2000-Present |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
 |
29Z |
Teddy Taylor in Tulare, California, 2005 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Taylor, of Arbuckle, California, crashed during a round of the Eddie Mulder West Coast Vintage Flat Track Series at the Tulare Cycle Park, Taylor dismissed the severity of his injuries and passed away weeks later from his internal injuries. |
|
  Photos by Dave Hoenig / www.flattrakfotos.com |
|
Teddy was a rookie expert #29Z in 1986 and wore National #75 from 1988 through 1992, and again from 1994 through 1996. |
|
 |
64 |
Aaron Creamer in Sturgis, South Dakota, on August 11, 2004 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Creamer, 24, of Leominster, Massachussetts, crashed during an AMA Pro Racing Hot Shoe event on the half mile oval at the Sturgis Fairgrounds on August 11, 2004. He passed away the following morning at the local hospital.
From Aaron's dad, Steve Creamer: "Aaron was born in Leominster Ma. He attended his first race at the age of 4 and wanted to start
racing motorcycles that day. His mother and I held him off for another 2 years and he just wouldn't let go of it. He won various New England
Championships and New York Stated championships and quickly became a crowd favorite. His polite manners and charming smile attracted many to him.
If you talked to Aaron for a couple of minutes you had a friend for life. When he made (his first) Main at a National at New York (Vernon Downs),
he was the happiest person in the world. He got seriously injured out in California and was asked if he was going to quit and he said "Racing is my Life"
and he looked forward to each and every race be it a National or a local. His team motto was "Guts, Determination, and Never Give Up" Getting a front
row start at Springfield Illinois was another thrill, he was on the mile with all of his favorites. He never won a National, but would have if he just
had a little more time." |
|
   |
|
Aaron was a rookie expert #64U in 2001 and wore National #64 from 2002 until his death in 2004 |
|
 |
45 |
Jim Sumner in Springfield, Illinois on May 26, 2002 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Sumner, 32 of Grafton, Wisconsin, collided with another rider whose engine had lost power on the front straightaway
on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds during practice for an AMA Grand National Championship event. He crashed on the front straightaway and
passed away a short time later at the local hospital from severe head injuries.
From Bert Sumner: "Jim was drafting another rider out of turn four when the other bike suddenly lost power. Jim didn't have time to react. His front wheel hit the other bike's rear wheel, and that sent him into a tank-slapper. He bailed off the back when he realized he couldn't save it, and suffered the head injuries from that. He never had a chance to feel any pain, and we are grateful that no one else was injured. Our family takes great comfort knowing that he died doing what he loved doing, at the track he loved the best, surrounded by his racing family." |
|
   Photo by Dave Hoenig / www.flattrakfotos.com and Tim Handrich |
|
Jim was a rookie expert #84K in 1988 and wore National #45 from 1992 until his death in 2002 |
|
|
21 |
"Winkin" Will Davis in Sedalia, Missouri on August 25, 2001 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Davis, 36, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, was involved in a multi-rider crash in turn three on the opening lap of the main event on the half mile oval at State Fair Speedway during an AMA Grand National Championship event. He was pronounced dead at the scene. |
|
  Photo courtesy of www.vft.org |
|
Will was a rookie expert #17C in 1984 and wore National #21 from 1985 until his death in 2001. He won 31 GNC Nationals between 1989 and 2001, placing him sixth on the all-time GNC-Dirt Track win list, and also claimed two AMA 600cc Nationals. He finished in the top 10 of the GNC series twelve times, finishing second twice, in 1997 and 2000. |
|
Will was posthumously inducted into the AMA's Hall Of Fame in 2002. |
|
 |
68Z |
Rob Damron in Perris, California on June 30, 2001 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Damron, 36, of Morgan Hill, California, crashed during a round of Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series on the half mile oval at Perris Auto Raceway. |
|
  Photo courtesy of www.vft.org and Karen Gould |
|
Rob wore National #64 from 1989 through 1991, and National #68 in 1994. |
|
|
25Z |
Danny Hart in Bakersfield, California on April 21, 2001 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Hart, 25, of Salinas, California, crashed during a round of Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series. |
|
 Photo courtesy of www.vft.org |
|
|
23K |
Dusty Faulds in Des Moines, Iowa in June 2000 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Faulds, 21, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, low-sided while competing in an AMA event on the half mile oval at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and was struck by another rider. |
|
| Back To Top |
1990-1999 |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
|
80Y |
Toby Jorgensen in Dallas, Texas on September 11, 1999 |
|
|
Rookie Expert Jorgensen, 17, of Stockton, California crashed through the inside turn two guardrail during the AMA Grand National Championship main event on the mile oval at Lone Star Park. He passed away from his injuries on October 1, 1999. |
|
  Photo courtesy of www.vft.org and Stewart Barber Sr. |
|
|
27 |
Davey "The Rock Island Rocket" Camlin in DuQuoin, Illinois, on July 24, 1999 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Camlin, 29, of Rock Island, Illinois, was involved in a multi-rider pileup during a semi qualifier of an AMA Grand National Championship event on the mile oval at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. The lead motorcycle blew an engine entering turn 1, forcing the pack of riders in his draft to take evasive action at 140mph. The resulting pile-up resulted in severe injuries to several riders; Camlin was pronounced dead at the scene from severe head trauma. |
|
  Photo by Dave Hoenig / www.flattrakfotos.com |
|
Davey was rookie expert #41P in 1989 and wore National #27 from 1990 until his death in 1999. He won four GNC-Dirt Track Nationals in 1994-1996, and finished in the Top Ten in GNC standings four times, including a sixth place sinish in 1997, and won the National 883 Dirt Track title in 1997. |
|
|
91 |
Andy Tresser in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 5, 1997 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Tresser, 32, of Redwood City, California, crashed in turn three on the half mile oval at Black Hills Speedway during an AMA Grand National Championship event on August 5, 1997. He passed away two days later at the local hospital. |
|
   Photo by Dan Mahony |
|
Andy was rookie expert #10Y in 1990 and wore National #91 from 1991 until his death in 1997. He won one AMA-GNC National and three AMA 600cc Nationals in 1993-1996. |
|
|
92 |
"Hot" Rod Farris in DuQuoin, Illinois on July 2, 1995 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Farris, 32, of Cockeysville Maryland, crashed in turn 3 during the main event of an AMA Grand National Championship event on the
mile oval at the DuQuoin State Faigrounds. Farris was pronounced dead upon arrival at the local hospital, repotedly from a brain stem injury or perhaps a basal
skull fracture.
