Al Wilcox circa 1990. (Larry Lawrence photo)

It was with sadness I read the news from Joan and Roger Lyle today that longtime race starter Al Wilcox has died. He was 92.

Al was a fixture on the WERA circuit back when I covered WERA for Cycle News and American Roadracing. I, like everyone, enjoyed his riders’ meeting speeches. I used to do a mean impression of Al. He came up to me once, had heard about the impression and wanted to hear it. Mine was spiced up and a tad blue and I was reluctant to give it to him, but after some coaxing I did. Thankfully he roared with laughter and I was greatly relieved. After that anytime I’d walk by after the race and Al, standing talking with friends, would call me over, “Larry, do me, do that impression of me!”

This was in the late 1980s and early 90s, so Al was in his 70s at that point and he was really good at what he did. I always had a more secure feeling about riders’ safety when Al was running the flags.

Al knew I loved the history of the sport and he’d regale me with stories of racing Ed Kretz, Billy Huber, Babe Tancrede or Joe Weatherly. I think he enjoyed telling them as much as I enjoyed hearing them. Al raced AMA nationals across the country in the late 1940s and early ‘50s. He won a slew of regional races and his best result at a national was fifth in the prestigious road race at Laconia, N.H., in 1950.

Al gave me a great line about when he decided to retire from racing. “Used to when I came up on two or three riders coming into a turn, I’d keep the gas on and shoot up right past them. In the later years I noticed I’d come upon a group, shut off the gas and think, ‘Well, I’ll just get them next lap.’ That’s when I knew it was time to quit.”

It’s sad to think we’ll never hear all those famous Al-isms about his starting procedure from the man himself. “I’ve given you 99 percent of what I’m going to do out there. I reserve that one percent for myself.”

Rest in peace my friend.

Here’s more from Al’s good friend Roger Lyle on Al’s passing.

Al Wilcox, Rest In Peace.  January 4,1919 – February 3, 2011

Legendary Motorcycle Race Starter and former Harley-Davidson factory racer from 1948-1951, AMA National #49, AL Wilcox, 92, “The Trenton Flash” from New Jersey passed away February 3, 2011 at 8:30 am at Capital Health Center, just five blocks from his home that he lived in for 82 years. Yesterday I spoke with Al over the phone and I explained his plaque that we are placing at the Daytona 200 monument on March 9. He seemed very pleased when I read it to him.

“Airborne Al” was a great man! His loving wife, Julia, had passed away 12 years ago, and Al managed to keep on starting WERA races and flagging for Motorcycle Xcitement. He lived for the days he was going to the racetrack to be with his friends. And the stories he would tell were the best.  In the last few years, Al’s brother Ralph, 87, has been coming to the track with Al.  Al was always first man on the track and last to come in. He has started and flagged thousands of races and racers from novices to world champions for the last 52 years. He has inspired so many racers, so many fans. What an amazing person and the wonderful stories about racing and the characters involved.   Funeral arrangements are being made now and  we will get back to you with that information.
A celebration of Al Wilcox’s life will happen on April 1 and 2 at Summit Point Raceway. If you have any photos or videos of Al you would like to share for the celebration, please call Roger Lyle at 301-933-2599   God Bless Al Wilcox, You are the MAN! Your life sure was a great race, Al. You will always be in our hearts. This checkered flag is for Al Wilcox. Race on to heaven.

Joan and Roger Lyle
www.MotorcycleXcitement.com