Just after Daytona Bike week, a day or two after Matt and I unloaded our finds from the Antique Motorcycle swap meet at Eustis, FL, I got a call from my good friend, and 14-time National Dirt Track Champion, George Wills.  He was in the area on his way back from Daytona, and let me know he'd be stopping by.

I've known George for decades, and over the years he and I have developed a great friendship.  Since George is from Manhattan, IL, he and I grew up knowing many of the same acquaintances, and were both inspired to get into old bikes by many of the same people. 

George has been racing for a long-time.  In the late 70s, he raced professionally, battling some of the best racers in the world on the AMA Grand National Dirt-Track Circuit.  But when he and his wife had twins, he decided to put racing on the back-burner to raise a family.  So that was the end of his racing days......for a while.

During his years of "retirement" from the dirt tracks, Wills managed to buy an old Harley racer -- a 1948 WR 750 -- off a famous Harley dealer named Harry Molenaar from Hammond, Indiana.  Having a passion for all motorcycles, George got the old WR running in tip-top shape and stored the machine at his home for years.  Then one day, he decided to take it out on the dirt-tracks just for fun.  It was a decision he wouldn't regret. 

Over the next decade, George would emerge as the premier vintage 1/2-miler in the country, and to date, has captured 14-consecutive National Championships on his WR-750.....the same one he bought from Harry over 20 years ago.  He's the man to beat at both the Davenport, IA Races in September,  and the Wauseon, OH races in July, as well as just about any other dirt track in the country.

Since George's return to racing, I've been proud to be one of his sponsors.  He's a first-class individual, who holds a passion for racing unparalleled by any of his competitors.  Over the years, I've done my best to help with parts and expenses, and am honored to call him my friend. 

When George came by the museum, we had a great time reminiscing, and must have spent hours roaming through all of the WR and KR racing parts in the restoration shop.  He even pulled out his three race bikes, and cranked them up so Matt and I could hear the sound of a National Championship motor.  Man, did those things run! 

So next time you're in Ohio in July, in Iowa in September, or anywhere else they're holding vintage dirt track racing events, be sure to keep your eye on the #1 plate.  Watching him ride will truly make you think twice about what these old machines are capable of, and the capabilities of a great guy that puts his mind into something he loves.