From Bert Sumner: "I remember it was a typical mile National with all 18 riders going through turns 3-4 at one time, although there was some breathing
room between groups. I heard a collective 'gasp' from the group near me in the pits, and saw Rodney's bike tumbling. It looked like a simple low-side crash to me.
No one else went down, although Jim (Sumner, #45) went high to avoid Rodney and ended up low-siding into the haybales in turn four. We were too busy during the red
flag replacing the damage on our bike to really pay attention to what was happening with Rodney, but even before the restart we were hearing news that it wasn't good.
His pit area was very emotional afterwards. I remember rumors started that Joe Kopp (#43) had ridden over Rodney's helmet and a lot of people were blaming Joe for
Rodney's death. Larry Pegram (#72) wrote a letter to Cycle News to say that he was right behind Joe when the crash happened, and Joe rode over Rodney's legs, not his
head. Larry went on to say that he didn't know Joe personally, but he seemed like a nice guy, and it's not right to lay the burden of Rodney's death on Joe, who had
done nothing wrong. I still think that was a pretty neat thing for Larry to do, to stand up for Joe like that.". |
   Photo by Dan Mahony |
|
Rodney was rookie expert #9S in 1981 and wore National #92 from 1982 until his death in 1995. He finished in the Top Ten in GNC points six times in his career, including a pair of fifth place finishes in 1993 & 1994. |
|
 |
78X |
Rodney Mashue in Greenville, Ohio in 1992 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Mashue, of Midland, Michigan, crashed during the Junior Main of an AMA Pro Racing Regional event on the half mile oval at the Darke County Fairgrounds. While battling for the lead, Mashue low-sided in turn one and was struck by a trailing rider and passed away that evening at the local hospital. |
|
|
27P |
Joey Phelps in Springfield, Illinois on August 31, 1991 |
|
|
Pro-Am-ranked Phelps of Corunna, Michigan, died after crashing in turn four of a Pro-Am heat race during an AMA Regional Event on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
From John Lambrick: "Joe was killed in turn four during my heat race. I didn't witness the crash, but I heard he clipped his front tire on the rear wheel of another bike. It stood him up and he went straight into the wall on the outside of turn four. When I came by seconds later, it looked really bad. I heard on the TV News that night that he didn't make it. Godspeed to him"
From Dave Kirby: Our heat race was up next, and it happened right in front of us. I think Joe caught the rear wheel of the fellow in front if him and he highsided. It was a very violent crash; they took the bike off the track in pieces.
From Dave Valiket: "He was my hero. My dad bought his BSA B50 (Joey raced that before he got his Rotax) so I could start racing and my first leathers (ex-Scott Parker) were Joey's old ones. Joey would give me advice sometimes, a great guy. I remember he used to show up at I-96 Speedway after practice ended with a girl on each arm and they would allow him a lap of practice right before his heat and he'd go right out and win. He and his dad were really good people, part of why I liked flat track in the beginning, when you realize its like a big family |
|
|
8 |
Steve Eklund in Albequerque, New Mexico on June 17, 1990 |
|
|
Former AMA Grand National Champion Eklund, 34, of San Jose, California, crashed into turn four fence post after colliding with a lapped rider while leading the AMA Grand National Championship main event on the mile oval at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. He suffered severe head injuries, and remained in a coma until his passing on Sepetmber 26, 1991 at the age of 36.
From Bert Sumner: "What I remember seeing the video was that the track was extremely rough and torn up. Eklund had the lead from the start, but Chris Carr had picked up the pace and had closed the gap. The two entered turn 3 with Eklund up high and Carr hugging the pole, with a rider about to be lapped right in front of them. As they came out of turn four, Carr went low under the lapped rider, while Eklund went high. It looked like Carr caught the lapped rider by surprise, as he moved up the racetrack to give Carr more room, and moved right into Eklund, who crashed. Steve fell off the bike, a slid towards the large wooden fence-posts that lined the track. The impact, at that speed, is burned in my memory forever." |
|
   Photos by Dan Mahony & Santa Fe Speedway |
|
Steve was rookie expert #74Z in 1976, wore National #11 from 1977 until 1979, wore #1 in 1980, and wore #8 from 1981 until his accident in 1990. He won 17 GNC-Dirt Track Nationals in 1976-1987, placing him 17th on the all-time win list. He finished in the Top Ten eight times, including the 1979 Grand National Championship. |
|
Steve was posthumously inducted into the AMA's Hall Of Fame in 1998. |
|
| Back To Top |
1980-1989 |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
|
6Z |
Joel Green in Springfield, Illinois on August 28, 1988 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Green, 20, of Salinas, California, perished during an AMA 600cc National after crashing exiting turn four on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and being struck by another rider. He was pronounced dead at the scene. |
|
|
96W |
Darell Davis in Hamburg, New York on August 20, 1988 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Davis, 16, of Bremerton, Washington, died in a crash during an AMA Junior National on the half mile oval at the Erie County Fairgrounds.
According to the New York Times August 23, 1988 article:
A motorcycle racer was killed and two others were injured in an eight-lap race before a crowd of 6,000 at the Erie County Fair, officials said. Darrell J. Davis, 16, of Bremerton, Wash., was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo after four motorcycles collided Friday, Lieut. Carmen Kesner of the Hamburg Police Department said. Reported in fair condition at Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Lackawanna were Steve Aseltine, 17, of British Columbia, Canada, and Ronald Beauvais, 35, of Quebec. Lieutenant Kesner said the fourth racer, who was not identified, escaped injury. The motorcyclists were competing in a qualifying heat for a 20-lap feature junior race sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association, said Paul Lang, secretary-manager of the fair. The four motorcycles were emerging from one turn and heading into another when they crashed. ''To my knowledge, the Davis bike went down, and the other two bikes went over him,'' Mr. Lang said. Mr. Lang said he was told that Darrell had been racing motorcycles since he was 8 years old and was considered to have great promise as a racer. The youth's father was in the pits when the pileup occurred, Mr. Lang said." |
|
  Photo courtesy of Dave Hoenig www.flattrakfotos.com |
|
|
12 |
Ted "Too Tall" Boody in Gardena, California on May 7, 1988 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Boody, 29, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, crashed into the turn 4 wall on the last lap of the AMA Grand National Championship main event on the half mile oval at Ascot Park. He passed away the following morning at the local hospital. |
|
  Photo courtesy of www.vft.org |
|
Ted was rookie expert #84X in 1976 and wore National #12 from 1977 until his death in 1988. He won eight GNC-Dirt Track Nationals from 1976-1985, and finished in the Top Ten in point standings eight times, including a pair of runner-up finishes in 1977 and 1985. |
|
Ted was posthumously inducted into the AMA's Hall Of Fame in 2000. |
|
|
17W |
Gary "Cookie Man" Wielt in Springfield, Illinois on September 5, 1987 |
|
|
Pro-Am-ranked Wielt, 26, of Mount Venon, Illinois, died during an AMA Regional Event on the short track at Shaheen Speedway after crashing and being struck by anotehr rider.
