Albert “Shrimp” Burns and an unidentified team pit man, M&ATA 200 Mile National Championship race at Ascot Park, June 22, 1919.
What is it about these old machines that captivates us after all of these years? Is it the raw engineering of their power, the elegant simplicity of their purpose? The machines, the weapons in the original arms race of speed, have become icons in their own right. The pioneers who ran them wide open and, on occasion, beyond their limits are true legends of American motorsport. Their ironclad determination, be it on the dirt or the boards, etched their names into the history of our culture, and the rare images that survived have immortalized the moments when titans once rode among us.
Pictured here is the Albert “Shrimp” Burns (and a yet identified pit man) from his brief but triumphant tenure on Harley-Davidson’s legendary factory racing team, the Wrecking Crew. The teenaged Burns made a name for himself, racing around California before WWI, honing his skills while the war interrupted the sport, only to emerge as its brightest star once racing resumed in 1919. Bill Ottaway, engineer, and director of the factory racing program at Harley-Davidson, took note and, in June 1919, signed Burns to a contract riding for the Motor Co.
This photo comes from that moment, Burns’ first professional race as a member of the legendary Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew. Held at the old Ascot Park on June 22, 1919, the M&ATA 200-Mile National Championship was dominated by Harley-Davidson. In what was a parade of Milwaukee iron across the line, Burns and his new team closed out every place first through fifth. Ralph Hepburn took the grand prize, covering the 200 miles in just over 2 hours and 45 minutes at an average speed of 72 mph. Burns came in fourth, taking home $150 and a prime position on America’s greatest racing team. He commanded the 1919 season for Harley but, after less than six months, left the team to the surprise of many, kicking off the 1920 season at the same track riding for Harley’s main rival, Indian.
It has been a while, but I’m happy to be back. Stay Tuned…