iris123 20,984 Posted April 23, 2017 (edited) Not so good looking as the Indian as it hasn't been restored,but one of the iconic board and dirt racers of the early days,The Flying Merkel.Made famous by pioneer dirt track racer Maldwyn Jones.They go for big money now http://silodrome.com/flying-merkel-motorcycle/ http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=47 http://www.theflyingmerkel.com/site/merkel-racing,42.html Article on Margaret Gast born in Germany lived in New York,who raced a Flying Merkel and is "supposed to be the only lady board -track rider in the world" http://www.nagengast.org/nagengast/Gast/Cycle/ARticles/Driver-Cycle_name.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Gast Edited April 23, 2017 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 23, 2017 (edited) Not so good looking as the Indian as it hasn't been restored,but one of the iconic board and dirt racers of the early days,The Flying Merkel.Made famous by pioneer dirt track racer Maldwyn Jones.They go for big money now http://silodrome.com/flying-merkel-motorcycle/ http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=47 http://www.theflyingmerkel.com/site/merkel-racing,42.html Article on Margaret Gast born in Germany lived in New York,who raced a Flying Merkel and is "supposed to be the only lady board -track rider in the world" http://www.nagengast.org/nagengast/Gast/Cycle/ARticles/Driver-Cycle_name.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Gast I didn't know that Mrs. Merkel was in to Motorbikes. I must have missed that one. :unsure: :D Edited April 23, 2017 by The White Knight 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,984 Posted April 23, 2017 Interesting article on early dirt and board track racer,Jim Davis http://www.ridingvintage.com/2012/11/jim-davis-motorcycle-racing-legend.html http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=24 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 23, 2017 (edited) More bikes from the old Board Track era.They are (1) a Thor and (2) a Harley Davidson. Details and another image of a Thor motorcycle on the Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHbB23yRzZ8 This is one of the bikes used by the old Board Track riders. It's an Indian motorcycle from the 1914-15 era of that form of motorcycle racing. It is very similar to the bike - also an Indian - featured in a previous Post. The Early, Deadly Days of Motorcycle Racing Photographer A.F. Van Order captured the thrills and spills of board-track motorcycle racing in the 1910s SMITHSONIANMAG.COM Click on the heading to view images on the Link. Edited April 23, 2017 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted April 24, 2017 Interesting article on early dirt and board track racer,Jim Davis http://www.ridingvintage.com/2012/11/jim-davis-motorcycle-racing-legend.html http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=24 Great image...but look at that safety fence! More bikes from the old Board Track era.They are (1) a Thor and (2) a Harley Davidson. Details and another image of a Thor motorcycle on the Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHbB23yRzZ8 This is one of the bikes used by the old Board Track riders. It's an Indian motorcycle from the 1914-15 era of that form of motorcycle racing. It is very similar to the bike - also an Indian - featured in a previous Post. The Early, Deadly Days of Motorcycle Racing Photographer A.F. Van Order captured the thrills and spills of board-track motorcycle racing in the 1910s SMITHSONIANMAG.COM Click on the heading to view images on the Link. Some great looking motorcycles! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) Great image...but look at that safety fence! There is a misconception in regard to safety fences. Basically they are not there for the benefit of the riders as many think. Rather are they there to protect the spectators from riders running into them. Basic good old Health and Safety guide I presume? That was an explanation once given me in my 'speedway reporting days' by then Wimbledon promoter the late and much respected Ronnie Greene. In that concept the safety fence in the old Board Track photo would appear adequate. But I know there are 'experts' who specialise in following my Posts who will somehow find a different opinion in regard to why safety fences are provided! Edited April 24, 2017 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vince 9,458 Posted April 24, 2017 I agree that safety fences are there to protect spectators, after all riders would be better served by having nothing or a nice soft pile of people to run into. However given the number of spectator fatalities and injuries I would question that the board track fences were adequate. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) I agree that safety fences are there to protect spectators, after all riders would be better served by having nothing or a nice soft pile of people to run into. However given the number of spectator fatalities and injuries I would question that the board track fences were adequate. It was interesting, however, that when Arena Essex (as they were then known) first entered speedway (1984) with a fenceless track it proved unpopular with some riders (Barry Thomas in particular) who argued that they were unable to gauge the exterior of the track often over running. I well recall the sight of marshals having to dismantle the starting tapes post and running with it to the centre before the bikes entered the second lap! Edited April 24, 2017 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) Board Track racing - Carl Goudy. http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx… Edited April 24, 2017 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,984 Posted April 24, 2017 On a previous link i posted there was an item mentioning a portable board track run by J.A.Barnaby.Wonder if anyone(Chunky) has any more info on this? Found some info that there was one doing the rounds in the US up until the 70s.Probably used for cycle racing though going by the source of the info Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 24, 2017 This is a site run by a very old and good friend of mine who lives in the USA. It carries much information in regard to Board Tracks and I recommend it to those who are following this thread. http://dlmracing.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/motordrome-racings-darkest-days-newark.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,984 Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) Looks like this might be a portable board track from the size with Margaret Gast Cross between a board track and a wall of death??? Edited April 24, 2017 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,984 Posted April 26, 2017 Wrecking crew member Otto Walker with rather strange head gear Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) Wrecking crew member Otto Walker with rather strange head gear Not unlike the headgear worn by some World War One RFC aircrew (Observers). See here: https://www.google.com/search?q=rfc+pilot/observer+headgear&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwinif6P88LTAhWiF8AKHcy2COcQ7AkINg&biw=1440&bih=767#imgrc=VoO-jqEN0WWZZM: Edited April 26, 2017 by The White Knight 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 26, 2017 Some interesting comment to be found about The Wrecking Crew if you scroll down on this Link: http://www.motordromeracing.com/going-for-glory/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
