US riders of the 30's

[iris123]

Something I did find interesting, was a get together of motorcycle racers in Caifornia in 1963. The Milne brothers attended and it stated flowers were sent to a very ill Lammy(who sadly died not long after). But it was said that some film was shown of flat track, plus night speedway and of the Milne's and the world final where the US took all the podium spots. Being in California I would have thought there would be a good bit of footage of speedway, but nothing seems to be online

[chunky]

16 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Home of Sprouts Elder. But when I looked on wiki for the famous sons and daughters of Fresno, his name wasn't amongst them

That is a little odd, seeing that he was really was a well-known public figure, and there is quite a bit off stuff online. Here is a tribute to Sprouts from the September 1957 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine (I have included the spelling mistakes!)

"Lloyd "Sprouts" Elder has received the final checkered flag! To present riders, the name doesn't mean much, but to the old-timers, it means that one of the greatest short track racers has passed on. Sprouts was known all over the world.

England will remember him as one of the founders of cinder track racing which become so popular in the early thirties, in fact, crowds of 75,000 were common. South America will remember him as the world champion and Australia will recall that he was the best exponent of the short track broadslide.

We will always remember him as one of the finest, most loyal supporters that the AMA had. Sprouts was instrumental in organizing the Eastern circuit of short tracks when the boys were riding every night in the week! He got the two circuits going on the coast, in fact one track at Long Beach was built to his specifications, sunken pits, etc.

He visualized several circuits and winding up with a World Series and we had a couple of them. After he hung up his handlebars he served as AMA referee for the East and later he joined the California Highway Patrol where he served with distinction. He was severely injured while on duty and only his indomitable spirit and will to win kept him alive.

In the past years he has loafed and taken life easy. The sport of motorcycling owes "Sprouts" much, and we know that the Milne brothers, Cordy and Jack, Lammy Lamoreaux, Jimmy Gibbs, Crocky Rawding, Bennie Kaufman, and Bo Lisman, all former cinder track stars, will echo our statement that there was only one kingpin "Sprouts Elder".

To know him was a pleasure, to be his friends was a privilege. He lived, ate, and slept motorcycles. Old "No. 4" has passed on; but that spirit will forever be present whenever and wherever motorcycles are mentioned."

[chunky]

Another track I was not familiar with, in Stockton, CA. This was from the San Pedro News Pilot, on 2nd July, 1935.

Miny Waln Cops Feature Bike Race at Stockton

"Miny Waln, Syracuse, N.Y., won the final scratch event of a motorcycle racing program marked by several spills at the Stockton speedway last night. Sam Arena, San Jose, finished second to the former national champion in the main race."

[chunky]

Okay, gustix, why are you confused by the post I made above about Sprouts Elder?

[waiheke1]

3 hours ago, chunky said:

Okay, gustix, why are you confused by the post I made above about Sprouts Elder?

A. Because he is easily confused

B. Because he is an attention seeking troll

C. Because he is a sad old man with nothing better to do

D. All of the above

Take your pick...

[chunky]

Keeping with the subject of Sprouts Elder - who apparently confuses people (or a person, anyway) - here is an interesting item from the Oakland Tribune, dated 9th July, 1933.

Elder Entered In Police Race

"Leading motorcycle racers of the Pacific Coast are being signed for the benefit flat track program to be sponsored by the Alameda County members of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen at Emeryville Speedway, Sunday afternoon, July 23.

Proceeds from the race schedule will be used to partially defray expenses of the association's three-day convention here late in October.

Such riders as "Sprouts" Elder, Bo Lisman, Miny Waln, and Wilbur Lamoureaux already have been obtained for the program, according to Lieut. Charles Hemphill, chairman of publicity for the affair. Lieutenant Hemphill, head of the Oakland traffic division, is a past president of the patrolmen's organization.

Inspector Elmer Steinmeyer of the patrol has been named general chairman of race preparations. He is being aided by all members of the county division, which maintains headquarters in Hayward, and local police officials. Rudy Schmoke of Sacramento is association president."

Edited June 10, 2020 by chunky

[chunky]

Moving ahead four years, this is taken from the Fresno Bee on 13th June, 1937. There are a few new names to note here!

Garland Johnson Heads First Entries For Airport Speedway Races

"Broadsliding motorcycle riders will revive the spectacular sport in Fresno this week with an eighteen-event program marking the first of a Summer series of races at 8.15 p.m. Thursday on the one-fifth-mile oval of the Airport Speedway on Kearney Boulevard.

A field of sixteen riders, all well known through regular appearances in Fresno during the past few years' events on the Fresno State College Stadium track, have been signed to compete in the opening program which is the first to be arranged in California this season. The riders have been idle since foreign competition lured many of the state's top-notchers out of the country and caused curtailment of local races through lack of local talent.

Garland Johnson of Pasadena, always a favorite with Fresno motorbike fans; Lou Casazza of San Francisco, Bud Laughlin and Al Lauer of Sacramento and Field Helgason of Stockton heads the invading contingent for the initial race program. Others booked for the event are Otto Lauer, Ewald Schnitzer, Oliver Kalen and Harry Sands of Sacramento, Dick Wulzen of San Francisco, Ernie Criss of Oakland, Angel Alari of Los Angeles, Leonard Andres, Roy Andres and Alvin Thompson of Stockton, and Stanley Bennett of Rio Vista. Johnson and Schnitzer recently returned from Australia.

A group of Fresnans headed by J.C. and William Burnett has received official sanction from the American Motorcycle Association at Columbus, Ohio, to promote local races this season. They plan a number of innovations to improve competitive conditions and make the programs more interesting to watch.

Chief among the changes is the switch from the college stadium to Airport Speedway track. Observers believe the shortened straightaway and wider curves of the Italian Entertainment Park speedway will enable the riders to "slide" with greater freedom and obviate the necessity for slowing down for hazards such as the bottleneck curves on the stadium track. In England and Australia, where motorcycle races draw tremendous crowds, all tracks are either one-fifth or one-sixth mile affairs with practically no straightaways."

 

[chunky]

Here's a preview of the first team racing at Fresno. It is from the Madera Tribune on 28th August, 1935.

Team Racing Fresno Speedway Thursday

"Team racing will be ushered into Fresno Thursday night for the first time on the program of the Fresno Speedway Association's weekly short track motorcycle races in the state college stadium.

The team matches this week will be run off in orthodox style. One form of match races with four riders in a heat were exhibited a few weeks ago, but were regarded as test match races between Australian and American riders.

The races this week will be between two six-man teams, one from northern California and the other from southern end of the state. It will also mark the opening of sectional rivalry.

The teams, captained by Wilbur (Lammy) Lamoreaux of Sacramento, and Bo Lisman of Long Beach, will be divided into three pairs with each pair on each team meeting in a series of nine heats.

As a final to the team races, the four high point men in the competition, regardless of their team membership, will go into a four lap final event.

Aiding the dashing Frenchman will be Ken Scofield, Sam Owen, Al Chasteen, and the choice between Ray Grant and Lou Casazza.

Lisman's team will include Bert Lewis and Manuel Trujillo of the scratch rider's ranks, Tiny Carroll, and two new riders, "Snooks" Blankenburg and Ed Hinkle."

Edited June 10, 2020 by chunky

[chunky]

Also from the Madera Tribune, this time on 26th August, 1936.

Motorcycle Races Resumed Thursday

"When the weekly short-track motorcycle races are resumed Thursday night on the Fresno State college stadium track, there will be at least four scratch riders in the field.

Entries have been received to date from Wilbur (Lammy) Lamoreaux, Flying Frenchman from Sacramento, Ray Tauser, likeable cyclist from Portland, Bo Lisman, Long Beach Terror, and Byrd McKinney, the flashy Pasadena rider.

Harry Wilson, sponsor of the races, expects to obtain the entry of Earl Farrand, the Glendale Ghost, and perhaps Miny Waln and Bert Lewis. The latter two are on a pleasure trip east and may return in time to get into action. If they do not get back this week, they surely will be on hand for second race, the following week."

 

Edited June 10, 2020 by chunky

[chunky]

Some more Sprouts Elder now. From 1st July, 1934, this was published in the Fresno Bee. One of the main reasons for posting this is another couple of new names.

Lamoreaux And Elder To Race Again Thursday

"A rematch between Lloyd (Sprouts) Elder and Wilbur (Lammy) Lamoreaux will be offered to Fresno racing fans Thursday night at thecwerkly short track motorcycle races in the state college stadium sponsored by the Night Speedway Association.

The return meeting between the two champions, Elder with the distinction of being world's champion and Lamoreaux, the national champion, was arranged after Lamoreaux made the statement that he would have beaten Elder except for bumps throwing him out of line on the finishing stretch.

Elder took Lamoreaux's measure in the two-lap match race by a narrow margin, while Lammy came back in the scratch final to beat the former by a scant margin.

At any rate, one of the riders promises to bring the national championship honors to the Fresno track with him following that event in Los Angeles. It lasts until Tuesday.

Garland Johnson of Pasadena also will step into the limelight at the stadium with a special time trial to determine whether he will be moved into a scratch rider's position.

Johnson will be given a flying start for the one-lap time attempt and in the event his time equals that of a scratch rider he will lose the five-yard handicap ordinarily allowed him in handicap races.

A host of other riders will back up the list on the program. Putt Mossman, sensational trick rider who gave exhibitions in trick riding last week, will be entered; Mossman won the final handicap rave last week.

