Eddie Hasha
Encyclopedia
Eddie Hasha was an American
motorcycle racer on board tracks
early in the twentieth century. His death contributed to the demise of the board tracks. He was nicknamed the "Texas Cyclone" since he was from Waco, Texas
, USA.
motorcycle. In May 1911, Hasha attained a speed of 95 miles per hour (153 kilometres per hour) at the Playa del Rey, California motordrome, setting a record for the mile. In 1912, Hasha beat all of the established stars at the Los Angeles Coliseum Motordome
, and set professional records in the process. He then headed from the western United States to the east.
on September 8, 1912 in front of 5000 spectators. After the feature event was completed, he competed in a five-mile handicap race against five other riders. Among them was Ray Seymour, who held the world record. Hasha and Seymour were the only two riders to race without a handicap; the other four were given a one-lap handicap. Hasha held a slight lead at the end of the first lap. While leading on the third lap, Hasha's motorcycle began to misfire. He reached his hand down to make an adjustment, and was overtaken by Seymour. Hasha accelerated, picking up enough speed to close on Seymour. Traveling at 92 miles per hour (41.1 m/s), Hasha's motorcycle suddenly turned sharply into the rail surrounding the track. The bike rode the rail for around 100 feet (30.5 m) , killing a boy who had put his head over the rail to watch the race. The machine then struck a large post. Hasha flew out of the racing area into the grandstands, and was killed instantly. Three other boys and a young man were also killed. The now-riderless machine dropped back onto the racing surface into the path of last-place rider Johnny Albright. The motorcycle hit the Denver
rider in the shoulder and he slid down the track between the two machines. Albright died four hours later without regaining consciousness
. Spectators panicked at the sight of a spinning motorcycle heading their way. Several people had broken bones and flesh wounds as they fought and trampled each other in the rush to get out of the way. It took over an hour to clear the grandstands. Medics came from all parts of the city to attend to the injured and those who had faint
ed.
gladiatorial contests
. Short ¼ – ⅓ mile board tracks began to close after they were labeled "murderdromes" by the media.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
motorcycle racer on board tracks
Board track racing
Board track, or motordrome, racing was a type of motorsport popular in the United States between the second and third decades of the 20th century. Competition was conducted on oval race courses with surfaces composed of wooden planks...
early in the twentieth century. His death contributed to the demise of the board tracks. He was nicknamed the "Texas Cyclone" since he was from Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, USA.
Racing career
Hasha began racing on board tracks in 1911 at Denver. He rode an 8-valve IndianIndian (motorcycle)
Indian is an American brand of motorcycles. Indian motorcycles were manufactured from 1901 to 1953 by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, initially known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company but which was renamed the Indian Manufacturing Company in 1928. The Indian factory team took the...
motorcycle. In May 1911, Hasha attained a speed of 95 miles per hour (153 kilometres per hour) at the Playa del Rey, California motordrome, setting a record for the mile. In 1912, Hasha beat all of the established stars at the Los Angeles Coliseum Motordome
Los Angeles Coliseum Motordome
The Los Angeles Coliseum Motordome was a 1/3 mile long board track racing circle circuit in Los Angeles, California.-History:...
, and set professional records in the process. He then headed from the western United States to the east.
Death
Hasha competed at the New Jersey Motordrome in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
on September 8, 1912 in front of 5000 spectators. After the feature event was completed, he competed in a five-mile handicap race against five other riders. Among them was Ray Seymour, who held the world record. Hasha and Seymour were the only two riders to race without a handicap; the other four were given a one-lap handicap. Hasha held a slight lead at the end of the first lap. While leading on the third lap, Hasha's motorcycle began to misfire. He reached his hand down to make an adjustment, and was overtaken by Seymour. Hasha accelerated, picking up enough speed to close on Seymour. Traveling at 92 miles per hour (41.1 m/s), Hasha's motorcycle suddenly turned sharply into the rail surrounding the track. The bike rode the rail for around 100 feet (30.5 m) , killing a boy who had put his head over the rail to watch the race. The machine then struck a large post. Hasha flew out of the racing area into the grandstands, and was killed instantly. Three other boys and a young man were also killed. The now-riderless machine dropped back onto the racing surface into the path of last-place rider Johnny Albright. The motorcycle hit the Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
rider in the shoulder and he slid down the track between the two machines. Albright died four hours later without regaining consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
. Spectators panicked at the sight of a spinning motorcycle heading their way. Several people had broken bones and flesh wounds as they fought and trampled each other in the rush to get out of the way. It took over an hour to clear the grandstands. Medics came from all parts of the city to attend to the injured and those who had faint
Faint
Faint may refer to:* Syncope , a medical term for fainting* Faint , a song by Linkin Park* Feint, a maneuver designed to distract or mislead* Feint , a song by Epica* The Faint, a dance-punk/rock band....
ed.
Impact on board tracks
Hasha's death made the front page of the New York Times. Having opened earlier that year on July 4, the board track was shut down and never reopened. The deaths brought comparisons between board track racing and RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
gladiatorial contests
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
. Short ¼ – ⅓ mile board tracks began to close after they were labeled "murderdromes" by the media.