ATLANTA'S 'BLACK STREAKS'

Contributor David LaMar Morrill recently brought my attention to the remarkable and nearly forgotten story of Afro-American Board Track Racers during the 'Teens, deep in the American South.  The prospect of turning up some new motorcycle history is deeply exciting, and I encouraged David to write up an article.  After researching this obscure tale, he delivers the story here:

The 'Other' Harley and Indian War

Two of Atlanta's 'Black Streaks' astride their Indian board track racers, in 1919

Beginning in the mid-Teens, factory racing teams from both Indian and Harley-Davidson fought a hard battle for dominance on the board and dirt tracks around the country.  Great riders like Gene Walker, Shrimp Burns, Otto Walker, and many others made their names riding for either the Indian 'Wigwam' or the Harley 'Wrecking Crew'. The bikes they rode were little more than bicycles, with powerful V twin engines, and no brakes. Motorcycle racing was a major spectator sport and drew tens of thousands of spectators across the country. 

In Atlanta, another group of racers sought fame and fortune, whose story today is virtually unknown; these black riders had colorful nicknames like Hall “Demon Wade” Ware, Horace “Midnight” Blanton, and “Bones the Outlaw,” who raced each other at Atlanta’s Lakewood Speedway from 1913 to 1924. They didn't have the latest factory racing bikes, and their racers were often cobbled together with obsolete parts from the scrap piles of the local Harley and Indian dealers. They were known as Atlanta’s 'Black Streaks' and while their races were covered by the national motorcycle press, the articles reflected the racial prejudice of the day, with a 1919 Motorcycling and Bicycling article titled “When Dinge Met Dinge in Georgia"; the text was even worse.

Lining up for the 1924 'Championship' race at Lakewood Speedway

 In 1913, black riders gathered at the Atlanta Motordrome, a two mile oval Board Track, to compete in a motorcycle race held for black racers.  This appears to be the only race of it's kind held at the Motordrome. No account of the race, or it's participants has been found. The only mention is found in a November 1913 article in Motorcycling and Bicycling magazine, announcing the Atlanta Motordrome's pending bankruptcy. The article stated the Bonita Theater Company of Atlanta, owners of the Motordrome, had filed for bankruptcy. It further stated:

“This Motordrome earned an unsavory reputation by pulling off a race with negro riders, in defiance of F.A.M. regulations, thereby becoming outlawed as long as the present management exists.” As a result of the bankruptcy, the Motordrome closed.  It was later torn down, and is the current site of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Hall Ware, who rode as 'Demon Wade', aboard his Indian board track racer.  'The Grand Cullud Motorciccle Champeen of Jawja' [sic], as noted in a contemporary report.

Racing shifted to Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway in 1918, a one-mile dirt oval, and in June that year was held the “Grand Colored Motorcycle Championship Race.” The event drew large crowds from Atlanta’s black community, and wagers were often placed on the favorites. While the Harley and Indian factories had no involvement in these races, the local Harley and Indian dealers gave limited assistance to their chosen racers. They also  placed large wagers between themselves on the outcome of the race. In June of 1918 South Carolina racer Tom Reese, who called himself the “Champion of South Carolina”, arrived in Atlanta for the Championship. Reese’s manager began to brag that Reese could beat any Atlanta rider and was prepared to place a large cash wager to back up his claim. At the local Indian dealer, Hal “Demon Wade” Ware saw an opportunity. Already an accomplished local racer, Ware worked for the dealer as a mechanic. He convinced his boss, Nemo Lancaster, to lend him a competitive bike to race against Reese. While Lancaster recognized Ware’s talent, the rumor was he had a very large side bet with Reese’s manager. At the start of the race, Reese on a Harley-Davidson jumped out to an early lead. Reese’s manager was already looking forward to winning the wager. Ware, on the loaned Indian, soon caught the Carolina Champion, and passed him winning the race. Ware claimed the $150 first prize, and Lancaster collected on large side bet with Reese’s manager.

Horace 'Midnight' Blanton

The August 1919 race was another hard-fought battle, this time between 'Demon' Wade and 'Bones the Outlaw'. 'Midnight' Blanton won several of the preliminary races, and had a shot at winning the championship race. The night before the race, Atlanta board track racer Hammond Springs (who was white) helped Wade install Springs’ new Indian racing engine into Wade’s older Indian frame. The competitive engine allowed Wade the edge he needed to leave Blanton in his dust. On the final lap, he and Bones the Outlaw crossed the line in a tie. This required a rematch, which Wade won hands down, claiming the 1919 championship. The race for third place was battled by Sidney Donaldson (Indian) and Ernest Cox (HD).

Eventually, 'Bones the Outlaw' switched to racing automobiles, and 'Demon' Wade had sold his machine and moved north. For the 1924 races, 'Bones the Outlaw' made a demonstration run in his racing car, blasted around the dirt oval and putting on quite a show, narrowly avoiding a crash several times. In the motorcycle race, Horace Blanton had less competition, his two chief rivals having moved on, while his new rival proved to be Joe 'Read 'em and Weep' Reeder, riding a stock Indian Chief (probably his daily rider).  Blanton easily claimed the championship over a field of less experienced riders. 

Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway, the 'Indianapolis of the South', as seen in the film 'Smokey and the Bandit'; the track was used until 1979

In November of 1924, the owners of the Lakewood Speedway (the Bonita Theater Company) filed for bankruptcy, with C.F. Morris the receiver. An article announcing the bankruptcy stated:“This motordrome which earned an unsavory reputation by pulling off a race with negro riders, in defiance of F.A.M. regulations, thereby becoming outlawed as long as the present management exists.”  With the track’s bankruptcy, the races came to an end.  Still, for eight years a group of black motorcycle racers created a unique story in the 'Jim Crow' South, and had a moment in the limelight.

A 1919 article in 'Motorcycling and Bicycling' magazine.  The racist language recalls the abuse heaped on 1899 World Champion bicyclist Marshall 'Major' Taylor throughout his career.  For insight, I highly recommend any of his biographies.

 Author’s Note: This article is based on period articles from the collection of author Stephen Wright of Morro Bay, CA. Without his assistance, this article would not have been possible.  c.2012 David Morrill 
[Editor's note:  Stephen Wright is author of the remarkable 'American Racer' books, essential reading!]

Posted in: Black History, Board Track, Harley Davidson, Historic Racing, Historic Riders, Indian, Lost History