SCFTA Flat Tracker Allan Girdler passed away today. Allan was a regular at the Perris Short Track races riding his "Orange Blossom Special" framer 450 Honda. He was a motorhead of the first degree, being a motorsports reporter for many years for America's greatest enthusiast magazines, Cycle World and Road and Track. His wonderful books on Indians and Harleys are a testament to his enthusiasm for the brands and their racing history. Allan raced in several classes in So Cal Flat Track Assoc and we always watched him in the 70+ Class as he was competing against our, now gone bud, Jack Nealy (73 Years) on his 500 Triumph Single. I didn't realize Allan was in late 70s and then 80s! Allan obviously got the most out of life and what a life he had being deeply immersed in his beloved motorsports for his entire career. He will certainly be missed. God Speed, Allan.
Allan always had a way with words and he relayed stories with a first hand excitement. None more so than this Road and Track article on the final Trans Am race of 1970 when Parnelli Jones in the Factory Mustang got bunted off the track and out of the lead by a backmarker. Jones gathered himself up and got back on track and in typical Parnelli fury clawed his way back to the front and won the race and the championship. Typical Girdler prose, "When Parnelli Jones comes up from behind, women faint and strong men finish second, third and forth. A fantastic read of Allan's is the" Harley Indian Wars" which tells the incredible story of how Ed Kretz ended the real hateful division between the riders of the two brands. And it also details the racing history of both brands and the incredible battles between them.
Allan is now dead and gone but, his words and memory will live on forever.
