Quick Facts
Biography
Joe Petrali (February 22, 1904 - November 10, 1973) was a motorcycle racer, Joe Petrali also was known as “Smokin’ Joe" the title was more commonly used by his friends. He was considered as one of the country’s most exceptional racers from the mid-1920's-30's. Petrali was a class A racing stars who competed in board track racing, dirt track, speed records. Petrali won a marvellous 49 AMA national championship races on August 29, 1937, a result that was transcended 55 years later in 1992 when Scott Parker won his 50th AMA national.
Biography
Early life
Petrali’s affection for motorcycles began growing up in California as a child, he would watch the Class A racers of the 1910's, such as Don Johns and Balke also known as Charles “Fearless”. Balke wore leather pants and puttees while racing to keep his legs from burning. He later adopted the style and began to wear similar leather pants and puttees throughout his career.
At 14 gained his first national victory when he entered an economy run held at the California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento. He rode his $35 single cylinder Indian. He went 176 miles on a gallon of gas.[1] Petrali continued to participate more endurance runs for three more years. He participated in an endurance run that was recognised as a record, He entered a marathon event which took three days and four nights. After all the other riders dropped out, The race was considered as a tie between Petrali and his boss Archie Rife.
In 1937 over the sand of Daytona Beach, Florida, Joe set a world motorcycle speed record of 136.183 mph with an experimental streamlined 61 cubic inch OHV Harley. The clocking has never been topped on sand although the speed mark was better 11 years later.
Later life
in 1925 National Board Track Championship and in 1926 he two national using a Harley-Davidson. August 13, 927 Eddie Brinck was racing at Springfield, Massachusetts and his front tire blew out and hit Petrali causing him to be flung 15 feet into the air. Brinck suffered severe injuries and later died, Petrali also was impacted by injures but none as fatal as Brincks and Petrali only recovered a year later and began to start participating in events again but less frequently.
Petrali set his first land speed record on March 13, 1937 at Daytona Beach, reaching speed of 136.183 mph. Petrali held the record for 11 years on September 13, 1948 by Rollie Free who rode a Vincent HRD (Black Shadow or Black Lightning) to a speed of 150.313 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
Death
Petrali died on November 10, 1973 in Casa Grande, Arizona due to a heart attack while attending a economy run for Buik, In 1992 He was included into the Motorsports Hall of Fame and 14 years later he was included into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.