Ralph White sitting on the No. 15 Hansen Matchless. He won two road race nationals and the Springfield Mile in 1965 riding for the team. No. 30 is Junior rider Robert Winters. Rob was the younger brother of off-road legend Leroy Winters. (Ralph White Collection)

Ralph White had a pretty good deal going as a factory Harley-Davidson rider in the early 1960s, but with four pro seasons under his belt and a burgeoning concrete business back home in L.A., White asked Harley to fly him to the nationals. Milwaukee turned him down.

Yamaha saw an opportunity and came to White’s rescue, offering to not only to fly him to the nationals, but also pay him $500 per race to run in the 250 class. With the 250 deal sealed, for the nationals White took an offer to ride Matchless for Bob Hansen’s team. The arrangement was White would split his purse at the nationals with Hansen.

The Matchless ride was found money for White and he turned out to have his best season. He won the Loudon National Road Race (having just moved from Laconia), the Indianola (Iowa) National Road Race and the Springfield Mile. It was a pretty good year for White and Hansen.

This is a photo of the Matchless team in 1965. No. 15 is White, but I’m not sure of the guys standing next to him in the photo. No. 30 is Robert Winters, who was Hansen’s rider in the junior class. If someone can ID the two gentlemen in the photo next to White please leave a comment below.

Here’s Ralph’s bio.