Other riders included on the program will be Frank Servetl, Lou Casazza, on a new J.A.P. motor; Al Owen, Otto Lauer, Bud Laughlin, Oliver Clow, Wilbur Woldit, Ed Spadafore on a new Crocker Special, Ed Jones, Ray Holt, Leonard Andres and Burton Albrecht.

A new loud-speaking system also will be installed for the show."

Edited June 10, 2020 by chunky

[iris123]

On ‎6‎/‎9‎/‎2020 at 5:03 AM, chunky said:

. In England and Australia, where motorcycle races draw tremendous crowds, all tracks are either one-fifth or one-sixth mile affairs with practically no straightaways."

 

This part is interesting and surely wrong. I know it has been mentioned that at the time the surface used in the US was different to that in Australia and the UK, but the track shape was similar, was it? Just going from one or two photos. But it seems the 1960s revival was based on much smaller tracks ? Jack Milne being involved in that

[chunky]

8 minutes ago, iris123 said:

This part is interesting and surely wrong. I know it has been mentioned that at the time the surface used in the US was different to that in Australia and the UK, but the track shape was similar, was it? Just going from one or two photos. But it seems the 1960s revival was based on much smaller tracks ? Jack Milne being involved in that

Tthat's one of the reasons I find these cuttings interesting; there seems to be a lot of misleading information. The way the articles read usually, it appears that the journalist isn't totally familiar with the sport, and tends to rely on hearsay. However, some of the writing is poor, and it is difficult to gauge whether the size and shape of the tracks refers to England and Australia, or just Australia.

Thing is, we know that British tracks DID vary in length (NOT all one-fifth or one-sixth of a mile) and that the vast majority of them had noticeable straights. We also know that certain Australian tracks WERE more circular, with virtually no straights, but tended to be larger.

To me, it comes down to lazy reporting...

[chunky]

The Sydney Showground/Royale (556 yds), Brisbane Ekka (465 yds), and Perth Claremont (640 yds), were all largely circular, but as you can see, none of the fit into the 1/5 or 1/6 mile category!

The Sydney Sportsground (418 yds) was closer to the size stated in the article, but it was a conventional oval shape with long straights.

Edited June 10, 2020 by chunky

[Guest]

47 minutes ago, chunky said:

The way the articles read usually, it appears that the journalist isn't totally familiar with the sport, and tends to rely on hearsay.

Most probably the journalist was not interested in speedway. To him it was just a job he was sent to cover. That's how the system works at  newspapers. Staff are sent to report on things they probably dislike but attend because they have been sent by their boss to cover something.

[salty]

Remember Martin Rogers writing that he knew nothing of the sport when, as a fledging reporter at Hayter's, he was sent to Plough Lane to cover the Dons v Swindon at the start of the 60's.

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, salty said:

Remember Martin Rogers writing that he knew nothing of the sport when, as a fledging reporter at Hayter's, he was sent to Plough Lane to cover the Dons v Swindon at the start of the 60's.

After his spell at Hayter's Martin Rogers joint the group that published Speedway Star, Soccer Star, World Soccer. I have an idea that in the early 1960s  he covered one of the world finals in Sweden - because the then Speedway Star editor was a averse to flying. Martin Rogers is respected as a top class journalist.

[salty]

Quite correct. His first trip abroad was to cover the World Final of 1961 in Sweden.

[PHILIPRISING]

2 minutes ago, salty said:

Quite correct. His first trip abroad was to cover the World Final of 1961 in Sweden.

 

8 minutes ago, gustix said:

After his spell at Hayter's Martin Rogers joint the group that published Speedway Star, Soccer Star, World Soccer. I have an idea that in the early 1960s  he covered one of the world finals in Sweden - because the then Speedway Star editor was a averse to flying. Martin Rogers is respected as a top class journalist.

IT was Jack Rollin, Assistant Editor (later Editor) of World Soccer who went to Malmo. Martin Rogers wasn't at SS at that time. In fact, seem to remember that he didn't join until Paul Parish was Editor.

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

 

IT was Jack Rollin, Assistant Editor (later Editor) of World Soccer who went to Malmo. Martin Rogers wasn't at SS at that time. In fact, seem to remember that he didn't join until Paul Parish was Editor.

Then my memories of the tape top football league - also involving John White - are wrong. And what about those football matches involving Radfield and St Margaret's that were arranged in the Echo Publication offices? Perhaps the passing of 60 years has dimmed my recollections of those days? Great and wonderful days in many ways.

[salty]

44 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

 

IT was Jack Rollin, Assistant Editor (later Editor) of World Soccer who went to Malmo. Martin Rogers wasn't at SS at that time. In fact, seem to remember that he didn't join until Paul Parish was Editor.

In his book "In My View" Martin talks about his trip to Malmo working for the Daily Express. He also mentions that another journalist from the paper had got there first and used his ticket, a situation thankfully resolved.