With a declining
motorcycle market throughout the 1920s and the beginning of the Great Depression
in 1929, the glory days of factory racing came to an end. By 1932 there were
only two American factories left, and they were more concerned about survival
than with winning races. The motorcycle industry desperately needed ideas that
would directly drive sales of standard motorcycles, and just such an idea
emerged through a new racing program known as "Class C," implemented
by the AMA in 1932. Class C rules provided that only motorcycles built in serial
production for normal highway use could be used in championship competition.
Though
controversial at the outset, Class C proved to be what the industry needed,
providing an opportunity for "Everyman" to make it to the winner's
circle. As a result, thousands of young people began to race their motorcycles,
and a new kind of working class hero emerged, often supported by the very dealer
from which he bought his motorcycle. Riders like Ben
Campanale, Babe
Tancrede(above), and Jimmy
Chann found their future in racing. Though the factories remained
involved, they often channeled their technical support through dealers and local
tuners.
With a declining
motorcycle market throughout the 1920s and the beginning of the Great Depression
in 1929, the glory days of factory racing came to an end. By 1932 there were
only two American factories left, and they were more concerned about survival
than with winning races. The motorcycle industry desperately needed ideas that
would directly drive sales of standard motorcycles, and just such an idea
emerged through a new racing program known as "Class C," implemented
by the AMA in 1932. Class C rules provided that only motorcycles built in serial
production for normal highway use could be used in championship competition.