US riders of the 30's

[iris123]

Great article of the period,with some famous,some not so,names https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/too-much-speed-speedway#page-7

Talking about too much speed on a speedway may sound like grandma’s reaction to the races. Undoubtedly it will seem funny in the face of two years’ prayers on the part of fans, promoters and riders for faster equipment and more speed. But, on the west coast, the point of diminishing returns in the matter of speed was reached before anyone realized it. And now the red flag is out.

Improvements in upkeep of the tracks, faster equipment and nerves hardened by a little more experience led western riders to faster and faster time. The promoters and officials recognized the fact first for the style of riding became less spectacular as the speed increased and the boys did less broadsiding. The riders knew they were going faster, but with two years experience under their belt they began to think that they could handle themselves in an emergency.

True, they sometimes wondered just what would happen in the event of a crack up at the higher speeds, but they accepted the danger with a shrug of their shoulders. They told themselves that in any kind of racing there is a certain element of chance and with that “merrily we go to hell” spirit they traveled the circuit and “screwed it on”.

At White Sox F. Zimmerman did a wing ding. They picked him up and took him to the hospital. Back came the report that he had a fractured skull and a lung punctured by three ribs. Zimmerman was not quite such an old head as some of the other boys and everyone was prone to charge his misfortune to his lack of experience.

Shortly thereafter Bob Keller, hero of many hillclimbs, an ardent sports enthusiast in every branch of motorcycling and lately a hot shot on the speedways, took the count after a mix up with other riders. He is convalescing in the hospital nursing a jaw broken in two or three places, a broken arm and a broken leg. He had other injuries. Even in his case was inexperience mentioned.

Then at Emeryville Ray Grant figured in a crack up. One rider bounded off the crash wall, tripping another who fell in the path of Grant. Ray might possibly have put his motor down, but his reasoning or his reflexes told him to try to keep going. He seemed to tangle with his motor in midair. One moment he was the ultra broadsider riding that beautiful style for which he was famous up and down the coast. The next he was a huddle on the track.

A veteran of the sport in this country, Ray may never ride again. He lay unconscious for nine days. His brain is separated from his skull and constant attention and frequent operations are necessary to drain the area so that the two may grow together again.

Ray is married to Putt Mossman’s sister, Dessy. She traveled the circuit with Ray. Every night she sat in the stands and rooted for him. Hundreds are the fans who have seen her eyes sparkle as she watched the field and cried, “Come on, honey. Take ‘em honey.” She is at his side in the Oakland hospital rooting for him in the closest race Ray has had. When Ray can talk she plans with him toward the time when he hopes to race again.

Inexperience? That couldn’t be charged to Ray. Nor could it be charged to Cordy Milne. At Bakersfield he tangled and came out with a broken collar bone. It couldn’t be the case with Lammy Lamareaux, who chilled 5,000 spectators at Loyola when his foot rest went nearly through Slim Meyers helmet in an accident which landed Lammy face first on the crash wall. Lammy is riding again, though without the same teeth figuring in his sunny smile. Cordy is soon to restart.

Then came the incident which stunned fans, promoters and riders alike. It was in the final scratch event at San Diego. Bo Lisman was on the pole, Byrd McKinney next, “Sprouts” Elder in third position and Jack Milne on the outside. They shoved off, rounded the track and came across the line for a perfect start. Four motors snapped wide open and headed for the first turn. Bo clung to the pole. Byrd was broadsiding at a terrific rate trying to stay even up with Bo. “Sprouts” was trying to get around before the two inside men should block him. As Byrd drifted, it was easy for “Sprouts” to drift with him, but, he had Jack in mind on the outside. If he drifted he might put Jack through the fence. Had he moved out all would have been well, because Jack had dropped back a length. As it was, “Sprouts” tried to hold Byrd in and the latter’s rear wheel spilled him. Almost as he fell Jack crashed into him.

Everyone gasped, then remained silent. “Sprouts” lay where he fell. Ordinarily the fans start filing out with the fall of the checkered flag in the last event. This night they hung back. “Sprouts,” who usually gets to his feet and greets the crowd with that peculiar little salute which is all his own, was lifted into the ambulance and whisked out of the field. He had a broken back.

