorcycle Company.

 In 1912, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he became the manager of Harry Glenn's Indian Motorcycle dealership. Glenn was an accomplished professional motorcycle racer, who regularly raced at the Atlanta Motordrome board track. Glenn also sponsored talented local riders, who raced Indian motorcycles.

Indian Motorcycles

Atlanta, GA.

Wilcox was becoming an accomplished amateur motorcycle racer on his Indian motorcycle.  Harry Glenn mentored his employee Wilcox, in the racing game.  As an amateur racer, Wilcox did not compete in the races at the Atlanta Motordrome. Board track racing was a dangerous affair, and was left to contracted professional racers, like Glenn.

In May 1913, Wilcox entered the professional motorcycle class at the annual Hill Climb race held on Stewart Avenue outside Atlanta. The race featured regular production motorcycles and was not open to special racing models.  Prior to the race, Harry Glenn made an exhibition run up the hill climb course in 48 seconds on the special Indian board track racer he used at the Motordrome.

Atlanta Constitution - August 25, 1913
Terry Griffith Collection

G. L. Singleton won the amateur event, and Ed Wilcox won the professional class, with a run of 57.4 seconds. Harry Glenn finished second to Wilcox.

Atlanta Constitution May - 1913

Later that year, Wilcox competed with some of the best riders in the country in the 1913 Savannah 300 American Classic Road Races. These grueling 5-hour races consisted of 27 laps of an 11.25-mile course made up of public roadways in Savannah, Georgia. The races attracted top factory riders representing most of the major motorcycle companies. Wilcox was not among the top finishers in the 1913 race, but apparently attracted attention with his ride.

In July 1914, Wilcox was a member of the Indian Factory Team that competed in the Southern Championship Endurance Race run between Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. At the end of the three-day 860-mile event, Wilcox was one of six Indian riders that completed the race with a perfect score.

The pre-race report for the November 1914 Savannah 300 Road Race in Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review mentioned Wilcox among the returning crack competitors:

The Savannah Motorcycle Club determined the 32 entrants for the 1914 Thanksgiving Day race would be started in groups of five, with their overall starting position determined by drawing lots. Wilcox drew the number two starting position and started in the first group of five riders. At the end of the first lap, Wilcox on an Indian was second behind Savannah Harley-Davidson rider Zeddie Kelly. They were closely followed by Excelsior factory rider Joe Wolters.

1914 Savannah 300 American Classic

On the third lap Indian rider Gray Sloop left the course in a high-speed turn, struck a tree, and was killed instantly. The accident took place in full view of a large crowd of spectators. An ambulance pulled onto the track slowing the riders and jumbling the lead positions. When the track was clear, Wilcox's Indian was unable to match the speed of the factory prepared racers, and he had faded from the lead pack. On the 19th lap, Savannah rider Zeddie Kelly, who was in second at the time, crashed heavily, and was transported to the local hospital. 

 Indian 8 Valve Racer

Barber Museum Collection

Mechanical problems forced Wilcox to retire from the race on lap 24. Indian rider Lee Taylor won the race, after leader Joe Wolters slowed with a flat tire, and finished second. Wilcox was scored in 17th place. The following day Zeddie Kelly, died of his injuries. Despite the fact the 1914 race drew the largest crowd ever for an American motorcycle race, the fatalities proved too much for the City Fathers, and this was the final American Classic motorcycle race.

Wilcox started off the 1915 season in February, with a demonstration run on a sidecar equipped 1914 Indian up Georgia's Stone Mountain with Atlanta racer Harry Glenn.

Atlanta Constitution - February 28, 1915

On February 23,1915, The Atlanta Constitution reported the Wilcox won for races at the Augusta, Georgia Fairgrounds.



Atlanta Constitution - February 22, 1915

In April, 1915, Wilcox again competed in the Atlanta/Birmingham Endurance Run. He was among 22 riders, who finished the first day's run, with a perfect score. The overall race was won by W.E. DeGroat of Birmingham, Al. on a Harley-Davidson. No other results of that event are available.

Atlanta Constitution - April 5, 1915

On May 27, 1915, Wilcox set a new one-mile track record, and won the 25 Mile Race held at the track in Fitzgerald, GA.

Atlanta Constitution - May 28, 1915

On February 22, 1916, Harry Glenn, and Ed Wilcox traveled to Augusta, GA. Glenn won the 3-, 5-, and 15-mile races, and Wilcox finished second in each of the three races. Wilcox did beat Glenn in the Australian Pursuit Race.

Atlanta Constitution - February 23, 1916

In November 1916, Ed Wilcox dominated the races held during the Mecklenburg, North Carolina Fair.

Motorcycle Illustrated - November 16, 1916

On July 4th, 1917, the new Lakewood Speedway opened south of Atlanta. The 1-mile dirt oval known as the Indy of the South, hosted motorcycle races as part of their opening events.

