Daytona 1953

I finally broke down and bought a May 1953 issue of CYCLE. I've been looking for one as I wondered if it might have some coverage of Seattle area racer Red Farwell's tragic crash.

Red's crash was covered. The makes it sound as if more neglect may have been involved than I imagined. What a shame. I'd still like to make the trip down to Puyallup sometime to visit his grave.

Cliff "Red" Farwell's broken AJS twin came to rest in the beach foliage along the backstretch after a spectator strolled into him. Both were killed

The extent to which the author is willing to editorialize is a little shocking by today's standards. I read somewhere else that Farwell was leading the race at the time of the crash though this article does not mention it. Red finished 2nd at Daytona in 1952.

Paul Goldsmith - 1953 Daytona Race Winner

  Paul Goldsmith was the ultimate winner. The article photo of Goldsmith suggests it may have been a somewhat somber finish. The story does mention some amazement that Goldsmith had such a good finish on a Harley K, particularly having worked his way up from the back of the pack in the last few laps. The following are some additional photos from the 1953 Daytona pictorial.

Ed Kretz Sr  held race winner Paul Goldsmith at bay for over half the race

Kretz left the race with a clutch failure. Beautiful bike...

 

Triumph jockey looses twin

Trevor Deeley, BSA; Kelly Myers, Triumph, drag it out on the sand

Winning Amateur, Nick Nicholson

Mary Kulum owns the fancy Tiger

Goldsmith and the HD Crew on KRTT's

Norton Crew was there in full force