Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway opens with a motorcycle duel in the dirt, Harley-Davidson vs Indian.
They came to the Five Points West neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama to see the countries' leading professional racers compete on the one-mile dirt oval. The track featured a modern covered grandstand down the front stretch making Birmingham a popular spot with professional motorcycle racers from across the country. So popular that many would spend their winters there honing their racing skills.
The original one-mile dirt oval was built as a horse track. On October 7, 1906 the track hosted its first motorcycle race, followed by an automobile race three days later. Motorcycle racing continued at the Fairgrounds until just after World War I, when the focus shifted to both motorcycle and automobile racing. A 10,000 seat grandstand was built in 1925. The dirt track was shortened to a half-mile circuit in 1932 and the smaller configuration was used until July 4, 1942, when it closed for World War II. It was reopened on October 1, 1946, and began hosting weekly auto-racing events organized by promoter J. P. Rotton.
A quarter-mile dirt oval was added in 1958 and was the first track to be paved and then it was renamed Birmingham International Raceway. After one season of racing on the quarter-mile track the present five-eighths-mile course was constructed with its first race held on June 28, 1962. With new lighting the Sunday afternoon races were moved to Friday nights. Sadly, motorcycle racing was discontinued.
The site is now home to the Birmingham Crossplex, a natatorium and indoor track and field facility.
Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk
