Live Fast and Die Young; The Story of "Shrimp" Burns

   Albert "Shrimp" Burns wasn't a man of large stature, hence the nickname "Shrimp," in fact, he was barely a man at such a young age. Shrimp Burns was the youngest racer of his day and of small build. Being so was probably an advantage in weight and contributed to his speed on the track, giving him the reputation as one of the top board and dirt track racers of the 1910s and early 1920s.

  Born in Oakdale, CA in 1898, his family soon moved to Oakland. Growing up in Oakland as a young boy, he loved to hang around the nearby Pope Motorcycle dealership. Being a bit of a nuisance and underfoot, he'd soon be chased away but, undeterred, he'd return and kept returning. His persistence paid off when at the age of 12 he was hired on as the shop helper. Ever infatuated with motorcycles, one day while the owner was out Shrimp found his opportunity. He helped himself to one of the Pope lightweight machines for a ride around the block. Soon he was allowed to ride the shop machines to run messages and errands and was occasionally allowed to borrow one for Sunday rides.

  On May 4th, 1913 at the young age of 15, Shrimp Burns competed in his first professional race, coming in an impressive 4th place. Again coming in 4th in a 10 mile Championship race in Sacramento later in the year. He quickly became a crowd favorite, known for both his gritty determination and his childish antics. The seasoned racers on the circuit didn't appreciate being shown up by a young boy riding inferior equipment and complained, protesting his young age. The result was his entry being rejected for the next race. Shrimp took it like the young man he was, sitting on the outside track railing making faces at his fellow racers as they sped by... the officials soon had him ejected from the grounds.

  Late in the 1913 season he was once again allowed to race at San Jose, California where he won his first title, coming in at 1st place. For the next several seasons, Shrimp Burns continued to race at events around California. His fame continued to grow and he gained a loyal following of fans who loved him for his toughness, as he often raced though injured. Burns once took a hard spill at a race at Marysville, CA and it was thought that he would be done for the day. After hobbling to the pits, Burns fixed his motorcycle, and to everyone's surprise, entered the next race. Although in extreme pain, he took 1st place in the 5 mile event, to the delight of the cheering crowd. Afterwards, when friends insisted upon him seeing a doctor, it was found that he had run, and won, the race despite a fractured collarbone and broken shoulder.

  In 1919, Shrimp Burns won the first major race of the western circuit after World War 1, in Fresno, Ca. That June, at the age of 20, he signed a contract with Harley Davidson. He now had access to factory racing machines and the opportunity to race outside his home state of California. On July 4th he made his first appearance on the east coast, where he won a 5 mile race at a National event in Baltimore. As he thrilled crowds with a winning streak throughout the midwest, he became known as one of the country's best riders. At Atlanta, Burns came close to besting the legendary and practically unbeatable Indian racer, Gene Walker. In the final race of 1919, in Sheperdsville Kentucky, Shrimp Burns won a 100 mile National Championship, beating the famous Ralph Hepburn by mere inches.

  Burns shocked his fans when it was revealed that he had switched loyalties for the 1920 racing season. Instead of riding for Harley Davidson, who he felt was unfairly promoting other team members above himself, he would now race for Indian Motorcycle, who had promised him only the best equipment. Regardless of mounts, he again began to rack up the wins, claiming the first National title of 1920 at Ascot Park, Los Angeles. According to newspaper reports of the day, many of the 15,000 fans in attendance flooded the track, hoisted Burns on their shoulders, and shouted until they were hoarse. Mechanical problems kept him from the winner's podium at both the Dodge City 300 and the Marion Indiana Cornfield Classic of 1920, but he won a 5 mile Championship at Denver.

