1971 Elks Stunt Team Huntington Park CA - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1971 Elks Stunt Team Huntington Park CA - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
Every motorcycle club has its
specialty. Some go touring, others
go trail riding. Among the countless
competition clubs, there are those that
concentrate on road racing, trials, enduros
or hare-and-hound events. Also among
the nation’s thousands of road riding
clubs and competition clubs are found
a few examples of a rare and unusual
type of organization—the motorcycle
stunt team.
It’s not difficult to understand why
stunt teams are rare. Aside from the
danger involved in performing spectacular
stunts, being a drill team member is so
time-consuming that it’s almost a full-
time job. The Huntington Park (Califor-
nia) Elks Motorcycle Stunt and Drill
Team, for example, gives as many as 50
performances each year, often two or
three in a single day.
In addition to the time involved, being
a stunt team member is expensive. Each
member is required to buy and maintain
his motorcycle and uniform out of his
own pocket. It’s not unusual for a team
rider to have nearly three-thousand dollars
invested in his motorcycle and uniform.
Counting travel expenses, meals and motel
bills, and out-of-town performance can
cost each member fifty dollars or more.
Their only reward is the applause of the
audience as they perform at road runs,
parades, and charity events.
The Elks Motor Corps, one of the
nation’s most outstanding motorcycle
stunt teams, was founded in 1952 to
create interest in the Order of Elks, and
to present motorcycling in a good light
to the public. Membership has varied
over the years, at one time dropping to
just a few men, but the usual roster
lists about 20 members. A wide variety
of ages and occupations are represented
among the Corps members. The oldest
member is over 60 and the youngest in
under 25. Occupations include truck
drivers, a jeweler, machinist, welder, sales-
man, engineer, receiving clerk, carpenter,
and contractor. Several members have
highly colorful side lines. One is a motor-
cycle stunt rider who performs at South-
ern California drag strips. Another per-
forms at air shows around the western
states. His act includes a motorcycle-to-
plane transfer.
The chairman of the team serves as
the fund raiser, publicity man and liaison
man between the Motor Corps and the
public. So popular is the team that the
Chairman has a full-time job arranging
appearances. The Elks are willing to
perform for charity at any time, and
the offer has plenty of takers. The Motor
Corps appears in about 35 parades each
year. Names of the places where they
perform reads like a list of all the towns
and cities in Southern California. As well...
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