Al "Old #91" Burke
1996, Competition
Al has been motorcycling all of his life. Not only in racing for many years and winning more than his share, but since retiring f rom the track, has been active in motorcycling activities. Announcing races throughout the midwest, and being active in public relations for the sport, as well as helping with sponsorships in racing. He has, and still is, spending untold hours in launching and continuing work with various motorcycle organizations.
To quote Al;
"I was very fortunate, as I grew up at a motorcycle shop during World War II. I was just eight years old and Eske Carlson of Carlson Brothers BSA & Norton Sales in Richfield, Minnesota said: "If you're going to hang around every day, you may as well learn something". He started me out taking wheels apart and then respoking them. He then started me on engines, a little at a time. When I was nine years old, on a day when we had a freezing rain, he told me to take a Harley 45, with an outrigger sidecar and go to the store and get some pop. I think I killed the engine three times on glare ice. I finally gave it more throttle, dumped the clutch and took off in a full broad-slide out of the driveway, and have always laughed that I started out in a full slide and never quit.
I rode to Sturgis in 1949 on a girder fork, ridged frame, 21 cubic inch Velocette. I got the award for the youngest rider attending on my own bike f rom Pappy Hoel, down on main street when they didn I t have to block of f the street because there were so f ew bikes out here.
I rode in my first motorcycle race at f if teen years old in 1949, on a 'BSA single. I couldlnt get into the AMA until I was eighteen years old in those days, so I rode outlaw every Sunday at Twin City Speedway, in-between the stock car races and through the big holes. I learned quickly how to ride around the holes instead of through them. When I turned eighteen in 1952, I rode my novice year, and was one of the top points in the country. In 1953, I started as an amateur (now days a junior), and went to Daytona on a new BSA Gold Star, and dirt tracks all over the country. About half-way through the year I got a letter from Jules Horkey, telling me I had been raised to Expert. I placed in five nationals and got awarded my national #91, in 1954. I was given a factory ride from Harley Davidson in 1955, from Hank Syverson, and rode for Harley until I retired in 1963.
I won the Minnesota state championship eight times, and they retired the title with me when I quit. I won the national short track championship at Santa Fe in 1956 and 1957, among other regional short track championships. I had Hank Syverson make me a one-of-a-kind rear frame section for a KR that was 17 1/211 long, just for short track. I still have that frame and the 1957 winning engine in it.
In 1956, Charlie West beat me by a half of a wheel in the five mile National at Sturgis. In 1957, I won the "Black Hills Classic", as it was not a national that year. I won the Canadian National in 1956. In July of 1956, I set an all time record of 37 wins in one week. on the short track, we raced what was called the "handicap/scratch program", where you go until there was only one winner. We would ride seven times a night, if you kept winning. I won the heat and final on an Iowa half mile on Sunday, seven times at Milwaukee on Tuesday, seven times at Santa Fe on Wednesday, seven times on Thursday at Flint, Michigan, seven times on Friday and again seven times at Schereville, Indiana, taking 37 first places in a week. I retired from racing in 1963, after holding my national number for ten years.
In 1979, J.C. "Pappy" Hoel and I were talking about how we could get a reunion of the old motorcycle racers-that had rode here at Sturgis, back then, together. From that conversation was born the "White Plate Flat Tracker's Association". Pappy wrote a book called "Life's Bits and Pieces." I wrote a chapter in it about dirt track racing and growing up at Sturgis.
1995 was my 46th year at Sturgis. I am a charter life member of the White Plate Flat Tracker's Association, an honorary member of the Jackpine Gypsie M/C Club and a charter life member of the AMA #50284.
I am still active in motorcycle racing by helping to sponsor young racers like Dave Durelle and the young lady that races out here, Elizabeth "Bitsey" Kantor, along with being the race announcer at many events, and color commentator at other races. I am also the secretary of the "Over the Hill Gang", a group of retired motorcycle racers.
Motorcycles and motorcycle racing have been very good to me and I'm trying to give a little back to the sport I love."
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