To view an event such as this gives you different perspective on motorcycle racing. Like a time machine, it thrusts you back to a time when full throttle racers flew around tracks made from boards, crouched down to become a part of the machine just to gain that little bit of extra speed by cutting down on the resistance to the wind, heads up hugging the gas tanks they roared by us with open pipes, some smoking and chugging, adjusting as they go. The leader of the pack straining to get a glimpse of where his rival is, and the pour it to her look on their faces tells you that to them, this is serious business. 

But I think that it is more than just winning. Its a victory of putting an old piece of iron back on the track where it belongs. Its a commitment to the rebuilding skills a the fix for the addiction to speed and the joy of the tuners art. They just want to squeeze just one more ounce of power out of their machines, gain an edge and the sweet smell of victory. I think they are just plain having a blast of a time. Rounding the corners kicks up the dust and dirt, side by side pressing each other almost unaware of the possible danger of connecting with each other at 80 plus miles per hour. But to them must seem like straight ahead focus looking for the short line to the checkered flag.

Here's a brief race report straight from Jim: Won the board track again, would have been a good one but the guy that was running with me lost a tire. It was Rusty Lowry of GMA fame on a Harley 8 valve and we where having fun.  Disapointed with the Scout came in 6th, felt like I was going backwards. Fooled with the cam timing to much as it plain sucked power wise. Will run it on the dyno again for a baseline and switch things back to the way they where. Oh well next year I guess.

Full story on Jim's 1928 boardtrack racer here!

Jim Wall has been racing vintage bikes since 1989, mostly on dirt tracks, and has frequently ended up in the winners' circle. Jim also won the boardtrack race at Davenport last year. Before taking up Indian racing, Jim was an MX racer. There's a Laconia Scout (vertical) waiting at the back of the Wall garage. Expect to see Jim race on pavement when this bike is done.

Jim has been writing a number of "Racer's Corner" articles for the VI, mainly concerning how to go about wringing more speed, handling and reliability from his hot Sport Scout (pic to the right). Click here for more:
 

Factory 648 Racing Instructions	All about Indian Cams
Intro to Sport Scout Racers	Factory Racing Tanks
Strengthening 741 Rear Frames	Narrowing 741 Forks

VI's own Fasst Jim Wall wins on his boardtracker again! More below. Pic by Stan Jessup
 

Full Race Results Below!
 

Going all-out! Pic by Stan Jessup

Sidecars raced too. Pic by Stan Jessup

Jim Wall going outside Larry Semler on the HD to take the lead -and eventually the win in the boardtrack, experienced class.

Jim's Sport Scout racer on which he placed 6th in the handshift amateur class. Expect a full feature on this bike soon...

Frank Westfall, Henderson. Pic by Stan Jessup

Riding them like they were meant to... Pic by Stan Jessup

The pack roaring 'round the corner.
Pic by Stan Jessup

When was the last time you saw an OHV Waverly single racing full-bore? Pic by Stan Jessup

Click on pictures for full size