Fast Digs Update: Opening the New Stadium
Of the twenty days leading up to the opening day races at the new downtown Los Angeles stadium, Hill and Washington Streets, there were stories written about the progress of the track construction, who would be racing, or otherwise in attendance, on ten of those days. It was big news, and a far cry from non-existent coverage newspapers give to local racing now.
On February 1, 1921 the Los Angeles Herald noted that the first meet on the new track was to be held Sunday, February 20th. Under the direction and financing of Ira Vail (auto racer), William Pickens (sports promoter), and Jack Griffin (auto dealer) the new plant, as the track / stadium was often referred to, was to be a "masterpiece" of designer Jack Prince, who also designed the auto track at Beverly Hills. Incorporating Prince's "triple radius" design, the track, an eighth of a mile per lap, would provide a place for the "muscle boys who can pedal a racing bicycle around a steeply banked board course at high speed."
Local racing standout, Ralph De Palma was given the honor of becoming the first to circle the new track during practice, on February 5th, with another fifty riders waiting their turn.
Two days later, on the 7th, it as announced that a new organization had been formed, the California Cycling Association, to manage racing at the track and elsewhere in the state, shutting out rival east coast organizations who were in the midst of a bitter feud over control of racing on the national stage.
I have previously recounted a story from the 9th of February about many "old timers" rallying in support of the new stadium, but on the following day it was announced that two of the most accomplished racers from the northern part of the state - "Speed" Drysdale of Fresno, and Clyde Arbuckle of San Jose, would be competing in the opening day races. Many racers who had shown up for practice on the new track, the banked turns of which were being billed as steeper than any ever built, expressed fear at being unable to stay on the banked turns, yet then marveled at the ease with which they could actually ride them.
On the 11th of February it was announced that Earl Thompson would represent Los Angeles in the championship event against Drysdale and Arbuckle, and that George Vigliani, the Poly High School standout, whose bike was built by his fellow students, was to be another likely entrant.
On the 16th is was reported that the Parisian Gardens area of the track (infield) was nearing completion, as were the seating stands on each side, and that nearly 100 riders were out each day for practice. It was also revealed that "Cyclone" Black, "champion of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, has led his entry for all events in which he [is] eligible. Black is a wonder on dirt tracks and on the road and will probably display as much speed on the board track. He will report for practice tomorrow morning in order to get onto the curves of the eight-lap course."
It was announced on the 17th that Barney Oldfield would be attending the opening day races, hurrying to Los Angeles from Akron, Ohio for the special occasion. A day later came word that Fred J. Wagner, famous auto race starter would be starting the races on opening day: "Wag is a most spectacular starter of bike races and handles a .44 gun as a starting weapon fully as well as he wields the vari-colored flags at an auto event." In his words, "it will feel great to be back to my first love at the starting game. Bike racing should never have been allowed to lapse in public favor."
The day before the big event the management promised "short, snappy races, popular jazz music, a diversified bike program which will include a trick riding exhibition by Paul Gore, famous for his ability to tame the wildest bike ever made, and a quarter-mile exhibition by Fred St. Onge, who will ride a high-wheel on which he won many races 30 years ago. The arena at the stadium has been transformed into a Parisian garden, with tables and chairs to accommodate those who wish to combine comfort and entertainment with their thrills. This section will provide a gathering place for the old crowd which has had "no home" since the passing of the Ascot track."
Then came race day: This is where things get a little funny, because invariably (for every race I have so far read about), the build-up to race day is so much more exciting than the day itself. What I mean by that is there never is any of "the crowd went wild," or "it was an amazing finish, a once a year finish", type of recap story, not a single superlative describing the day-of action; a simple listing (not even very complete) of the day's results is all we get.
On February 1, 1921 the Los Angeles Herald noted that the first meet on the new track was to be held Sunday, February 20th. Under the direction and financing of Ira Vail (auto racer), William Pickens (sports promoter), and Jack Griffin (auto dealer) the new plant, as the track / stadium was often referred to, was to be a "masterpiece" of designer Jack Prince, who also designed the auto track at Beverly Hills. Incorporating Prince's "triple radius" design, the track, an eighth of a mile per lap, would provide a place for the "muscle boys who can pedal a racing bicycle around a steeply banked board course at high speed."
Local racing standout, Ralph De Palma was given the honor of becoming the first to circle the new track during practice, on February 5th, with another fifty riders waiting their turn.
Two days later, on the 7th, it as announced that a new organization had been formed, the California Cycling Association, to manage racing at the track and elsewhere in the state, shutting out rival east coast organizations who were in the midst of a bitter feud over control of racing on the national stage.
I have previously recounted a story from the 9th of February about many "old timers" rallying in support of the new stadium, but on the following day it was announced that two of the most accomplished racers from the northern part of the state - "Speed" Drysdale of Fresno, and Clyde Arbuckle of San Jose, would be competing in the opening day races. Many racers who had shown up for practice on the new track, the banked turns of which were being billed as steeper than any ever built, expressed fear at being unable to stay on the banked turns, yet then marveled at the ease with which they could actually ride them.
On the 11th of February it was announced that Earl Thompson would represent Los Angeles in the championship event against Drysdale and Arbuckle, and that George Vigliani, the Poly High School standout, whose bike was built by his fellow students, was to be another likely entrant.
On the 16th is was reported that the Parisian Gardens area of the track (infield) was nearing completion, as were the seating stands on each side, and that nearly 100 riders were out each day for practice. It was also revealed that "Cyclone" Black, "champion of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, has led his entry for all events in which he [is] eligible. Black is a wonder on dirt tracks and on the road and will probably display as much speed on the board track. He will report for practice tomorrow morning in order to get onto the curves of the eight-lap course."
It was announced on the 17th that Barney Oldfield would be attending the opening day races, hurrying to Los Angeles from Akron, Ohio for the special occasion. A day later came word that Fred J. Wagner, famous auto race starter would be starting the races on opening day: "Wag is a most spectacular starter of bike races and handles a .44 gun as a starting weapon fully as well as he wields the vari-colored flags at an auto event." In his words, "it will feel great to be back to my first love at the starting game. Bike racing should never have been allowed to lapse in public favor."
The day before the big event the management promised "short, snappy races, popular jazz music, a diversified bike program which will include a trick riding exhibition by Paul Gore, famous for his ability to tame the wildest bike ever made, and a quarter-mile exhibition by Fred St. Onge, who will ride a high-wheel on which he won many races 30 years ago. The arena at the stadium has been transformed into a Parisian garden, with tables and chairs to accommodate those who wish to combine comfort and entertainment with their thrills. This section will provide a gathering place for the old crowd which has had "no home" since the passing of the Ascot track."
Then came race day: This is where things get a little funny, because invariably (for every race I have so far read about), the build-up to race day is so much more exciting than the day itself. What I mean by that is there never is any of "the crowd went wild," or "it was an amazing finish, a once a year finish", type of recap story, not a single superlative describing the day-of action; a simple listing (not even very complete) of the day's results is all we get.
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