  Shrimp Burns began the 1921 racing season with what may have been the most spectacular win of his career. On April 24, at the newly built 1.25 mile boardtrack in Beverly Hills, California Burns won the 1st race of the day. He suffered a crash in the next event and appeared badly injured. With both hands and arms bloodied and full of splinters, it looked as though he was out for the remainder of the day. When, later in the day, it was announced that he would compete in the final race of the day, the crowd came to it's feet. Burns soon appeared at the race's start on a borrowed motorcycle, with both arms and hands wrapped in bandages. For most of the race, it looked as though Burns was taking it easy, staying in the middle of the pack and drafting behind other riders. Then, on the last lap, Burns unexpectedly went high on the final turn and suddenly shot down the steep bank, passing the leaders as thought shot from a gun and spectacularly taking the win. (Link to video here... https://youtu.be/ANyxZVWBWlg)

  Then on August 14th of 1921, tragedy struck. At a race at Toledo, Ohio, just two days after his 23rd birthday, Burns ran into the rear of Ray Weishaar's motorcycle coming out of a turn. Burns was sent headlong into the track's outer railing. He later died of his head injuries. His young fiancée, Genevieve Moritz, had earlier arrived to bring him a birthday gift. Staying to watch the race, she witnessed the fatal crash. Burns's death was one of many of the boardtrack era, but it was one of the most hard felt. He was deeply mourned by both fans and fellow racers nationwide. 

  

Eugene Walker: The Gentleman Racer

   Some would say that Eugene Walker was your typical Southern Gentleman. Quiet and friendly, he was affectionately known as "Gene" by all who knew him. Born in 1893 in Plevna, Alabama, Birmingham was his hometown from a very young age. History remembers Gene Walker as one of the friendliest and most successful motorcycle racers of early 20th century. 

Gene Walker aboard his 8 valve racer, 1915

   In 1910, he got his first taste of motorcycles at the age of 17, on an Excelsior. That same year he began working as a Postman, delivering the Birmingham mail astride an Indian. Gene entered a 5 mile race at the Alabama State Fair in 1912. His 1st place finish attracted the attention of a local Indian distributor and racer named Robert Stubbs. Stubbs offered to train and coach Walker, in addition to supplying him motorcycles to race. It must've sounded like a dream come true to the young 19 year old. Gene left the Postal Service and went to work for Stubbs.

  Still racing as an amateur, Walker was soon out pacing the professional riders on the circuit. Turning pro in October of 1914, Walker began racing for the Indian factory team on boards and on dirt tracks. In July of 1915, he led the Indian team to it's first National Victory. 

Gene Walker (right)

  Racing was halted during WW1. The motorcycle manufacturers turned there attention to war efforts and many of the riders enlisted to serve their country. Gene returned to Birmingham Alabama and found work at the local Harley Davidson dealership. He kept his riding skills honed in local races, aboard Harley Davidson motorcycles.

  After the war ended, Walker returned to Springfield Massachusetts to work for Indian as a test rider, returning to the track when racing resumed in 1919. The back and forth battle between Indian and the Harley Davidson "Wrecking Crew" was at a fever pitch. With Walker at the lead, the Indian factory team achieved 6 National wins in 1919.

Gene Walker, Ormand Beach, FL 1920

  In the spring of 1920, Walker and fellow racer Herbert McBride were sent to Ormand Beach, FL to attempt several speed records. The machine supplied by Indian was a modified 61 cubic inch Powerplus V-twin, a side valve, or "flathead" engine. It had oversized valves for better performance and an increased number of cooling fins on the heads. Twenty four national and international records fell to Walker and McBride before the dust settled. Gene Walker and his Powerplus became the first to successfully complete an officially timed mile run at over 100 mph, setting the record at 104.12 mph (167.56 km/h).

               The "Daytona Engine"

  The success shown that day led to the modified Powerplus engine being known as the "Daytona Engine." Walker also made some passes on his specially race prepped 61 cubic inch 8 valve V-twin. The "8 valve" engine was an early 4 valve per cylinder design built solely for the track and powered Walker to a blistering pass at 115.79 mph (186.35 km/h).

Indian 8 valve racer

The 8 valve racer was very efficient and fast, but complex and costly to build, it would be the Powerplus sidevalve that would power the future of Indian on and off the track.

  In 1921, just a year after his record breaking runs, Gene Walker was scheduled to race in Dodge City, KS. Having some safety concerns, he refused, and was let go from the Indian team. For the next three years, Walker bounced between piloting Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles on the track, still claiming victories. In June 7, 1924 Walker, on his birthday, was conducting practice laps on a dirt track in Stroudsburg Pennsylvania. Accounts vary, but most believe that he collided with a tractor that was too close to the track. He died on June 21, 1924 at the age of 31, leaving behind a pregnant wife and two daughters. Remembered for his kind, soft spoken ways, Gene Walker was mourned by many, both fellow racers and fans.