Board-Track Racing: Those Crazy Men and their Two-Wheeled Machines

[RP McMurphy]

I did a search of the lounge, and apparently there are NO threads pertaining specifically to Board Track Racing, possibly the maddest 1920's spectacle sport outside of Barnstorming.

A brief description: Board track racing peaked during the late 1910's and mid-20's. The races were run on oval-shaped tracks made of boards rather than nice, sensible concrete. The boards were apparently cheap and easy to come by, but made for a heck of a head-ache if you crashed. Good thing the bikes had lots of safety features... such as... umm.. none. Many bikes appear to be little more than bicycle frames with 1000 cc. engines bolted on. Speed was controlled by a kill switch. One gear. No throttle or brakes.

Anyone have links to era photos, or favorite bikes they'd like to post? Or clothing inspired by early motorcycle racing? Heavy wool sweaters, leather gloves and boots seem to be the order of the day...

Check out the photos below

http://www.daheim.com/indian/white3.jpg
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2009-10-20-harleymuseumboardtrack.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7k4vq02xE...Cq-8/s1600/board+track.jpg+%281000x769%29.jpg
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=65853

 

[RP McMurphy]

 

[Stearmen]

Board Track

Here are some photos showing how steep the banks were, and the construction methods. They were suppose to lay the boards down with the grain going in the direction of the race. When they got it wrong, the riders would get splinters the size of bayonets in them! Don't forget Flying Merkel!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Great pix!

 

[Tomasso]

How about some vids:

[video=youtube;z1ojxuLYokA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ojxuLYokA[/video]


[video=youtube;2XNjSu18IRg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XNjSu18IRg&feature=related[/video]

 

[Mawr]

I have a distant cousin who was a famous board track racer. My Dad used to talk about cousin Eddie Hasha, a famous motorcycle racer who would jump over his competition but I always thought those were just stories when a few years ago I came across the true story of Eddie Hasha who died in one of the worst motorcycle racing accidents ever to happen. The accident was so horrendous that it lead to the closure of the Newark, NJ board track. Here's a a link to the story:http://www.statnekov.com/motorcycles/lives4.html