From Bob Brooks (#57P): "Gary rode a stock-framed Can-Am Sonic 500 with the Rotax engine…and had raced amateur dirt track for a long time, and that year in ’87, he decided to get his pro license. Cookie Man was a decent rider, not super fast or a world beater, but decent and competent on a short track and half-mile. He made the main event that night and his crash happened during the main. The main was a ferocious two-man battle for the lead. About two laps from the end, Cookie Man crashed going into turn three. It was a simple low-slide, no big deal. But the leaders were fighting tooth and nail for the lead and they were coming on Cookie Man just as he slid down. One missed him, but the other ran right over his neck and head. Cookie Man died right in front of us on the back straight heading into turn three. It was a BAD DEAL…real BAD. It wasn’t a good night to be a flattracker." |
|
|
16P |
Randy Turbett in Springfield, Illinois on May 26, 1985 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Turbett, 16, of East Peoria, Illinois, perished after crashing in turn two during an AMA Junior National on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. He died a few days later from his injuries.
From Chad Turbett: "As an amateur, Randy had battled year in and year out (at the Amateur Nationals) with Brian Atherton (1985 Junior National Champion) and Rusty Rogers (a GNC-event winner).
Over the years Randy came out with 6 National Titles. He turned pro on August 9, 1984. He raced as much as he could (in 1984) and in Daytona in 1985 he scored enough points to turn Junior.
So he got all his points by racing in August, September, and March. He turned Junior and won his first race in a photo finish at the Henry (Illinois) half mile.
A few weeks later at the age of 16 he lost his life in turn two at the Springfield Mile. Randy was attending his first Junior National. He had fast time and had the pole in the first heat.
He jumped the start and was sent to the penalty line. Coming through the pack there was a pile-up coming out of turn two.
He almost missed the crash, as he went to the inside of the groove, but a bike bounced off the outside wall, caught Randy's rear wheel, and sent him into the inside guardrail. He died a few days later."
From Brian Melton: "I grew up racing the tracks of Central Illinois with Randy Turbett. He was so incredible to see on a race track even when he was running 80s and winning national championships.
He and I raced with current expert Scott Huff, his brother Audie, and Greg Sauder in the late 70s. Even at the age of 10, Rocket Randy was so smooth through the corners and fearless in his approach to racing.
His death hit our family pretty hard. My dad (Clarence "Cosmo" Melton) was the president of the Pekin Motorcycle club for many years and watched Randy grow up as a racer and young man up until his very untimely death.
The track was never the same knowing Randy wouldn't be there anymore."
|
|
 |
|
Photo by Dave Hoenig / www.flattrakfotos.com |
|
 |
8X |
Rick Levitte in Caro, Michigan, in 1984 or 1985 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Levitte, of Michigan, crashed coming out of turn two during an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at the Caro Fairgrounds. |
|
|
69P |
Alan Reed in Peoria, Illinois, on June 12, 1983 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Reed suffered fatal injuries in a time trials crash during the TT event at the Peoria Clubgrounds. |
|
|
69F |
Ted Guarasci in Lima, Ohio, on July 17, 1982 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Guarasci perished on the half mile oval at the Allen County Fairgrounds during an AMA Pro Racing event in 1982. He was running low on the groove, low-sided his XR750 at the apex of turns three/four and was struck by a trailing rider. |
|
|
|
|
46 |
Willie Crabbe in San Jose, California on May 11, 1982 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Crabbe, 23, of Edgewood, Maryland, tangled with another rider and crashed in turn one on the opening lap of the fourth heat race for an AMA Grand National Championship event on the mile oval at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. |
|
  Photos by John Bowman |
|
Willie wore National #46 from 1978 until his death in 1982. |
|
|
97Y |
Geoff Lowe in Faribault, Minnesota on July 29, 1981 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Lowe, of Salinas, California, high-sided while leading a a race on the half mile oval at the Rice County Fairgrounds.
|
|
  Photos courtesy of Willy Gong |
|
From Larry Pettis #18K: "Jeff had just bought the XR750 he was riding from Keith Ulicki (National #73). There were several bikes involved.
Lowe was leading and high-sided in front of everyone and it was so dusty that no one is sure what happened. I broke my leg but didn't take a spill."
From Willy Gong: "Attached are some photos of Geoff. I believe his pro number in 1981 was 97Y, but in District 36, his number was 13P" |
|
|
128H |
Mike Schmidt in Bellefountaine, Ohio on July 13, 1980 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Schmidt, of Union CIty, Indiana, crashed during an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at the Logan County Fairgrounds. |
|
|
14P |
Steve Dallefeld in Harrington, Delaware on June 7, 1980 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Dallefeld, 20, of Canton, Illinois, crashed in turn three during practice for an AMA Grand National Championship event on the half mile oval at the Delaware State Fairgrounds and was struck by another rider. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Steve's late father, George, is quoted from a newspaper article as saying, "He was killed instantly. The impact broke his ribs, which collapsed his lungs and broke his neck. He was never in any pain...I was right there on the track as soon as it happened. A couple of physicians...worked on him for about 12 minutes, but they couldn't do anything." |
|
    |
|
Photo courtesy of Suzanne Dallefeld & Jim Ernest |
|
|
74G |
David Jones in Louisville, Kentucky on May 31, 1980 |
|
|
Rookie Expert Jones, 18, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, perished after colliding with a spectator on the front straightaway a heat race of an AMA Grand National Championship event on the half mile oval at Louisville Downs. |
|
 |
|
| Back To Top |
1970-1979 |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
|
99P |
Stevie Foster in Hinsdale, Illinois on August 9, 1978 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Foster, 19, of Wayne, Illinois, crashed during an AMA Pro race on the Santa Fe Speedway short track.
