1962 Motorcycle Racer Bart Markel - 1-Page Vintage Article

Description

1962 Motorcycle Racer Bart Markel - 1-Page Vintage Article
Original, vintage magazine article.
Page Size: Approx 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
BART MARKEL
National Number Four
SINCE taking over National Number
Four. Bart Markel is having his best
year as an expert rider. The Flint. Michi-
gan charger has some famous footsteps to
fill, as the previous wearer of the renown-
ed Four was Brad Andres, one of motor-
cycling's all-time greats who is now re-
tired. But this responsibility has only
seemed to whet Bart's appetite for wins;
he is the only rider to score more than
two national victories this season, having
wound up in the winner’s circle at Heidel-
berg, Columbus, Springfield and Peoria
... so far.
Bart’s career started off with a bang.
He began riding professionally in 1957 —
a year or so after he first rode a street
machine — and became top scoring novice
in the country that season with 222 points
as compared with 142 for his nearest
rival. 1958 found him grabbing a major
share of racing honors as he sped to 37
victories on flat tracks throughout the
eastern half of the states, giving him top
spot among amateur class riders in flat
track competition.
In 1959 Markel rode to a terrific second
at Springfield, look a fourth at St. Paul
and a fifth at Columbus for a total of 12
national points and a seventh overall in
his first expert year.
He compiled a total of 35 national
points in both 1960 and 1961. His first
championship win came at the last race of
the I960 season — the 80 cu. in. T.T.
national at Peoria. He had previously
taken seconds at both Columbus and
Schererville, Indiana and a third at Spring-
field. He also snatched second in the 45
cu. in. T.T. race to wind up the season in
third place nationally.
In 1961, Markers performance included
seconds at Watkins Glen (150-M.iler) and
Springfield (50-Miler), a third at Heidel-
berg, fifth at the Daytona 200-Milcr, and
victory in the 45 cu. in. Peoria T.T.. his
second National Championship. By the
end of the season he was moving with the
best of them, but Resweber had already
built a commanding lead and won the
point title with 62 points. Markel ranked
fourth, behind Resweber, Joe Leonard and
Dick Mann.
A two year veteran of Marine Corps
service. Markel has the will, the strength
and the talent to go all the way. It’s
obvious that he won’t be satisfied until the
coveted Number One plate is firmly se-
cured to his rapid Harley-Davidson. •
16586