Motorcycle Racing at Belknap 1950s
Motorcycle racing at the Belknap Mountain Recreation area in the 1950s. During the 50s, the resort rivaled Weirs Beach as a center of Motorcycle Week activity, with the races being a huge draw.
Another color postcard of the races in the late 1950’s. Note the large crowds lining both sides of the race course.
A photo of the race probably taken in 1946 or 1947.
Rounding the hairpin corner in 1940.
The August 1947 cover of the Enthusiast.
A black and white postcard from the early 1950’s of the race start
A photo of the 1941 race, the last race before WWII suspended racing for four seasons. From the July 1, 1944 wartime issue of the AMA news. The AMA continued to publish its newsletter during the War in order to maintain interest in the sport of Motorcycling.
Joe Leonard, who won the race in 1954, 1957, and in 1961, crosses the finish line, placing second in the 1959 race
A photo and brief bio of Joe Leonard from the 1955 official Motorcycle Week program.
Clyde Keeney. Just an average Joe, not in the record books.
Below, results from the 1950 race, which appeared in the August issue of the (Motorcycle) Enthusiast.
The 1955 race winner, Brad Andres, on the cover of the August issue of the Enthusiast.
Joe Leonard winning the 1957 race. Leonard is wearing #1 instead of his customary #98.
Amateur photos of the race scene in the 50’s
Dick Klamfoth won at Laconia 3 times – in 1949, 1951, and 1952. This plaque celebrates his 1952 victory, his 2nd consecutive at Laconia. Norton was a brand of British motorcycle sold at Indian dealerships in the US.
Joe Leonard won Laconia in 1957. Harley-Davidson advertising that he won on a Harley.
Brad Andres won Laconia in 1959. Once again Harley-Davidson advertised the winner rode a Harley.
National Motorcycle Race Laconia, N.H. Silk flag, date unknown.