From the 1979 Santa Fe Speedway souvenir program: Foster started his racing career on a 125cc Suzuki and soon worked his way up to a 750cc twin-cylinder before gaining his "junior" level of professional classification. Many of Steve's friends agree that the humble young man could have gone a long way professionally in motorcycle racing if he had the right equipment and sponsorship. Steve was a 1977 graduate of Wayne Memorial High Schol when his fatal accident occured on August 9 on the Santa Fe quarter-mile. Steve suffered head injuries when he was thrown off his cycle and a rider, in a quick chain reaction, hit the fallen bike and then struck Steve. Steve will be sorely missed by his fellow riders, fans, and friends and many of us at Santa Fe." |
|
  |
|
|
|
|
23P |
Mike Escue in DuQuoin, Illinois on July 30, 1978 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Escue, 21, of Joliet, Illinois, crashed in turn four during a semi qualifying event of an AMA Grand National Championship event on the mile oval at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.
From the 1979 Santa Fe Speedway program: Mike started racing when he was only 15. He raced primarily the midwestern area because of school. He admired the teachers in his shop classes and wanted to become one of them. IN May, 1978, he graduated from Northern Illinois University and would have done industrial technology student teaching in Joliet. For Mike, he wanted to pursue a love of fast wheels and hoped to follow the pro circuit a few years before settling down in his teching profession. But on Sunday afternoon, July 30, the last turn of the DuQuoin Mile took his life when he lost control of his bike and was struck by a following rider. "Mike wouldn't ever have been happy if he didn't do it", said Mike's mother after the ceremonies. "He did what he wanted to do." |
|
    |
|
|
|
|
96P |
Larry Wayne Ross in Springfield, Ohio on April 9, 1978 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Ross, of Rock Falls, Illinois, crashed into a utility pole after swerving high in turn two to avoid fallen riders on the half mile oval at the Clark County Fairgrounds. He is survived by his parents, Paul and Jo, and his brother, Steve. |
|
|
124F |
Russ Kerr in Ashland, Ohio on September 19, 1977 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Kerr, of Polk, Ohio, crashed during an AMA Pro Racing event on the half mile oval at the Ashland County Fairgrounds and was struck from behind by another rider.From Rich Long: "The summer that Russ was killed, he was involved in a farm accident at his house. A tractor rolled over on him and broke I believe his leg. He came back sooner than he probably should have because his dad helped promote a pro half mile at his home track in Ashland. Russ's leg obviously wasn't healed yet but you know how dirt trackers are (saw the casts off, etc) and since it was his home track in front of all his friends he gave it a go anyway as most of us diehard dirttrackers would. He was picking up his foot sooner than he should of in an effort to keep the pressure off his healing leg when he lost it on a basic harmless lowside, unfortunately the guy behind Russ couldn't avoid him and hit him from behind." |
|
|
67 |
Jay "Underdog" Ridgeway in DuQuoin, Illinois on July 31, 1977 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Ridgeway, of Decatur, Georgia, died during an AMA Grand National Championship event on the mile oval at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.
From Greg Pearson: "My Dad, Robert Pearson, took the left photo right after Jay won the Labor day race at Zanesville, Ohio, September 1976. Riding the Kennedy Triumph, he outran all the Ohio 'shoes; Steve Morehead, Scott Drake, Jimmy Zeigler, Ricky Campbell. Note the "Underdog" cape. The next photo is Jay and I after the races. The next is me, a star-struck 10-year-old kid in Jay's awesome Underdog leathers. I can't remember if I asked to wear them, or if Jay just kinda offered. The last photo is Jay getting ready for the Springfield Ohio season-opener in 1977." |
|
    |
|
Jay was rookie #9C in 1975 and wore National #67 from 1976 until his death in 1977. |
|
|
12F |
Steve "Pee Wee" Anthony in Wabash, Indiana on July 6, 1976 |
|
|
Rookie Expert Anthony, of Greenville, Ohio, crashed during an AMA Pro event on the TT course at the Wabash Cannonball Clubgrounds. |
|
|
82P |
Mike Mathews at Henry, Illinois on May 23, 1976 |
|
|
Rookie Expert Mathews, 20, of Peoria, Illinois, crashed in turn two at the start of the Expert main event of an AMA Pro event on the half mile at the Marshall-Putnam County Fairgrounds. He was stuck in the neck by the handlebar of his own motorcycle and died at the scene. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
33H |
Dennis Hardesty in Dowagiac, Michigan on August 9, 1975 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Hardesty, 20, of Lima, Ohio, crashed into a tree while competing in an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at the Cass County Fairgrounds. |
|
|
99F |
Chuck Jordan in Greenville, Ohio on May 25, 1975 |
|
|
Rookie Expert Jordan, 20, of Powell, Ohio, crashed into the turn 4 wall during the first Expert heat of the AMA Pro event at the Darke County Fairgrounds. |
|
|
44 |
Dewayne Keeter in Gardena, California on May 1, 1975 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Keeter, 29 of Arcadia, California, died during an AMA Pro event on the half mile at Ascot Park after crashing into another rider who had low-sided coming out of turn four. He was taken to Gardena Hospital, then Harbor General Hospital in Torrance, California, where he died the following day.
From Devon Sowell, #59R: "DeWayne Keeter was a brillant rider at Ascot. He won many main events there riding GoldStars, H-Ds and Yamahas. He was quite and soft spoken, but fierce on the track. He was famous for his brutal roosting, he would get on the gas very early, you'd be sprayed by his roost, you could almost see him laughing inside his helmet as he turned around to look at you. DeWayne was killed when another rider low-sided coming out of turn 4 at Ascot. DeWayne had nowhere to go and no time, and hit the downed bike wide open. It was just an unfortunate accident." |
|
 Photo courtesy of Devon Sowell |
|
Dewayne wore National #44 from 1972 until his death in 1975 |
|
|
126Z |
Elbert Turner in Gardena, California in August, 1974 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Turner was killed while competing at an AMA Pro Racing event on the half mile oval at Ascot Park.
From Art Carter, #54R: "Elbert was a lightning-fast Novice twin (cylinder) rider at Ascot.
From Vince Mead #94: "Elbert was killed in late August.
"Junior", as I called him, was a good friend of mine.
We lived only a few miles apart here in Orange County, California, and were competitors on the track.
Coming off the 4th turn, Junior got into a tank-slapper that threw him off and he became pinned between the bike and the wall. He was killed instantly (basal skull fracture)" |
|
|
87C |
Jerry Cox in Wilson, North Carolina in October, 1973 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Cox was killed in a semi event in an AMA Pro Racing event on the half mile track.
