Dick Hammer
1939 - 2003
By David Swarts
Former racer Dick Hammer died from cancer
Thursday,
January 16 at his home in San Clemente, California.
He was 64.
Hammer started his racing career on the dirt
tracks
of Southern California before turning Pro in 1961.
In 1962, Hammer won his one and only Grand National
dirt track event, taking the TT race win at Peoria
on a Harley-Davidson. Hammer also road raced and won
the International Lightweight 100K on an
Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson in 1963 and 1964.
Most fans, however, will remember Hammer for the
1967
Daytona 200. In that race, Hammer was battling for
the lead with his factory Triumph teammate Gary
Nixon
when a crew member's rag got sucked into one
of his carburetors during a pit stop. Hammer was
able
to pull the rag free and put his head down to make
up time to Nixon. In his charge, Hammer fell,
breaking
his collarbone, but Hammer picked his Triumph
back up and continued to finish seventh in the race.
Hammer retired from professional racing in 1972
and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 2000.
Copyright 2003, RoadracingWorldPublishingInc.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Former National # 16 and hall of famer Dick
Hammer
passed away after a long courageous battle with Cancer.
Hammer was a Well Known Califoria Racer who gained
fame in the early 60's. He was an accomplished
DT, TT and Roadracer. He won the 1963 Daytona 100
on a 250 HD Sprint when 4 strokes were still winning
Roadraces before the 2-stroke on slaught. Dick grew
up with fellow Californian Skip Vanleewen and
both went on to very successful Racing Careers as
well as staying close Friends. He will be Missed by Many....
GOD SPEED RICHARD HAMMER
Steve Matz
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dick was a racers racer. He had that "never quit"
attitude,
and was a prince of a guy.
Even in the bad times, he kept a positive attitude
all through his battle with cancer...and was
at his best when he interviewed the people going
into
the Trailblazers Hall of Fame last year at their
annual banquet. For those of us who knew him and
raced
against him...he will never be forgotten.
God Speed, "Hammerdick". We'll miss you.
Digger
AMA
Hall of Fame Member Dick Hammer
From the Hilltoppers MC Club site
Dick Hammer #139 and Jim Goldsmith #216 at Prado Dam
or DeAnza 1959
Hi Dennis....The photo of Dick Hammer and Jim
Goldsmith
In the Dick Hammer
memorial section was taken at De Anza Park in
Riverside
Ca....
I have a copy of the shot.. I was there... #80...
On a Triumph, I think......
I enjoy your website...Danny O'Reilly #80...
Carlsbad,
Ca.
I received the the above
information
via email May 23, 2003 Dennis VFT
Added September 21, 2014
From the Parts Mag Site - Del Mar 2000
In the VIP Lounge, emcee Don Emde (left) with
Skip
Van Leeuwen
explain to the audience details of the new Dick
Hammer
Perpetual Trophy,
an award conceived and sponsored by Van Leeuwen,
K&N
and Jim Fueling
Products. Also seen is K&N's Tom Cates, Jim
Fueling
and, on the right,
Dick Hammer, for who the award is named. Starting
next year, an American
motorcycle racer will be the recipient of the award,
based on
demonstrating values carried by Hammer in his racing
days, such as
Desire, Determination and Dedication.
TRAILBLAZERS
BANQUET
58th Annual -
February
23, 2002
Don Emde, Joe Leonard, Dick Hammer and Bob Bagnall
West Coast Flat Track Series
Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, CA
June 29th, 2002
Trailblazers Lap of Legends
#64R Jody Nicolas -
#16 Dick Hammer - #59 Skip Van Leewuen
Man in white shirt talking to Dick Hammer is Danny
Macias
He was race manager Triumph/Built Racing Bikes for
Van Leewuen and Hammer
#20x Don Vesco - Sidecar Art
Aragon
- #15 Pieplate Ralph White
Perris Raceway - June 6, 1998
Chuck Palmgren - Dick Hammer - Shorty Seaborne
Del Mar Short Track
October 5, 2002
Hammer won his one and only Grand National dirt
track
event,
taking the 1962 TT race win at Peoria on a
Harley-Davidson
Here is what Larry Beall had to say about that
group...cool
insight from a guy who raced with these guys.
Ed - cfp@ntws.net
Front Row Left.....Eddie Mulder, Dick Hammer, Skip Van Leeuwen
Back Row.......Ralph White, Eddie Wirth
The following two photos are from 'American Racer' by Stephen Wright
Dick retired with mechanicals in the 1963 Daytona
200.
Bike at right is his 250cc class winner.
1963 Ascot TT
Left to right; AMA Official Lin Kuchler, 1st
place
George Roeder, Mrs Glenn Anderson, J.C.Agajanian,
2nd place Sammy Tanner, C.R.Axtell, 3rd place Dick
Hammer and Jerry Branch
1967 Daytona
Triumph teammates Dick Hammer and Gary Nixon lead
for
the first twenty plus laps.
On Dicks gas stop a rag was sucked into one of the
carbs and he dropped back until
he was able to remove it. Trying to catch up, he
lost
the front end in turn one,
and dropped the bike. He remounted and finished 7th
with a broken collar bone.
Below is a web site with a report on the 1967
Daytona
race.
unfortunately it is in language the neither google
or bablefish on translate.
http://www.angelfire.com/weird/classicracing/Motorcyklarna/Per/daytona67.htm