Source: MotorcyclistOnline.com
Flat-track racers a split second after the flag drops. Know where and when was this photo taken? Let us know in the comments. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Any idea who this vintage racer named Mike is? Or where he’s having all this fun? If so, let us know.A recent purchase of an abandoned Chicagoland storage locker turned up a trove of racing photographs from the 1970s and ‘80s. Early this year, a buyer who wishes to remain anonymous found 53 large- and small-format photographs of a racer named Mike who enjoyed flat-track racing, owned a red van, and liked roadracing as well. And he took a trip to Daytona at some point. Perhaps he owned or worked at a radio/electronics shop called “Radiotronics”?Mike looked like a fun guy. He had cool racing duds from Lancer Leathers, liked doing wheelies on pitbikes, and looked good on his Yamaha two-stroke tracker and roadrace bike. Judging by the number of van pictures, he also loved van life. And he knew who famous racer Don Vesco was, since he snapped a pic of his van.The buyer notes that items found in the storage unit indicate Mike having lived in Alabama, with family or friends possibly located in Chicago’s north suburbs. His race number was 117 and 217. Could it be AMA-sanctioned racing? The roadracing photos could be from the pits in Daytona, though it’s unclear. It seems he also rode a red Yamaha TD2 or TR2 with No. 373. It was a popular race setup in the ‘70s, with a trick swingarm and non-stock frame. You could buy a racing-prepped bike straight from the dealer.They’re a wonderful glimpse into someone’s past life. Before smartphones and ubiquitous cameras, photography took time, commitment, and care. Time has given the pictures a tint and hue that Instagram filters can’t replicate. Maybe one of our loyal Motorcyclist readers could shed some light on this minor mystery? Any info or helpful clues can be posted in the comments section.A man identified as Mike, sponsored by Competition Cycles, puts down power and a steel shoe around an unidentified dirt track, sometime in the 1970s or ’80s. (Anonymous/Unknown/)A proud portrait of Mike the mystery racer with leathers made by a company called Lancer Leathers, sometime in the 1970s or ’80s. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Mike the mystery racer (117) in the middle of a pack, track and date unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Either they’re working on their race face, or a track official is yelling at them. A riders’ meeting, track and date unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)An unidentified Yamaha racer holding court. An unidentified Yamaha dirt track bike and roadracer (possibly a TD2 or TR2?) awaiting a new rear tire, date and track unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)An unidentified track official at the start of an unidentified dirt track race, date unknown. Photo is sun- or water-damaged on the right side. Do you recognize anyone or anything about this picture? (Anonymous/Unknown/)Whoever took this photo was clearly jealous of this race van setup. Or perhaps he/she was lucky enough to own this Dodge Tradesman van? Van appears to be a 1977 or earlier model. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Another fabulous custom G-Series Chevrolet van, owned by Bauer Motorcycles in Vineland, New Jersey. Date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Mystery racer Mike’s No. 177 and 38 racebike and red van. Was No. 38 his bike, or just a fellow racer’s? Date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Mystery racer Mike’s No. 373 roadrace bike and red van. Note the proper stinger pipes and expansion chambers, along with non-stock swingarm and possibly frame. Date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Yamaha two-stroke twins were popular among amateur racers. Note the front drum brake, as opposed to disc found on later TR2 and TR3s. Fellow racer Brian Abbot’s No. 75 from Yamaha of Pacific Beach in the pits, date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Detail of the custom paint job on the Bauer Motorcycles van, date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Did Mike work or own this shop? Dig the Camaro and Toyota Corolla, possibly a 1980 model. Date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Mystery racer Mike aboard his No. 373 Yamaha racebike. Date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Fellow race fans and van life aficionados enjoy the sun and surf of Daytona, possibly. Date unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Fans and competitors enter Daytona International Raceway, date and event unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Chopper and big-block muscle cars holding court and cruising surfside, likely close to Daytona International Raceway, date unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Whoever took this photo was clearly impressed by FCS Chrome Motorcycle Parts. Date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)Mystery racer Mike showing off his wheelie skills on an unidentified pitbike of some sort. Date and location unknown. (Anonymous/Unknown/)