From Wild Will Kelley, #6N: "As we Juniors were lining up in the staging area getting ready for the next race, suddenly a Novice rider slides down going into the number one turn, followed
by another and another, sort of a domino effect. The first one looked like the front wheel just washed out and the others followed suit."
From Poochie Cox: "That was my brother, Jerry. He was an excellent short tracker on his Ossa, hardly ever racing more than a couple hours from his home. He just washed out going into turn one..." |
|
|
|
|
|
22U |
Mike Bird at Frederick, Maryland on August 5, 1973 |
|
|
Rookie Expert Bird, 20, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, crashed while competing at the AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at the Frederick Fairgrounds. |
|
|
79 |
Lloyd Houchins in San Jose, California on May 20, 1973 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Houchins, 25, of La Crescenta, California, died after finishing fifth in the second heat race at an AMA Grand National Championship event on the half mile oval at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.
From Mike Law: "Lloyd and another rider tangled on the front stretch. The crash nearly severed his leg...he was gone before they got him in the ambulance."
From Motor Cycle Weekly, dated June 18, 1973, courtesy of Bob Herrick: "Lloyd Houchins, one of the West Coast's top dirt-track racers died here this afternoon after tangling with another rider seconds after taking the checkered flag for fifth place in his heat race for the AMA National Championship half mile. Houchins collided with first year Expert rider, Pat McCaul and both crashed just after taking the checkered flag. McCaul escaped with a shaking but Houchins collided with a fence post and suffered massive interenal injuries. He was rushed to the hospital but was found to be dead on arrival. Married, with one young son, Lloyd was 25 years old and one of California's top halk-mile racers. He began his career in 1967 as an AMA Novice professional and the following year won the Pacific Coast Junior Championship on the Ascot Park half-mile. Half-mile racing was his specialty, particularly at Ascot Park, and during his last three Expert years, 1970/1971/1972 was always in the top ten riders of the Ascot season points championship. With Houchins death, California dirt-track racing has lost one of it's toughest and most able competitors
From Cycle News West, May 29, 1973, courtesy of Bob Herrick: "The second heat produced both excitement and tragedy. The race proved to be the fastest of the four heats won by another factory Yamaha, piloted by Don Castro. The second man across the finish line was second year Expert Gary Scott. Third was captured by the factory Harley of rookie Scott Brelsford, followed by Chuck Palmgren. Fifth and sixth places were hotly contested right to the finish, which turned to tragedy just beyond the line. Lloyd Houchins crossed the line first with Pat McCaul right at his handlebars with both riders going down about 20 feet beyond the finish line. McCaul was able to get up but Houchins was killed by the force of the crash. |
|
Lloyd wore National #29 in 1971 and National #79 in 1972 & 1973. |
|
|
56Z |
Ivan Shigemasa in Gardena, California on May 4, 1973 |
|
|
Junior-ranked Shigemasa, 24, of Salinas, California, crashed while challenging for the leado during the fourth Junior heat race during an AMA Pro Racing event on the half mile at Ascot Park.
From Motorcycle Weekly, dated June 4, 1973, courtesy of Bob Herrick:
"Ivan Shigemasa one of the better West Coast Junior dirt-trackers was killed in a third-turn crash during the third Junior Heat Race.
Ivan was in an exceptionally tight race for the lead at the time with Mike Clarke and Danny Hockie. The three were nearly side-by-side at the end of the third lap and it was Hockie who was making the most effort after missing a shift off the line. As they headed into turn three of the fourth lap, Danny pulled to the inside and Ivan tried the outside but lost traction and went into a horrendous slide and hit the crashwall. The 24 year old Triumph rider was from Salinas, CA."
From Cycle News West, dated May 15, 1973: "Gloom fell on the Junior class in one of the Heat races. Hockie caught and passed heat leader, Ivan Shigemasa for the lead. Shigemasa, the second year Junior from Salinas then tried to re-passon the outside going into the North turn on the 4th lap. He got in too hot and fast and straightened up and went into the wall at full throttle. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Gardena Hospital. It was the same turn where he crashed last season and broke a leg." |
|
|
32W |
Alfred "Tony" Perella Jr. in Tacoma, Washington in 1972 |
|
|
Tony crashed on the TT course at Graham Speedway during an AMA Pro Racing event. |
|
From Darrel Bauer: "Tony and I rode the woods together, hung around the bike shops, and raced together, along with Don Lipp and Fred Siegel, who also passed away in motorcycle accidents in 1971-1972.
We lost three very talented racers and, more importantly, three fine young men in two years. I still miss them,
but sometimes we have to remember the worst times to really appreciate what were the best of times." |
|
|
41W |
Fred Siegel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 29, 1972 |
|
|
Fred crashed on the half mile ovel at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds during the fair in 1972. |
|
From Darrel Bauer: "Fred and I rode the woods together, hung around the bike shops, and raced together, along with Don Lipp and Tony Perella, who also passed away in motorcycle accidents in 1971-1972.
We lost three very talented racers and, more importantly, three fine young men in two years. I still miss them,
but sometimes we have to remember the worst times to really appreciate what were the best of times." |
|
|
30C |
Ron Atkins in Frederick, Maryland on July 4, 1972 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Atkins crashed during an AMA Pro race on the half mile oval at the Frederick County Fairgrounds. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
58X |
Loyal Penn in Corona, California on July 31, 1971 |
|
|
Amateur (later designated "Junior")-ranked Penn, of Redondo Beach, California, perished while competing in the Amateur National held in conjunction with the AMA Grand National event on the half mile oval. |
|
|
47J |
Pat Gosch in Gardena, California on April 30, 1971 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Gosch, 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, crashed on the half mile at Ascot Park. He remained in a coma until May 11, 1971, when he passed away. |
|
Photo provided by Randy Ressell.
|
|
|
Pat wore National #47 from 1967 through 1970. |
|
|
69P |
Clarence "Horsepower" Felton in Freeport, Illinois in September, 1971. |
|
|
Expert-ranked Felton, of Beloit, Wisconsin, perished from injuries sustained in a crash during an AMA Pro Racing event on the half mile dirt track.
