more board track racing

[troybilt]

This film was shot in Daytona in 1920. These guys kick ass and take names:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPZY-MUx8qk

 

[muskrat]

its amazing to think that these are the same bikes, even same year as the bike burt monroe used to build his record setting 'worlds fastest indian' which broke the 200mph mark, even if not on an officiated run.
i wonder how fast they got those things back then.
-k-

 

[Swagger]

I've got one of great granddad's stat sheets from '22, flying mile at 124mph. Skinny shitty tires, no suspension and NO BRAKES......

Yeah Gramps was nuts..

 

[troybilt]

Swagger, How cool is it to own that!!! Sweet! Those guys were sick! Just love it! I think I love them just as much as I love the bikes they rode.

 

[Swagger]

Yeah it took a certain kind of wackjob straddle a 200pound 100hp near unsteerable rocket that....oh yeah...about those brakes......there ain't none Buck! I've got the soup bowl "helmet" that he wore somewhere too. Boiled fucking leather! Back then men were really men. I don't mean that as the cliche that people throw around...I mean for real. Grampa Bud was the shite. If I could model myself after anyone in my family it'd be him. He flew in WW1, raced board track when he was done with the war because he was bored. Became a merchant marine in WW2 because they wouldn't let him enlist in the "regular" navy 'cuz he was too old. Had a ship torpedoed out from under him and spent 4 days and nights bobbing around the south pacific on a drum of fuel oil. After that he owned a dry dock, liqueur stores, a strip joint, a logging company and built 8g. shotguns for giggles. He died at 101 years old, stood straight and tall, had long silver hair almost to his belt and 5 days before they took him to the hostel to actually pass he kicked my ass playing poker, then Risk and finally cribbage. I miss that old buy.....

thanks for bringing the memories back up.

 

[troybilt]

Swagger, Thank you so very much for sharing that. Choked me up....
Wow brother that right there is why I love this site! Thank you, thank you, thank you! What i wouldn't give to have been able to sit and listen to the stories. It's guys like your grandfather Bud who make the world go around.
Just fantastic my friend. Do you have any photos to share?

 

[Swagger]

I was just thinking about that. I think I'll try to put together an 'Art Post'...pics and such. I think the family has a lot of him....he was kinda everyone's crazy relative..

 

[troybilt]

Swagger, that would be awesome! I would love that!!