Jake De Rosier

This image of noted motorcycle racing champion Jake DeRosier was published in the May 30, 1909 Indianapolis Star to report on the famous riders expected to compete at the then-new Indianapolis Motor Speedway later that summer. DeRosier was among the very best known of the two-wheel racing stars of the time. DeRosier's story (I wrote the Wikipedia entry on him) was both heroic and tragic as his life ended far too soon. While he did appear at the Speedway's August 1909 motorcycle meet it was far from a satisfying experience as he was severely injured during a match race with another star rider, Ed Ligenfelder. The Speedway was finishing its construction work at the time of this photo.