From Matt McNall: "Clarence was toward the front of the pack, fell down, and was struck by several of the following riders. Clarance was a very friendly and low-key character off the track. I asked him once how he got the nickname "Horsepower", and he said it was because he needed lots of it to go fast. Cal Janisch (#34) knew Horsepower better than anyone, and he was able to fill in most of the pieces of the story." |
|
|
|
|
44N |
Bentley Hardwick in Houston, Texas in February 1971 |
|
|
Amateur (later designated "Junior")-ranked Hardwick crashed during an AMA Pro event at Almeda Speedway. |
|
|
64N |
Rusty Bradley in Daytona Beach, Florida on Sonoma, California on March 14, 1971 |
|
|
Rookie Expert Bradley, 21, crashed on the second lap of the Daytona 200 as the field entered the infield for the first time. It was Rusty's first race as an Expert. |
|
|
|
|
For a very interesting article on Rusty Bradley, from Superbike Planet, click here. |
|
|
14N |
Ken Pressgrove in Louisville, Kentucky on September 12, 1970 |
|
|
Expert Pressgrove, 23, of Topeka, Kansas, perished in a crash at the start of an AMA Race Of Champions event on the half mile oval at Lousiville Downs. Reportedly he lost control exiting turn two on the opening lap and was run over by several other riders. |
|
| Back To Top |
1960-1969 |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
|
??? |
Lee Patterson in Sonoma, California on September 7, 1969 |
|
|
Amateur (later-Junior)-ranked Patterson, of Fresno, Ca;ifornia, was killed in practice for the AMA Grand National event on the road course at Sears Point Raceway event after running through debris on the racetrack. |
|
|
|
|
11R |
Ron Ermels in Stockton, Kansas on August 14, 1969 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Ermals, of Omaha, Nebraska, crashed while competing at an AMA Pro event on the half mile at the Rook County Fairgrounds.
From Jim Henry #90N: "Ron was a friend of mine. He had hurt himself a few weeks before and hadn't been riding, but after Sturgis he and the guy riding one of his bikes had a disagreement so Ron decided to ride the bike that day. His throttle stuck wide open at the end of the front straight, causing him to crash into the 15-foot drop-off that lined the rack. Landing on one of the barbed-wire fence posts that lined the bottom of the drop-off, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the local hospital." |
|
|
64F |
Charles Southard in Troy, Ohio, August 14, 1969 |
|
|
Amateur (later designated "Junior")-ranked Southard, of Springfield, Ohio, died competing in an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at the Miami County Fairgrounds. |
|
|
27B |
Marshall Becker in Gardena, California on July 25, 1969 |
|
|
Amateur (later designated "Junior")-ranked Becker, of Wanamassa, New Jersey, crashed during an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at Ascot Park, and died from his injuries on August 2, 1969. |
|
|
43X |
Bill Ershig in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin on July 4, 1967 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Ershig, of Burbank, California, was killed on the half mile oval at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.
From John Tibben #60: "I won that race and as I was coming around I saw Bill's fatal accident. |
|
|
61F |
Bill Corbin in Springfield, Illinois on August 21, 1966 |
|
|
Amateur (later designated "Junior")-ranked Corbin, 26, of Marion, Ohio, perished while competing in the first heat for the Five Mile Amateur race held in conjunction with the AMA Grand National event on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The crash also involved Joe Schmidt, Jack McNairy, Tim Harris, and Rick Vetter, who later died as well. |
|
|
44Y |
Rick Vetter in Springfield, Illinois on August 21, 1966 |
|
|
Amateur (later designated "Junior")-ranked Vetter, of San Francisco, California, succumbed to injuries suffered in the first heat for the Five Mile Amateur race held in conjunction with the AMA Grand National event on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The crash also involved Joe Schmidt, Jack McNairy, Tim Harris, and Bill Corbin, who died at the scene. |
|
|
5 |
Bates Molyneaux in Troy, Ohio in 1966 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Molyneaux, of Michigan, crashed in turn 1 at the during an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at the Miami County Fairgrounds. |
|
Bates wore National #15 in 1959 & 1960, and National #5 from 1961 through 1964. |
|
|
??? |
Clemmie "Stonewall" Jackson in Gardena, California on September 10, 1965 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Jackson, 22, was involved in a five-bike pile-up on lap two of the Novice Main event at an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at Ascot Park. Jackson went down and was struck by two other bikes. Up to that point he had 8 wins on the season and was second in Novice points. He passed away the following day, September 11, at Gardena Hospital. |
|
|
??? |
Charles Matheny in Wentzville, Missouri, on July 4, 1965 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Matheny, of Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, was fatally injured when he ran off the road course at Nelson Ledges Raceway and struck a tree. |
|
|
82B |
Willie Moye in Heidelberg, Pennsylvania, on June 13, 1965 |
|
|
Amateur (later-Junior)-ranked Moye, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was killed in his heat race after he fell and was struck by another rider on the half mile oval. Moye was one of the few African-Americans to ever contest in flat track racing. |
|
|
|
|
??? |
Karl Kirschenman in Gardena, California on May 7, 1965 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Kirschenman, 20, died during a Novice heat race at an AMA Pro event on the half mile oval at Ascot Park. |
|
|
50K |
Tommy Peiffer at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1965 |
|
|
Peiffer, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was killed while competing in an AMA Pro Racing event at the Door County Fairgrounds.
From Matt McNall: "Tommy was a second-year Amateur, riding a BSA Gold Star. My brother Mike (#50G) saw the whole thing. Tommy missed turn one and went into a boulder-strewn ravine. There wasn't but a few feet from the edge of the track to the ravine, and it looked as if Tommy's throttle stuck wide open, and those were the brakeless days. Tom was a nice, friendly, cheerful fellow and was pretty good racing buddies with both Mike and I. I think the county board stopped having motorcycle races at the fair grounds because of Tommy's accident, and they didn't run them again until '68 or '69. By that time the ditch had been filled in." |
|
|
57X |
Bob Skibsted in Gardena, California on September 11, 1964 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Skidsted, 35, of Riverside, California, crashed while competing in the Expert main event on the half mile oval at Ascot Park. On the fifth lap, Skibsted swirved wildly while attempting to avoid three downed riders, causing him to be struck by another rider. He was pronounced dead at Gardena Hospital.
|
|
|
51M |
Bennie Sims, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Tulara, California in September, 1963 |
|
|
Second-year Expert Bennie Sims was killed while competing in an AMA Pro Racing event on the half mile oval in Tulare, California.
From David Edwards: "Bennie built, tuned, and rode a Matchless G80. He raced in a Cycle World silk bib as his wife, Carol, was managing editor at the magazine. Apparently, Bennie helped out with performance/track testing. Rumor has it that when he was interred at Roosevelt Memorial park (across the street from Ascot Park), he was in his racing leathers and wearing the Cycle World bib." |
|
|
??? |
Elton Swope in Freeport, Illinois in September, 1963. |
|
|
Novice-ranked Swope, of Kewanee, Illinois, perished from injuries sustained in a crash during an AMA Pro Racing event on the half mile dirt track.
