Newspaper Articles Pertaining to Motorcycle Racing at:

Arkansas City Speedway

a.k.a

West Madison Speedway

Arkansas City, KS

 

Labor Day – September 5, 1932

 

 

 

Arkansas City Daily Traveler
Saturday, August 27, 1932:

Several Heats To Be Run Off Here Labor Day

          Present Indications are that there will be so many entrants in the motorcycle races here Labor Day that the events will have to be run off in heats before the main races to determine the fastest riders.

          Frank Chacon, famous Wichita rider, was sent six entry blanks recently with the request that he book that many entrants for the local event if possible.  He wrote back recently asking for six more blanks.

          The lineup of racers now includes men from Joplin, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Cherryvale (KS), Coffeyville (KS), Bartlesville (OK), and Wichita.  Arkansas City will have several contestants who are practicing every night now at the West Madison Avenue track.  Lonnie Rose, a local favorite, does the half-mile in 35 seconds with a stock machine.

          A main feature event will be a race between Fire Chief Harry McCullough and Frank Mansfield, both of whom were outstanding racers of the Southwest several years ago.  There will be races for amateurs and for professionals, stunt exhibitions, and bicycle races.  The admission is 40˘ for adults and promoters guarantee the “biggest 40˘ worth of entertainment ever provided here.”  Proceeds over expenses go to the babies ice fund.

 

Arkansas City Daily Traveler
Wednesday, August 31, 1932, Front Page:

Nest Monday Is Labor Day

Motorcycle Races Will be a Feature of the Day

          Labor Day will be properly observed in Arkansas City next Monday.  The celebration of the day will be the motorcycle races at the West Madison Avenue track.  Prominent motorcycle performers, both of speed racing and stunting, will be here Monday from all over the Southwest.

          A permit from the American Motorcycle Association to conduct the race was received Wednesday.  This means that some of the most prominent racers in the country will be privileged to participate.  The formal permit is assurance that Frank Chacon, daredevil rider from Wichita, will demonstrate his skill here for the Labor Day crowd.

          Tickets for the races are now on sale at Long’s, the Rexall, and Dye and Fesler drug stores.  They are priced at 40˘ for adults and 25˘ for children, and permit the holder to any section of the grandstand or parking area.

          Bicycle races for persons under 14 and over 14 will be a special event.  The Arkansas City municipal band will furnish music.

 

Arkansas City Daily Traveler
Tuesday, September 6, 1932:

Rose is Victor in Cycle Race

Captures Arkansas City Event in Labor Day Program

            Lonnie Rose made good on his boast yesterday and was first under the wire to win the sweepstakes in the Labor Day motorcycle races and the Arkansas City championship.

          Albert Jones, of Oklahoma City, finished second, although he was first in time trials, and Frank Chacon, flashy little Indian driver from Wichita, came in a disappointing third.

          Several thousand spectators witnessed the event, the proceeds of which went to charity under the promotion of Grant Gribble.  Referees were J. C. Larson and Roy Hume; starter, George Bronke; timers, Russell Hill and Bryan Gribble; judges, Art Hill, Art Sneller, and Mayland Force.

 

 

To see results of these motorcycle races.

 

To go to the Arkansas City Speedway a.k.a. West Madison Speedway home page.

 

To go to the History of Motorcycle Racing at the Cowley County Fairgrounds, Winfield, KS homepage.

 

For Links to other interesting web sites.