Lakewood Speedway

A pre-race article in the Atlanta Constitution, mentioned that Ed Wilcox and M. Wise were being assisted by Harry Glenn

Gene Walker of Birmingham won both the 5-, and 10-Mile races on a Harley-Davidson. Wilcox's Indian teammate Nemo Lancaster finished second, and Wilcox third in both races.

Ed Wilcox returned to Lakewood Speedway on September 3, 1917, for the Labor Day races. Once again, he would compete with some of the best riders in the South, Including Gene Walker, and Tex Richards.

Atlanta Constitution - August 26, 1917

Wilcox lined up, with six other riders, for the start of the five-mile motorcycle race. As the race started, Wilcox was on the outside of the pack going into the first turn. Wilcox's Indian struck the wooden fence on the outside of the turn, and he sustained fatal injuries. This was the Speedway's first fatality. Wilcox's wife and young daughter were among the large crowd watching the race.

Atlanta Constitution - September 4, 1917

Adams County Free Press - September 5, 1917

It was originally thought Wilcox blew a tire, causing the accident. A later investigation revealed that both tires on Wilcox's Indian had air in them after the accident.

Atlanta Constitution - September 9, 1917

Wilcox's wife Emma, and her two children, accompanied Wilcox's body back to Iowa. 

Atlanta Constitution - September 6, 1917

Wilcox, who was 38 at the time of his death, was buried in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Corning, Iowa.

Edward L. Wilcox's Obituary
Adams County Free Press - September 8, 1917

Edward & Emma Wilcox Headstone

Walnut Grove Cemetery
Cindy Baldogo Collection



Author's Note:

In 1979 and 1981, Dale Singleton won the Daytona 200 motorcycle race for Yamaha. He was the grandson of G. L. Singleton, who won the 1913 Stewart Avenue Hill Climb in Atlanta for Pope. Dale was tragically killed in a private plane crash in 1985, while traveling to a NASCAR event. For more information on Dale's career, clink on AMA Hall of Fame link below:

Dale Singleton - American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame

Dale Singleton - AMA Hall of Fame

 Sources:

Adams County Free Press

American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame

Atlanta Constitution

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Collection

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review

Cindy Baldogo Collection

Motorcycle Illustrated

Terry Griffith Collection

Wikipedia.org

Controversial 1914 Birmingham, AL. F.A.M. Race - Episode #7

October 26, 2012

Updated - March 3, 2015

By: David L. Morrill
@ Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

American Iron Magazine - 2013

A special thank you to Buzz Kanter, and the staff of American Iron Magazine, for including this article in their American Glory Special Edition celebrating Harley-Davidson's 110th anniversary.

This story started with a trip to my local Harley-Davidson dealer a few months back. Harley is now selling early racing photographs from their achieves, and the local dealer had several framed board track photos for sale. I picked up a photo of Otto Walker taken after his win at Venice, California in April 1915.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company Archive

The small plaque on the photo claimed this was Harley-Davidson's first Championship win. That was a little surprising, as I had heard of at least one earlier Championship Race win.  I figured it was time to share a small and almost forgotten piece of Harley-Davidson's history.



1914 Harley-Davidson 11-K Racer (left)

Stripped Stock Model (right)



1914 was a pivotal year for Harley-Davidson. Although long opposed to Championship racing, the factory changed course.  They hired engineer William "Bill" Ottaway to develop their production v twin engine for racing. The result was the Harley- Davidson 11-K racer.

Harley-Davidson 11-K Racer

Leslie "Red" Parkhurst was the first rider hired by the Harley Davidson factory in 1914 to ride the new racer. By July, the racer was ready for its first big test, the Dodge City 300-Mile Road Race in Dodge City, Kansas. Parkhurst was one of six team members sent by the factory to compete in the Dodge City 300 that year. The new racers were fast, but only two of six were running at the end of the race.

Leslie "Red " Parkhurst

Daniel Statnekov Collection

On October 5, 1914, Red Parkhurst lined up for the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) One Hour Championship Race held at the Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway in Birmingham, Alabama.  Parkhurst was riding one of Bill Ottaway's factory prepared 11-K racers. Parkhurst was assisted in his pit by the new Birmingham Harley-Davidson dealer William F. Specht Jr., along with Johnny Aiken.

1914 Harley- Davidsons - Specht's Harley- Davidson Birmingahm, AL.
O. V. Hunt Collection

Specht, who was also a racer, had relocated to Birmingham from Atlantic City, New Jersey. In early 1914, he opened a Harley-Davidson dealership in Cliff Howell's bicycle shop in downtown Birmingham. The arrival of the first wagon load of 1914 Harley-Davidsons in Birmingham was documented by local photographer and motorcycle enthusiast O.V. Hunt.


In the Birmingham race, Parkhurst's chief competition was Excelsior factory rider Joe Wolters. The Birmingham Indian dealer Bob Stubbs sponsored two local racers, Gail Joyce and Gene Walker. Joyce was the more experienced of the two, having won several Southern Series races outside Birmingham. Walker had made a name for himself in the amateur ranks at the Birmingham track, but this would be his first professional race.

Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway

O.V. Hunt 1914 - Birmingham Public Library Archives

As the race started, Gene Walker jumped into the lead setting a new track record. Parkhurst was running second, followed by Wolters.  On the third lap, Parkhurst passed Walker for the lead. Walker was later passed by Wolters. Parkhurst built a considerable lead over Walker, Wolters, and Gail.  On lap 33, a fuel problem forced Parkhurst to into the pits.

Red Parkhurst

Daniel Statnekov Collection

In the Harley-Davidson pit, Specht and Aiken refueled Pankhurst's axillary fuel tank. Parkhurst attempted to clean his oil and dirt covered goggles with a handkerchief he kept tied to his handlebars. The handkerchief was also covered with oil and dirt, so Parkhurst asked a spectator for a clean handkerchief. The spectator enthusiastically provided a handkerchief, and assisted Parkhurst with cleaning his goggles. Parkhurst rejoined the race, and when the flag was thrown to end the race, he was leading Joe Wolters by half a lap. Indian rider Gene Walker took the lead at the beginning of the race, setting a new track record, and finished 3rd. Shortly after the race, Walker's Indian teammate, Gail Joyce, filled an official protest, claiming the spectator in the pits had improperly aided Parkhurst.

The results of the race were not settled until the following week at the Chicago Motorcycle Show. On Tuesday of the show, Joe Wolters approached FAM Chairman John L. Donovan claiming he was due another lap at Birmingham. He claimed he had finished a half a lap ahead of Parkhurst.

The October 27, 1914, issue of Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review quoted Chairman Donovan's finding on the two Birmingham race protests. In disallowing Joyce's protest, Chairman Donovan stated:

"Safety requires that competitors in races shall be permitted to see what they are doing. It certainly would be ridiculous to disqualify Parkhurst because he permitted someone to assist him in wiping the oil and dirt off his goggles. Parkhurst clearly is entitled to the victory."

Concerning Joe Wolters' late protest, Chairman Donovan stated:

"Of course, the rules require that protests shall be made within a half-hour after the close of the race. The rules would not permit official consideration of additional points not included in the original protest. But courtesy required that I should wire for information, and I did so. It is perfectly clear that Parkhurst won the F. A. M. hour championship fairly and squarely."

With the protests settled, Parkhurst was awarded the trophy and his winnings on the second day of the Chicago show.  Shortly after the decision was announced, a large sign proclaiming Parkhurst's victory on a "stripped stock Harley-Davidson against ported and eight valve machines," appeared behind the 11-K Harley-Davidson on display at the show. Parkhurst's win went on be the center piece of Harley-Davidson's advertising for the upcoming 1915 model.

Was the 1914 Birmingham Championship Race win the first for a Harley-Davidson factory rider on a factory prepared bike? I'll leave that one to the experts. The one/two finish of factory riders Otto Walker and Red Parkhurst in the 1915 Venice race was a more prestigious win against stiffer competition. But Parkhurst's Birmingham win may have paid a much more import role in Harley-Davidson history and opened the door for the Venice win months later.

Harley Davidson founders William Harley and William Davidson attended the July 1914 Dodge City 300 Road Race.  They made it clear in post-race comments; their intention was to provide factory prepared machines to select dealer supported riders. It appears; they had no intention of a full factory supported racing team. The publicity surrounding Parkhurst's Birmingham win may have changed their minds. In November 1914 they sent a factory supported race team to compete in the Savannah 300 Road Race in Savannah, Georgia.

This was the beginning of the famed Harley-Davidson Racing Team, which came to be known as "The Wrecking Crew." Parkhurst's 1914 Birmingham win may have opened the door for creation of a fully factory supported racing team. The Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team continues to compete today and is one of the longest running and most successful racing teams in the country.

 

Leslie "Red" Parkhurst continued to ride for Harley-Davidson through 1921 His most prestigious win came at the 1919 Marion, Indiana 200-Mile Road Race. Parkhurst retried from professional racing in 1921 but continued to race occasional events through 1924.

Reading, PA. Times - November 6, 1919

There was another participant, who benefited greatly from his finish in the 1914 Birmingham race. Gene Walker, the young local rider who finished fifth that day, was hired by the Indian factory in Springfield, Massachusetts. Walker went on to become one of the greatest riders of his time. In 1920, Motorcycling and Bicycling Magazine proclaimed Gene Walker "Champion of Champions."

Don Emde Collection

Motorcycle racing historian and 1972 Daytona 200 winner Don Emde provided this Gene Walker race poster from his collection. For more information on Gene Walker's career, please check out my article:

Gene Walker, Birmingham's Lost Racing Champion: 

http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2012/07/gene-walker-birminghams-lost-racing.html

Sources:

Birmingham, Alabama Public Library Archives

Chris Price@Georgia Motorcycle History

Don Emde Collection

Motorcycling and Bicycling

Daniel Statnekov Collection - Pioneers of American Motorcycle Racing: 
http://www.statnekov.com/motorcycles/index.html

Johnny Whitsett Collection

Reading, PA. Times

Parkhurst Family Webpage:

http://www.parkhurstfamily.org