From Matt McNall: "Elton was trying for the lead when he fell and was struck by some of the following riders. Elton was the only one seiorusly hurt in the incident, as everyone else got up and several made the restart. This was the same day that Dick Mann had his bad accident. If you read Joe Scalzo's book "Motorcycle Ace - The Dick Mann Story" or Ed Youngblood's book, "Mann Of His Time", both mention a young Novice dying in the emergency room right next to Dick Mann. Neither author mentioned Elton's name, and I don't think any of us actually knew it, until now. Godspeed, Elton Swope |
|
|
|
|
67 |
Jack Gholson in Lincoln, Illinois on September 16, 1962 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Gholson, of Houston, Texas, perished in a crash during practice for an AMA Grand National Championship event on the half mile oval at the Logan County Fairgrounds. The crash also seriously injured Dick Klamfoth and Carroll Resweber. |
|
Gholson wore National #67 from 1958 until his death in 1962 |
|
|
62T |
Robert Webster in Watkins Glen, New York on August 12, 1962 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Webster, of Toronto, Ontario, perished in a crash during the AMA Grand National Championship event on the road course that also involved Rolland Hedgecock and Bates Molyneaux. |
|
|
|
|
??? |
Thomas Campbell in Gardena, California on September 1, 1961 |
|
|
Novice-ranked Campbell, 23, of Eagle Mountain California, crashed while competing for the first time on the half mile oval at Ascot Park. He passed away the following day, September 2, at Gardena Hospital. |
|
|
??? |
Ron Boyarsky in Springfield, Illinois on August 20, 1961 |
|
|
Amateur (later-Junior)-ranked Boyarsky was killed during the Amateur Main Event on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds when he crashed while leading. The ensuing pile-up included Jody Nicholas, Harold Hammond, Bill Sims, and Ronnie Rall. |
|
|
|
|
95D |
Tommy Segraves in Watkins Glen, New York, on August 14, 1960 |
|
|
Amateur (later-Junior)-ranked Segraves, 20, of Orlando, Florida was killed in practice for the AMA Grand National event on the road course at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Segraves was one of the top Amateur division racers in the country, and had scored National wins earlier in the year at Daytona Beach, Florida and Schererville, Indiana. |
|
|
|
|
??? |
Bob Fritz in Hinsdale, Illinois in 1961 or 1962 |
|
|
Fritz, of Southeast Chicago, Illinois or Hammond, Indiana, was killed during an AMA Pro Racing event at Santa Fe Speedway. |
|
|
46X |
Travis Petton in Gardena, California during the 1960's |
|
|
Expert-ranked Petton, or Poway, California, died from injuries sustained in a crash on the half mile oval at Ascot Park during an AMA Pro racing event.
From Wayne Hosaka, #55x: "Travis was a top San Diego county racer who did very well at Ascot on the TT track." |
|
 Photo courtesy of Wayne Hosaka |
|
|
94R |
Clyde Litch in Gardena, California during the 1960's |
|
|
Amateur (later Junior)-ranked Litch, of Covina, California, died from injuries sustained in a crash on the half mile oval at Ascot Park during an AMA Pro Racing event.
From Wayne Hosaka: "Clyde was from the Los Angeles area and was a half-mile specialist." |
|
|
94L |
Babe Robertson during the 1960's |
|
|
Robertson, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was involved in the 1962 crash that killed Jack Gholson and ended Carroll Resweber's career. Reportedly Robertson died a few years later in another racing crash. |
|
|
??? |
Joe Ballantine during the 1960's |
|
|
Novice-ranked Ballantine perished in a racing crash.
From Al Haggard: "Joe was a super-fast Novice from Missouri, I believe." |
|
| Back To Top |
1950-1959 |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
|
84 |
George Everett in Gardena, California on June 19, 1959 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Everett, 28, was involved in a multi-bike crash during an AMA Pro racing event on the half mile at Ascot Park. He died three days later, on June 22, 1959. |
|
  |
|
George was rookie expert #84X in 1956 and wore National #84 from 1957 until his death in 1959. He won the Peoria TT twice - 1957 & 1958 - and finished in the top 10 of the GNC series both years, including a fifth place finish in 1956. |
|
George was posthumously inducted into the AMA's Hall Of Fame in 2001. |
|
|
37K |
Dennis Harris in Columbus, Ohio on June 29, 1958 |
|
|
Amateur (later-Junior)-ranked Harris was killed during the 10-mile Amateur race at the AMA Grand National Championship event at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. |
|
|
|
|
8 |
Jimmy Phillips in Gardena, California on June 27, 1958 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Phillips, 31, succumbed to injuries suffered on the 1/3-mile oval at Gardena Stadium on June 27. He passed away the following day, June 28. |
|
 |
|
Jimmy was rookie expert #8X in 1949, winning both Nationals at Peoria that year.
From Martin Krenz: "Jimmy helped put Triumph on the dirt track map. He won the first Triumph Nationals ever in 1951 |
|
Jimmy was posthumously inducted into the AMA's Hall Of Fame in 1998. |
|
|
90N |
Jesse James Horelica in Daytona Beach, Florida on March 9, 1958 |
|
|
Amateur (later-Junior)-ranked Horelica, from Houston, TX, was killed during the 100-mile Amateur race that preceeded the Daytona 200. He flipped his BSA on the beach and was hit by another rider. |
|
|
|
|
37 |
Chuck Basney in Gardena, California on October 26, 1956 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Basney crashed in a heat race on the quarter-mile oval at Gardena Stadium that also seriously injured defending Grand National Champion - and Basney's good friend - Brad Andres. |
|
 |
|
From Chuck Basney, Jr: "That night (October 26), he would have received the High Point Trophy for winning the 1956 District 37 High Point title.
He was Pacific Coast Flat Track Champion in 1951, 52, 53, 54, and 55 held on the 1/2-mile track at Tulare, CA. Back then in addition to the Grand
National Champion, the AMA kept track of the High Point dirt track rider in the nation also. My dad won that in 1951 and 1956. Both times Bill Tuman was a
very close second. One of the years, he beat Bill Tuman by just one point."
"The photo above comes from a 1955 Gardena Stadium program in which he was featured. For your info, Ascot Park was originally named LA Speedway which opened in 1957.
