Welcome to 2 WHEEL THUNDER

For those who visited our former 2 WHEEL THUNDER website, we now present to you the new effort in dedication to the Bay Area Flat-Track racing scene of the 1940's and 50's, the Golden Age of Flat Track Racing. We will be highlighting many famous racers and their machines that capture the essence of vintage flat-track.

We will also be posting images that have been donated of unknown riders you may recognize and wish to identify for us. At the bottom of each post and rider page there is a space to Post A Comment and stories you would like to share with the visitors. We and they will be most appreciative to hear from you the fans of the sport.

Be sure to also click the *** FAN PAGE *** to post or read what this flat-track community is talking about.

Please spread the word and check back often as this site is continually being updated with many photographs and stories of this great American motor sport.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the ride.

The great Belmont Track!

Eric Johnson,

2 WHEEL THUNDER

Full Throttle, Turn Left!

Dick McAfee's Triumph Hero

In his retirement, DICK McAFEE no.88 and I became email buddies through which he would reply with hand written letters back to me via email. He favored this to a keyboard and would ask his wife Ramona to scan and email them to me. Before he passed on, he shared with me many stories of the "San Jose Flat Track Gang" that are legendary. This is one of those letters that describes his hero on a Triumph, a racer who was my dads close friend. I really miss those precious times opening up a new surprise letter from Dick. He is missed. I hope you enjoy some insightful words from one of flat-tracks great men of the sport, and a darn great racer as well!

March, 2005

Eric,

Tell your dad Cancilla was my inspiration when I started riding in '48. At that time he was the best Triumph rider in district 36, and he was one of only 3 or 4 Triumph riders there was. I was impressed with that little 500 cc Speed Twin competing and winning against 1000 cc 74 OHV Harley's!!! He was and still is my Triumph hero.

In these days due to competition committee members dominated by Harley dealers, that's what Phillie had to deal with in TT racing.

Of course in flat-track we Triumph riders had to compete with 650 cc Harley's which although the Triumphs could hold their own on short tracks, but could not on a regular basis compete with them on 1/2 and miles. Later on in Hugh's time as Triumph mechanics became more knowledgeable how to build them, Hugh could not only compete, but beat the Harley's at times.

Dick McAfee #88

Image courtesy McAfee collection 2005