History Bring Out Yer Board Track Pics!

I need details on that last photo-is that Oldfield in the old time outfit?
The other fellow looks like Harry Miller.

Any Ideas?

 

Skywolf-I was going to post some of those photos but you beat me to it-LOL

 

It's Barney Oldfield.

 

I'm sure you have lots more

 

Some Barney Oldfield and Ralph De Palma.

 

Cool pic of Lindley Bothwell's 1914 GP Peugeot in its livery for his attempted qualification for the Indy 500 in 1949.-Jim

 

Just found some of my pics from Milwaukee 2005 Miller Meet

 

Fantastic thread (splinter?!)

Imagine dropping your motocycle and sliding over the surface of a board track....raised board ends to catch you! How were the boards fastened to the structure? Were they nailed from the top, if so, imagine the loosened nails standing proud of the track, you'd know it if you slid over one, holy crap!

 

The stench of oil, "hi-test" gasoline, splinters, the amazing shriek of many high strung centrifugally supercharged eights, the Roman chariot races had NOTHING on this stuff!

 

Man thats awesome!!! Would love to see a race in real life!!! What was the fatality rate? Just think, back then your doctor was in a bottle...hahaha Crazy bastards!!! Post more pics of the motorcycles please!! This is cool stuff!

 

What was the length of this track? Gary

 

DAMN!!! I am LOVING this thread. I have a germ of an idea in my head for a singe seater street car, aluminum body, light weight 4 banger (OT type - sorry) that I want to build. The design and style of these cars is right on the money for what I want.

Great fodder for the mental mechanical grist mill that is my head. Thanks for all the pixs and the history.

 

Showed my grandpa a restoration of a white tire board track Indian in a magazine back in '89. He said he'd been to a few races (didn't say where) I asked him if it was as dangerous as the writer had stated. Grandpa said that the carpenters knew to put the board's grain going the right way, for the most part....

Evidently running underinflated clincher type tires, led to blowouts or just plain rolled tire beads. And Splinters. Big splinters and lots of them. When I asked him how big is big and how many we were talking about, here- I'll never forget the words he used:

"Big as Bayonets and numerous as Body hair" still gives me shivers.

 

talks cheap.

 

OUtrageous!! I'm going to have to spend all week dropping these pics to my printer and make new wallpaper for the house.

 

the men drove and the women were mechanics...

 

Awesome "thread" ! I've loved these cars since I was a kid. Used to help out in a small dirt floor garage as a kid, the owner had gone to the first Indy 500. He finally only attended the time trials, said the race got too crowded for him. Thanks for the wonderful pictures - Now I won't be able to sleep! ! !

Davo

 

someone was talking like someone is building a motorcycle board track in sturgis....there was a board track in ludlow ky at the lagoon.... the tornado started the bad luck....a crash that ended up in the stands killed 7 people , burned 20 badly , and injured 50 finished it...


http://nkyviews.com/kenton/ludlow29.htm

http://nkyviews.com/kenton/ludlow06.htm

http://nkyviews.com/kenton/kenton1380.htm

 

Board tracks weren't real weather resistant. This is the Miami Fulford track before and after a hurricane:

 

Awesome thread!
One question. Why did the wheels in these pics, from this era, sometimes look like they were leaning forward? Almost like a cartoony piece of artwork, showing the cars at speed. Was it distortion from the cameras they used back then? I've always found it very cool looking.

 

This also when Carpenters were skilled craftsmen. No disrespect to all you modern day Carpenters, but just think of building these tracks with no air nailers, skill saws or any other power tools!

 

we are redoing a 120 + year old barn ....those guys had it together ...all hand cut , hand notched , pegged , and close tolerances. they were skilled craftsmen.

 

They built one of those tracks in 7 weeks! Most were close to a rail road spur, but it would be interesting to know what they use to move all that lumber into place.

 

If you're into fabrication,welding,brazing,casting parts or just for some inspiration in life,here is a link to a story of one man and his Excelsior boardtrack motorcycle. Personally the best thing i've seen in years.

www.flashbackfab.com

 

This thread is AMAZING!! Great topic!!