Riders Arrive

This article was published August 9, 1909 in the Indianapolis Star. This was the day before the 388-mile endurance ride from Cleveland-to-Indianapolis that kicked off the big motorcyle events that week in the Hoosier capital. These events included not only the first motorized competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway but also a convention of the national governing body of motorcyclists - the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM).
 
The focus of the article was the caliber of motorcycle racing talent that was converging on the city at the time. Heading the list was multiple speed record holder Ed Lingenfelder of Los Angeles. He brought his seven HP N.S.U. Another notable was 17-year-old wunderkind Joe Seymour and his veteran mechanic Billy Hoag. "Feerless" Charles Balke and his Merkle are also noted as impressive entries.
 
The articles notes that three Indiana Motorcycle Club officers were candidates for national FAM offices and expected to be voted in during the convention. These were: Indiana Club President Charles Wyatt for FAM vice president with Harry Graff for treasurer and G.H. Hamilton for secretary.
 
A final interesting note was that race cars had practiced on the track as the first auto race meet was scheduled to immediately follow the first motocycle races. Cars and drivers on the track included Herb Lytle (Apperson) as well as Marmon cars. Also of interest is that the Speedway's attempt to establish a saloon on the grounds had been twarted by conservative county commissioners. This article is an update to the same article found elsewhere on First Super Speedway.