Mile dirt rack times

[pem]

What is a good source for race times on mile dirt tracks in the teens. Is there a good book or other source that would have this. I already thought of "The American Racer" and newspaper archives but there must be others.

Thanks

[govmule84]

What is a good source for race times on mile dirt tracks in the teens. Is there a good book or other source that would have this. I already thought of "The American Racer" and newspaper archives but there must be others.

Thanks

I may be showing my ignorance here, but I thought flat track didn't really pick up until the 20s... I thought the first AMA-sanctioned FT race was in '24 or so?

If I found mile times for the teens and early twenties, I would personally assume I was seeing numbers put on the boards, not on the dirt, but maybe there is some early history here I'm not privy to.

[duffeycycles]

AMA did not santion races before 1924 because the AMA was formed in 1923 or 24

[brettxlch]

Now some of you guys with DEEP pockets could build some dirt track racers. They race board trackers again, but on asphalt....Food for thought guys...Muffler Mike....build it ,and they will come...

[JoJo357]

Now some of you guys with DEEP pockets could build some dirt track racers. They race board trackers again, but on asphalt....Food for thought guys...Muffler Mike....build it ,and they will come...

Funny, Billy Lane(Sons of Speed) has only been doing that Florida concrete oval series for a few years. Michael Lange, Gene Baron and Chadwell were running Board Track Exhibition in the early 1980's at Wauseon AMCA and Davenport when it was AMCA. Since 2007 Scotty Brown(Wauseon Promoter) and the George Brothers(Davenport promoters), have been running sanctioned racing with Board Track M/C's ever since. Brown & George collaborated with Michael Lange to promote the Wauseon & Davenport events. Billy gathered a lot of the credit, only because of the high dollar media coverage and rider base surrounding his events. But, in all actuality, Lane is the johnny come lately!!!
www.bikedays.com

*M.A.D.*

[JoJo357]

What is a good source for race times on mile dirt tracks in the teens. Is there a good book or other source that would have this. I already thought of "The American Racer" and newspaper archives but there must be others.

Thanks

Here's some lengthy reading *pem. But, hands down, Stephen Wright's Book--'American Racer'-1900-1940, is the definitive read! Unfortunately, used prints are steep, but it is well worth it! The 'AMA History' Link below, is an interesting story most people are not even aware of!

www.dlmracing.blogspot.com

https://www.americanmotorcyclist.com...ory-of-the-ama
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...ggFc-CNRReKe8H

51nz-kQlQTL._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg >>>Author: Stephen Wright.
fullsizeoutput_68a.jpg >>>100 mile championship Race at Sheepshead Bay, NY. *Debut of H-D 8 Valve Board Track.
Ralph Hepburn San Carlos 1922.jpg
fullsizeoutput_689.jpg

*M.A.D.*

[pem]

Thanks everybody, I was hoping for a all in one source but searching the old magazines is probably the best source. Plus "The American Racer" of course. Unfortunately I sold my copies years ago and now wish I had one. I bought my second copy at a Half Price Book's store in Madison in the 1990's. I should have bought all of them at the time. Duh!

[duffeycycles]

Google has some of the teens books-readable online

[TomL]

There was a TV special a few years ago about the Harley Davidson factory since its beginning until the Knucklehead. Lots of scenes around the country and County Fairs with dirt oval racing. I do not remember if they "clocked" the racing, does anyone? But as Badger34 posted, there was plenty of that type of racing. There was a scene that showed "board" racing the factory's decision to not sponsor or participate in due to the dangers/deaths incurred. They did however promote dirt oval. Wish the networks or whomever has the say so would run that show again.

[brettxlch]

Funny, Billy Lane(Sons of Speed) has only been doing that Florida concrete oval series for a few years. Michael Lange, Gene Baron and Chadwell were running Board Track Exhibition in the early 1980's at Wauseon AMCA and Davenport when it was AMCA. Since 2007 Scotty Brown(Wauseon Promoter) and the George Brothers(Davenport promoters), have been running sanctioned racing with Board Track M/C's ever since. Brown & George collaborated with Michael Lange to promote the Wauseon & Davenport events. Billy gathered a lot of the credit, only because of the high dollar media coverage and rider base surrounding his events. But, in all actuality, Lane is the johnny come lately!!!
www.bikedays.com

*M.A.D.*

Oh i know Billy got credit for restarting it...but he was like in 3rd place, Its funny isnt it a name on TV /media, and all of a sudden their the founding fathers of rebirth. Dirt track would be fun but........i think much more dangerous to the guys riding them and the bike value..I may purchase that book , looks like its well worth the price..brett

[exeric]

There was a TV special a few years ago about the Harley Davidson factory since its beginning until the Knucklehead. Lots of scenes around the country and County Fairs with dirt oval racing. I do not remember if they "clocked" the racing, does anyone? But as Badger34 posted, there was plenty of that type of racing. There was a scene that showed "board" racing the factory's decision to not sponsor or participate in due to the dangers/deaths incurred. They did however promote dirt oval. Wish the networks or whomever has the say so would run that show again.

That 3 part series was mostly fiction, with lot's of artistic license There are some great books out there that chronicle that amazing era of motorcycling and they should have used that research instead of making up their own stories. My favorite book about that remarkable time was 'AMERICAN RACER 1900-1939' written by Stephen Wright. It's a difficult book to find, and expensive when you do find a copy; but you'll never see a better book about early board track, and dirt track racing.

[TomL]

So "Based on a True Story" means mostly fiction in the film industry or a more pleasant way to say "outright lie"? The producers should have their "artistic license" forever revoked!

[brettxlch]

That 3 part series was mostly fiction, with lot's of artistic license There are some great books out there that chronicle that amazing era of motorcycling and they should have used that research instead of making up their own stories. My favorite book about that remarkable time was 'AMERICAN RACER 1900-1939' written by Stephen Wright. It's a difficult book to find, and expensive when you do find a copy; but you'll never see a better book about early board track, and dirt track racing.

You bet it is 475.00 ...to rich for my blood. Wish they would reprint it...I was thinking more like a 100.00 bux....

[aumick10]

Amazon Prime show them in stock at $275
Mick

[JoJo357]

I've seen em' go as low as $175.00. But you'll have to get on the Amazon mailing list--and then hump on it!

*M.A.D.*