“Sprouts” will be a month or six weeks in the hospital at San Diego before he can be moved to his home in Fresno. There, in the sunshine of the San Joaquin, he will fight his battle of recovery. Will “Sprouts” ride again? That question is on the lips of every fan. It seems certain that he cannot ride any more this season. Beyond that, only the physical strength of the champion, his fighting spirit and time can tell.

What does all this prove? It proves that two years experience may produce fast riding, but does not assure the ultimate in control. It proves that no matter how fast a fellow can ride, if he can’t handle his mount in an emergency he is in a sense riding over his head. To those who have closely observed the shows another thing has been evident. With the increase in speed, close finishes gave way to parades. A rider may break the track record, but if he ends up too far out in front it does not seem to thrill the crowd. More times than not the announcer says, “So and so just broke the track record for this type of event. Let’s give him a hand.” Then and only then does the public think to applaud. But let two riders come battling across the line to a close finish at half the speed and the crowd stands up to yowl. The announcer states that one fellow won and the crowd is cheering so loud they don’t hear him. Or, the finish is so close that nobody knows who won. “We will give you the decision of the judges in just a moment,” says the master of the “mike.” Then when the decision is made and announced there is no need to ask for a hand. The response is deafening.

While this criticism is made with respect to west coast tracks it may offer food for thought to other circuits wherein the riders are rapidly developing speed. From Brooklyn comes a report on their status to date. This track which was the first in the eastern circuit to actually get started with night speedway racing has, at the time of the report, put on eleven meets. Three of them were complicated due to rain. Each show has had not less than eighteen events on the program. Thirty riders have figured in the competition with twelve different makes of machines. Included in the latter are J.A.P., Norton, Douglas, Ariel, B.S.A., Harley-Davidson, Indian and specials of various design. At the present time the shows are run off in 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Track regulations require pushers to wear white coveralls and they are permitted on the track only while starting their riders. The only advertising permitted on the coveralls is the rider’s name and the make of machine. Officials wear white coats furnished by the track with Metropolitan Racing Association on the back. The four corner men are supplied with white coveralls with Metropolitan Racing Association on the back and are armed with a red flag and a rake. The doctor is always on the infield and there are two professional nurses in readiness. The ambulance has thus far been used only as an ornament. In the foregoing is some food for thought for the western tracks. Attendance at the Coney Island track has varied from 1,000 to 3,500. Goldie Restall turns the measured fifth in a time of 1:17 for 4 laps.

The track at Union, N.J., is under the same management (Vic. Brunzell, track manager and W. Heiserman, general manager). At the time of report it had put on five shows. The minimum attendance was 4,000 and the maximum was 8,000. Shows on this track are now staged in 1 hour and 50 minues. This track, like the Coney Island track, measures 1/5-mile, 18 inches from the pole.

The eastern season started with Wally Heuber, Douglas, being top man and followed by Crocky Rawding;, Freddy Toscani, Ken H. Verrill and George Matheson. The tide soon changed with George Matheson coming to the front trailed by Verrill, Rawding, Bill Nicolls and Happy Haberman. Then Rawding was leading and looking unbeatable.

Goldie Restall bought Billy Lamont’s J.A.P. and he forged to the front. Two weeks later George Matheson changed his Velocette for a brand new Norton and Crocky Rawding changed to a Bush Special 30.50 with the result it is almost a toss-up between Goldie Restall, Crocky Rawding, Freddy Toscani, Fred Marsh, and Bill Nicolls. The ten-yard men number Schnitzer, Schweit, Pulcare, Verrill, Kaufman, Haberman, Restall, Hamilton and Tamburro.

There is no current information at hand relative to the tracks in Freeport, L.I., and North Haven, Conn. The former is running every Friday night and the latter every Thursday night.