During that year they raced there, not at Gardena Stadium. During 1957 they made Gardena Stadium a 1/3-mile track and racing went back there in 1958,
which was the last year for racing at Gardena Stadium. In 1958, LA Speedway was renamed Ascot Park." |
|
|
65X |
George "Brad" Bradley in Gardena, California on September 21, 1956 |
|
|
Amateur-ranked Bradley, 30, of Santa Barbara, California, crashed during practice on the 1/4-mile track at Gardena Stadium. He died on September 25 of severe head and neck injuries. |
|
 |
|
From Chuck Basney, Jr: "During practice, George got into a tank-slapper entering turn one...he went over the bars
and landed on his head. He died at Harbor General Hospital. He owned three night clubs - the Trophy Toom, The Round The Clock, and the Tick Tock Bar."
"In 1955 he was a Novice main event winner at Gardena Stadium and De Anza Park in Riverside, California. He also captured second place in the 440 for Novices
on the beach at Daytona." |
|
|
43S |
Bob Dunn in Kansas City, Kansas, on July 29, 1956. |
|
|
Class B (later "Amateur")-ranked Dunn, of Rockford, Illinois, was involved in a multi-rider accident during an AMA Pro Racing Six-Star half mile event at Lakeside Stadium. Bob went down and was hit by Frank Wancyzk, who later died from his injuries. Bob died of a concussion at the hospital. |
|
|
53N |
Frank Wanczyk in Kansas City, Kansas, on July 29, 1956. |
|
|
Class B (later "Amateur")-ranked Wancyzk, of Denver, Colorado, was involved in a multi-rider accident during an AMA Pro Racing Six-Star half mile event at Lakeside Stadium that also claimed the life of Bob Dunn. Frank passed away at the local hospital from his injuries on August 3, 1965. |
|
|
13M |
Lee Schoenecker in Kansas City, Kansas, on May 6, 1956. |
|
|
Class B (later "Amateur")-ranked Schoenecker, of Wichita, Kansas, ran over another rider and then hit the concrete wall on the front straightaway in front of the grandstands. From George Holter, #60K: "Lee ran over #98N Mel Flint of Denver, Colorado. Lee lost his helmet (Clymer type) on contact. Dead upon arrival at the hospital. Mel was not injured and is still living." |
|
|
15M |
Tom Metcalfe in Norton, Kansas in 1954 |
|
|
Amateur (later "Junior")-ranked Metcalfe, of Denver, Colorado, lost control of his motorcycle during the first Amateur heat race at the AMA Pro Racing 3-Star half mile event and hit a light pole. He passed awawy at the local hospital from multiple injuries. |
|
|
7 |
Billy Huber in Dodge City, Kansas on July 5, 1953 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Huber was leading the 200 mile race at the 120 mile mark when his rear wheel flew off. He crashed, and died the next morning, July 6, 1953. |
|
Billy won four AMA Nationals in his career, and was posthumously inducted into the AMA's Hall Of Fame in 1998. |
|
| Back To Top |
1940-1949 |
|
5 |
Andy Drobeck in Langhorne, Pennsylvania on September 1, 1946 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Drobeck died in a crash on the mile oval during an AMA National.
From the September 1946 Motorcyclist Magazine: The loss of one of America's most up and coming riders, a true sportsman and a credit to
motorcyclist, at Langhorne on September 1st has left a vacancy in the sport that will be difficult to replace. Andy Drobeck, a certain candidate
for Motorcycling's Hall of Fame, met with a fatal accident during the 69th lap of the 100 mile National Championship and died before reaching
the hospital. Hailing from Reading, Pennsylvania, this native son of the Keystone State had shown amazing track ability throughout the 1946 season
and had carried the Indian banner to new triumphs in his first post-war season." |
|
Drobeck was among the first riders issued a "permanent National Number" in October 1941, given #5. |
|
|
??? |
Tommy Hayes in Oakland, California on October 19, 1941 |
|
|
Expert-ranked Hayes died in a crash on the mile oval during the Oakland 200 AMA National Event.
June McCall went down at a high rate of speed and several other riders crashed trying to avoid him. Hayes and McCall were killed,
three others (including Ben Campanale) were also injured in what Campanale's AMA Hall Of Fame bio lists as "one of the worst motorcycle racing crashes of all time".
Hayes had won three of the six Nationals run prior to the Oakland event in 1941. |
|
Hayes was among the first riders issued a "permanent National Number" in October 1941, given #12. Sadly, he never got to wear the number. |
|
 |
|
|
??? |
June McCall in Oakland, California on October 19, 1941 |
|
|
Expert-ranked McCall died in a crash on the mile oval during the Oakland 200 AMA National Event.
He went down at a high rate of speed and several other riders crashed trying to avoid him. Tommy Hayes was also killed,
three others (including Ben Campanale) were also injured in what Campanale's AMA Hall Of Fame bio lists as "one of the worst motorcycle racing crashes of all time". |
|
|
|
|
??? |
Mario Stillo in Galt, California in 1941 |
|
|
From Ken Magri: "Mario Stillo, from Chico, California, died at an AMA-sanctioned flat track race in Galt.
He was a great Class C racer from that era (he won the 1940 Pacific Coast TT Championship in Hollister, CA).
He rode Indians. |
|
 < |
|
| Back To Top |
1930-1939 |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
|
?? |
Dick Ince in Oakland, California on November 27, 1938 |
|
|
Ince, 23, died after crashing during the Oakland 200 National Championship event.
From Armando Magri: "I was right alongside Dick Ince when he suddenly went down.
Ernie told me later that he flew right into the railing and died. He said that Ince went flying off
his motorcycle and into the metal railing on one of the high-banked corners.
Dick was handsome and likeable. He raced speedway and mile tracks, and performed movie
motorcycle stunts just for the thrills." |
|
  |
|
|
?? |
Floyd Faulkner in Springfield, Illinois on August 21, 1938 |
|
|
Faulkner, of Tilton, Illinois, died during time trials for the AMA National Championship event on the mile oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. |
|
| Back To Top |
1920-1929 |
EVENT |
# |
Name, location, date |
|
?? |
Eddie Brinck in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 13, 1927 |
|
|
Brinck crashed directly in front of Joe Petrali during a half-mile dirt track race at the Eastern State Exposition after his front tire blew out while entering a turn. Brinck succumbed to his injuries that night in the hospital. |
| | Eddie was posthumously inducted into the AMA's Hall Of Fame in 1998. |
