Group - 1 pose/1 neg.; the following is a story in the Butler County Press from Thursday, Sept 25, 1947:
Motorcycle Races Attracted Over 300 Motorcycles
Over 300 motorcycles and 600 riders were here Sunday to participate in the Motorcycle Gypsy Tour at the David City fair grounds. Fifteen motorcycle clubs were represented, three coming from Iowa, one from Salina, Kas., one from St. Joseph, Mo., and the rest from all parts of Nebraska. The Trailblazers Motorcycle club sponsored the event and was assisted by the Lincoln club Co-operating with the clubs were the David City merchants who furnished the trophies the Jaycees, Butler county fair board and Boy Scouts. .
Many of the motorcyclists arrived Saturday and took part in a parade around the square that evening. Those not taking part in the program of races and events Sunday joined the large crowd of spectators in the grandstand.
During the races one had the opportunity to see all kinds of motorcycles in operation as well as to see the exhibitions of star riders.
The races were of a varied nature, including mile races, half mile races, load carrying races, side car races, TT or tourist trophy races, and finals in each event. Tom Janda received the trophy and medal for winning the most races.
John Graybill's drive through a burning wall concluded the day's program. In his ride he received a broken bone in his left hand. There was one other accident victim, Charles Fields of Omaha, who received a bruised muscle in his leg when his machine made a bad slide on the northwest turn of the track in the half-mile race. Graybill received a trophy for his crash drive.
James Blei, president of the Trailblazers club was starter of the races, and Billy Wolfe of Lincoln was master of ceremonies over the loud-speaker system.
Receipts from sale of tickets at the entrance gate and to the grandstand, and at the lunch stand totaled $1200. About half of the proceeds will be clear money, which will be used by the local club to improve their club house and grounds and to purchase emblems for their club shirts.
The local club will sponsor tourist trophy races October 5 at the club track, which has been made at the site of the old brick yards.
The Trail Blazers club has been incorporated as a non-stock corporation. The incorporators are James Blei, John Graybill, Charles Dale and Charles Novak, Jr., David City and Carol Zimmer, Bellwood.