Of possible interest to eastern fans who may wish to compare the speed of their favorites with the time established by some of the boys who have been riding two years are the following track records. At Long Beach the one lap record of 16 4/5 seconds is held by Earl Farrand. He also holds the record for 4 laps in the scratch events of one minute nine and three-fifths seconds. Long Beach is a surveyed track measuring one- fifth mile eighteen inches from the pole. At Loyola the one lap record is 15 3/5 seconds, held by Sprouts Elder and Cordy Milne set up the time of one minute three and four-fifths seconds for the 4-lap scratch events. The Loyola track is approximately 20 yards under a fifth. It also varies from Long Beach in the length of its straight-a-ways.

A champion of no mean repute, a veteran of many races abroad and now at home in Portland, Oregon, is Ray Tauser. Ray started his career in the Pacific Northwest. Hearing of the activities of other American riders who were abroad he went to England in January, 1929. In one of his early appearances he broke the track record at Wembley Stadium. To establish a name for himself Ray had to beat such famous riders as Vic Huxley, Frank Arthur, Ron Johnson, Sig Schlam, Roger Frogley, Jack Barker, Collin Watson and Jim Kempster. On one or two occasions early in his career Ray raced against “Sprouts” Elder.

Ray raced in England, France, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. During the last year in foreign countries he won the World’s Dirt Track Derby at Davies Track in Brisbane, Australia; The English Star Trophy; The Australian Championship; and the International French Championship. At present he is visiting his folks in Portland. He may return to England. It is to be hoped that next season, if not this, Ray may find it possible to ride before the American fans. Ray is an all around gentleman and a regular fellow.

Elsewhere in this issue we hear through Ivan J. Stretten of a death in the middle west which resulted from participation in an outlaw event. As this issue of The Motorcyclist goes to press the report is received of a similar incident in the Los Angeles territory. Walter Bray, commonly known by the simple cognomen of “Slim” died of an injury received riding a 30.50 job on an improvised track. The motor had a bent frame and probably would not have passed muster on a sanctioned track where it would have been inspected by the official referee.

Details of the accident are not clear. Whatever the accident was it resulted in a skull fracture. The rider was taken from the track, unconscious. Apparently he did not recover consciousness until the time of his death .

Although several outlaw tracks were opened in the western territory practically all of them were short lived. One track has remained in operation but on a basis that has not been very profitable to the riders and most certainly has not contributed anything to the sport of speedway racing. Three or four A.M.A. riders, not satisfied with their progress as beginners, left the ranks of the A.M.A. to ride on the outlaw track. They were suspended from the A.M.A. Later they tried to come back in but found to their sorrow that the procedure was more involved than they had anticipated. They had to leave the A.M.A. to find out what that organization stood for.

Since that time they have been battling riders on stock model machines, specials of questionable design and the inevitable gate percentages. Customers are for the most part recruited from the nearby highway at 25 cents per car. The percentages have been disappointing.

Fortunately the public in the vicinity of the track and the fatal accident are well enough versed in speedway racing to recognize it as just what it is. It is hoped they will bear this in mind when they receive the news of the accident.

Last minute word from the northern circuit indicates that a chap by the name of Baer sustained a skull fracture on the track in Fresno. This track is of quarter-mile dimensions. Accurate details of Baer ‘s condition are not available beyond the surmise that there were two fractures instead of one. It is believed that this rider will pull through.

 

Lammy Lamareaux, who demonstrates in this shot how much a rider can change style. Lammy started out holding his foot forward and riding straight up. Here he is seen riding low over his machine, broadsiding and dragging the left foot well to the rear. Lamareaux is the fastest rider on the California circuit at the present time.

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Ray Tauser photographed as he was dressed ready for team racing abroad. The background to his number is red as is the cover for his crash helmet. Since his first appearance in England in 1929 Ray has annexed many laurels as a champion speedway racer.

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George Mathewson, on a new Norton, snapped on the Holmes Recruiting track which is used for practice only. The facilities for practice explain part of the rapid development in eastern riders.

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Bill Nicolls pictured in the midst of some broadsiding while on the practice track. Bill is one of the leading eastern riders.

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A daytime shot of the Coney Island track which is managed and operated by Vic Brunzell and Bill Heiserman.

