Motorcycle Hill Climbs
by Andrea Cassel
photo donated by Bruce Pyle
Special Newsletter Supplement - Friends of White Clay Creek State Park (FWCCSP RECORD, Vol. 9, No. 1, April 2006, p. 6)
In the 1930s there was the sound of motorcycles roaring up the steep slopes on either side of White Clay Creek north of Newark. These twice-yearly free events sponsored by local motorcycle clubs were action-packed contests that attracted crowds of up to 2,000 spectators.
The early climbs were held on what was recently the Krapf estate on the west side of the creek, south of Wedgewood Road. In 1934 there were five riders timed racing up the 200-foot hill and then back down. Prizes of $4 for the winner and $3 for second- and third-best times were provided after collecting donations from the crowd estimated at 1000. Cars were parked two abreast on Creek Road, testifying to the popularity of the event.
By 1936 the climbs moved to an area that then was called Blood Root Mountain on the east side of the White Clay Creek, a short distance up the creek from the second dam. Racers came from surrounding states and local clubs to challenge the 118-foot steep incline. Some climbs had as many as 25 contestants and were sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Club. Prize money, though still not very large, was now established before the races. The three timed heats were divided among different-sized cycles with a timer stationed at both the top and bottom of the hill.
A long-time White Clay Creek Valley resident, Eugene “Dick” Robinson was often among the 2,000 spectators and remembers the climbs vividly. He recalled that after the cyclist raced up the hill, he had to walk the bike back down on a series of steep switchbacks to the creek’s edge for another heat. Often, inexperienced riders would be going too fast down the path, and momentum would carry them right into the deep water of the creek. “Blub, blub, blub” was all one heard until the rider surfaced. The bike would be at the murky bottom. Eventually, the hill climb organizers paid four people with ropes to stand along the creek and serve as rescuers. Obviously there were also thrills and spills for the spectators. As riders raced up the hill that was considered one of the most difficult and challenging in the racing circuit, bikes flipped, throwing bikes and riders into the air. There was always the danger that the bikes would come down on the fallen racers.
A concluding highlight of these contests was the spectacular headlong rush of a cycle and rider crashing through a flaming fence. As described by Dick Robinson, about half-way up Blood Root Mountain there was a flat area. At one end a barricade fence was built by putting two 2x4s in the ground with a double solid fence of 1x6 pine planks placed between. The approximately 30-yard area was roped off, and spectators would ring the outside. One rider would be at the opposite end from the fence, revving his engine and drinking liquid sustenance that was not iced tea but would help build his courage. Finally the driver would turn the bottle over to show it was empty and signal he was ready; the fence would be doused with kerosene and set on fire. Black smoke billowed up from the fiery fence. The rider would come down the 30 yards lickety split. As he hit the fence, fire, wood, sparks, and smoke would fly everywhere. He would turn around and acknowledge the crowd and ride back victorious. Riders who performed this feat were often nicknamed “Crash” in the newspaper. One time Ewell ”Crash” Buckingham of Newark was reported to have said that he was a “leetle” nervous, but there was “nuthin” to it once he got moving. Another crowd favorite was Newarker “Wild Willie” Wooleyhan. He was a frequent champion and even traveled to many east coast states to compete.