September 11th
Ed Kretz wins the 1938 200 mile Laconia Classic, New Hampshire, riding an Indian Scout.
Previously he had won the inaugural Daytona 200, in 1937, which became the most important motorcycle race in America. Kretz was inducted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
Ed "Iron Man" Kretz
Barry Sheene born in Holborn, London.
A larger than life character, Sheene began riding at the age of five on a 50cc Ducati which his father gave him and won his first races on his father Frank's Bultacos. He became enormously popular (particularly, it is said, with women), and won numerous GP World Championships.
In 1978 he was awarded the MBE, the Queen telling him at his investiture, "Now you be careful, young man.".
Barry Sheene
Rupert Hollaus of Austria dies after crashing his NSU in practice at the 1954 Nations Grand Prix at Monza.
During the 1954 season, riding a works NSU 125 Rennfox, he had won the first four rounds of the 125 class. He became the first posthumous Grand Prix motorcycle World Champion.
Rupert Hollaus