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Goldie Restall, on a J.A.P. which he purchased from the string which Billy Lamont brought to this country. Restall turns a measured fifth in 1:17 for four laps.

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Edited February 5, 2019 by iris123

[iris123]

Some good news.It seems Ray Grant did ride again after his horrific sounding head injury.He was with brother in law,Putt Mossman down under in NZ in 1935

https://www.historicspeedway.co.nz/putt_mossman_in_new_zealand.htm

[chunky]

Great stuff, Doug; thanks for sharing!

Steve

[iris123]

Here is a curiousity.Putt Mossman attempting to jump the River Lee at Hoddesdon,Rye House!!!

 

[iris123]

2 minutes ago, gustix said:

I cannot see any mention of the spectacular Manuel Trujillo. If there is one perhaps I can be guided to it.

It is a contemporary report on the sport in 1933,not a list of every rider.Trujillo though is mentioned in my link Mossman in New Zealand

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, gustix said:

I cannot see any mentions of either the spectacular Manuel Trujillo or Bud Reda who were both riding at this. If there are perhaps I can be guided to them.

 

7 minutes ago, iris123 said:

It is a contemporary report on the sport in 1933,not a list of every rider.Trujillo though is mentioned in my link Mossman in New Zealand

Gosh! A reply almost on the time I posted or had a chance to edit. Hence no mention of Bud Reda who was an East Coast rider pre-WW2 and in 1950 rode in Ireland, Holland and the second-half at Wimbledon and Bristol.

[iris123]

There is one of those slightly dodgy Hyam pieces on Mossman to be found on that Museum site,which seems to state Mossman disappeared,when in fact he appeared on national tv with the legendary host Johnny Carson in the 60s

Instead I would recommend this very interesting article

https://thevintagent.com/2017/10/07/showman-in-a-suitcase-putt-mossman/

Edited February 5, 2019 by iris123

[Guest]

14 minutes ago, iris123 said:

There is one of those slightly dodgy Hyam pieces on Mossman to be found on that Museum site,which seems to state Mossman disappeared,when in fact he appeared on national tv with the legendary host Johnny Carson in the 60s

Instead I would recommend this very interesting article

https://thevintagent.com/2017/10/07/showman-in-a-suitcase-putt-mossman/

How the AMA Hall of Fame recognised Putt Mossman.

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=237

[Guest]

1 hour ago, iris123 said:

There is one of those slightly dodgy Hyam pieces on Mossman to be found on that Museum site,which seems to state Mossman disappeared,when in fact he appeared on national tv with the legendary host Johnny Carson in the 60s

Here's a Link to the "slightly dodgy" item re Putt Mossman.

http://www.national-speedway-museum.co.uk/puttmossman.html

[iris123]

Yes,as always no depth of research.The other links are far more interesting imo

As has been said often,a rather poor website and your articles fit perfectly

Edited February 5, 2019 by iris123

[Sidney the robin]

7 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Yes,as always no depth of research.The other links are far more interesting imo

As has been said often,a rather poor website and your articles fit perfectly

Nothing ever changes why do you act like this? don't comment move on to another thread.You are a gluten for punishment you regularly get beastied on the EU in/out thread  and  my advice  to you is DONT come on the yesteryear threads because you always try to ruin them.

[iris123]

22 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

Nothing ever changes why do you act like this? don't comment move on to another thread.You are a gluten for punishment you regularly get beastied on the EU in/out thread  and  my advice  to you is DONT come on the yesteryear threads because you always try to ruin them.

Stop acting the idiot as usual!!Move on to another thread?Why?I started this one and it is a very good article I posted.Gustix comes on with something about why Manuel Trujillo isn’t mentioned in the article,when if he looked the article was written in 1933 the year Trujillo started.Maybe he hadn’t even raced by the time the article was written.Maybe he was just a novice?Anyway my opinion is the other articles on Mossman are far superior to the one Gustix wrote

Edited February 5, 2019 by iris123

[Sidney the robin]

14 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Stop acting the idiot as usual!!Move on to another thread?Why?I started this one and it is a very good article I posted.Gustix comes on with something about why Manuel Trujillo isn’t mentioned in the article,when if he looked the article was written in 1933 the year Trujillo started.Maybe he hadn’t even raced by the time the article was written.Maybe he was just a novice?Anyway my opinion is the other articles on Mossman are far superior to the one Gustix wrote

 

Get a life Saddo move on,,you have had a agenda for ages and you love confrontation.

