Fast Diggers: Eat-em Up Brown

When the Encino Velodrome was paved (asphalt) and opened in 1961, it had been forty long years from the previous "permanent" velodrome, the last opportunity for Los Angeles area bicyclists had to race on a dedicated track of their own. Not that there weren't other tracks constructed during that period of time, but none of them were "permanent," being built specifically for single events - such as the 1932 Olympics, and the various Six-Day Races held in the city during the 1930s.

In 1921, Jack Prince, the same Jack Prince who had his hand in velodromes, as well as motorcycle and auto racing tracks across the country dating back to the turn of the century (and, if you remember, managed Los Angeles' first indoor velodrome in 1899-1901), built yet another wood track in downtown. The track was built at Washington and Hill Streets and immediately attracted a great deal of interest from area cyclists and the sporting public.

The racer pictured above during early practice sessions on the tracks' forty degree banking, is identified only as "Eat-'em Up" Brown, and was one of many lesser-known locals to compete during the opening races right alongside highly-regarded and accomplished racers, such as Gus Hakanson, George Vigliani, and Clyde Arbuckle. 

"Eat-'em Up" Brown is but one of the Los Angeles racers (and racing venues) you will be able to read about in the second volume of Fast Digs. Remember, Fast Digs: Bicycle Racing Venues of Greater Los Angeles, the Early Years, 1880-1899 is still available for purchase through the Blurb Bookstore.