Edited February 5, 2019 by Sidney the robin

[iris123]

Just now, Sidney the robin said:

Get a life Saddo move on

,you have had a agenda for ages and you love confrontation.

If you have nothing to contribute,and you & Gustix rarely do,jog on

[Sidney the robin]

Just now, iris123 said:

If you have nothing to contribute,and you & Gustix rarely do,jog on

My answer to you is simple f.... you.!!!!!

[chunky]

15 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

Nothing ever changes why do you act like this? don't comment move on to another thread.You are a gluten for punishment you regularly get beastied on the EU in/out thread  and  my advice  to you is DONT come on the yesteryear threads because you always try to ruin them.

Quite honestly, that is one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen!  Okay, I know iris can be abrasive, and I know you are not a fan of his, but you need to look in the mirror sometimes instead of making comments like "why do you act like this?"

This is HIS thread, and he has - as is not uncommon - some fascinating information for us.  Like me, he is genuinely interested in the "years gone by". It's not like he is just coming on here to antagonize others - seriously. You can see by comments from others, including myself, that we are perplexed by some of the self-promoting (and often poorly produced) posts by a certain forum member. Even as strongly as we feel about John's posts at times, nobody is "advising" him to stay away from the forum, and there is absolutely no reason for you to make such ridiculous statements about another forum member who provides us with some great stuff.

Steve

[iris123]

Just now, Sidney the robin said:

My answer to you is simple f.... you.!!!!!

Of course it would be simple!!!surprise,surprise

[Sidney the robin]

6 minutes ago, chunky said:

Quite honestly, that is one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen!  Okay, I know iris can be abrasive, and I know you are not a fan of his, but you need to look in the mirror sometimes instead of making comments like "why do you act like this?"

This is HIS thread, and he has - as is not uncommon - some fascinating information for us.  Like me, he is genuinely interested in the "years gone by". It's not like he is just coming on here to antagonize others - seriously. You can see by comments from others, including myself, that we are perplexed by some of the self-promoting (and often poorly produced) posts by a certain forum member. Even as strongly as we feel about John's posts at times, nobody is "advising" him to stay away from the forum, and there is absolutely no reason for you to make such ridiculous statements about another forum member who provides us with some great stuff.

Steve

You are bias Steve  to loyal Iris does put some good stuff on and i have learned a lot but he has that touch of nastiness about him.Also any Thread Steve is the forum's thread not the individual who created it.

Edited February 5, 2019 by Sidney the robin

[iris123]

4 minutes ago, chunky said:

Quite honestly, that is one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen!  Okay, I know iris can be abrasive, and I know you are not a fan of his, but you need to look in the mirror sometimes instead of making comments like "why do you act like this?"

This is HIS thread, and he has - as is not uncommon - some fascinating information for us.  Like me, he is genuinely interested in the "years gone by". It's not like he is just coming on here to antagonize others - seriously. You can see by comments from others, including myself, that we are perplexed by some of the self-promoting (and often poorly produced) posts by a certain forum member. Even as strongly as we feel about John's posts at times, nobody is "advising" him to stay away from the forum, and there is absolutely no reason for you to make such ridiculous statements about another forum member who provides us with some great stuff.

Steve

A very fair post Steve.I hold my hand to sometimes being abrasive as you say,but my interest in the period is genuine.And I think a lot of people can see just what gustix is up to often enough.As you say if he sticks to giving info rather than seemingly trying to self promote websites etc then nobody would mind

[Sidney the robin]

10 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Of course it would be simple!!!surprise,surprise

 

 

10 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Of course it would be simple!!!surprise,surprise

Like yourself horrible little man.

Edited February 5, 2019 by Sidney the robin