Albert 'Shrimp' Burns : A Brief Biography of the Board Track Racing Pioneer

Today we're looking at the history of one of the first pioneers of motorcycle racing, Albert 'Shrimp' Burns. Burns lived fast and raced for Harley Davidson's 'Wrecking Crew' race team before making the move over to Indian Motorcycles. Over his short but explosive career, he won on board tracks and flat tracks across the United States in the early 20th century.
In this short documentary, we explore his life, career and tragic death.

[@davidtoews1397]

Roger de Coster. I use cheer him on as I watch motocross in 1970/80 races. After my Dad gave a 185 Suzuki for my 15th birthday I wanted to race just like him! My skills were less than stellar, but I rode on bikes in woods and on street until my Stroke stopped me at age 47. Keep the great motorcycle history lessons come. I really enjoy them! By-the-way, my wife told me to go buy myself scooter about 10 years after my stroke, so now have 50cc one. I ride all over town and the next town here in Kansas!

[@davidtoews1397]

@Derek Morton Thank you, sir. I will keep on watching you show. I like the "Cub" stuff!

[@billmoran3219]

Having grown up and still living in NorCal and a motorcyclist I thank you for the history lesson. Most people don’t know of the rich history of the Bay Area they only come here for the weather. Keep’em coming 👍

[@5497766]

THAT WAS AN AWESOME TRIBUTE TO SHRIMP BURNS !

[@stevenhodgkinson7462]

The one the only Joey Dunlop, great video 👍

[@caesarillion]

My mom born Dec. 16, 1919 was from Oakland Calif, home of Shrimp Burns and my Grandaddy too loved racing, I was told. Perhaps this explains why, when I first encountered motorcycles in my youth she was so strongly against it.

[@rickintexas1584]

What a wonderful presentation of a fantastic person. Many thanks.

[@timothycormier3494]

I’ve never even heard of Albert “shrimp” burnes. But now I have and his story has been told once again. This mans life is a story well worth passing on. Thanks for sharing this story.

[@fvgc454ss]

Watch Harley and the Davidsons. Its a tv series about the early years of HD. Burns character is in it.

[@davenaga6101]

This man,these board track racers,the speeds,50 n 100 laps,the tragic ending.what a time to live in calif.having raced friday nite half miles at ascot park in th 70s was suprised hear they were racing there n the 20s.ascot was a deadly quick place.this video left me awestruck for many reasons.

[@keithretzler9992]

I'd love to see a brief history of Gary Nixon.

[@reecehaydenmaks]

Evil Kanivil has got to be a good story line with all the things/stunts he tried over his lifetime. Great video, these guys on the board tracks were extremely tough. Riding a motorcycle on a high banked track must have been one wild ride. Thank You Sir for your exceptional content.

[@rb9998]

Great bit of history. Thank you!

[@johntucker469]

another great Story,,you tell it best,,,,thanks

[@waynejones205]

FANTASTIC! I was on a bike once in my life, riding in circles.....wish I'd made more an effort to have that Harley Softail or the resurrected Indian. I just read where BT Racing was Banned in 1920, mostly because of the crash at Newark in 1912 that killed Eddie Hasha, Johnny Albright and four spectators. This same article ADDED two bikers to the list.

[@e.mcneil8756]

Quite Good! "Now then, you've been told.... on yer bike." (spoken with total sincerity and authority!)

[@adampalmer5399]

I love these videos, they do a terrific job of giving facts & great footage of the day! #TopNotch #RideYerBike

[@jeffkear8790]

Any chance of a bio on Bill Ivy? Cheer's, and thanks for the excellent history lesson's.

[@lunardawnimages6838]

Really great channel!!

[@TheSimba1960]

How about an episode on Barry Sheene - the magic N°7 - I knew him, was a sometime drinking buddy at The Half Moon in Charlwood where he had the manor. Cheers

[@53jed]

That eulogy should fit any competitor.

[@jonpage4029]

Awesome job

[@garyshaw3112]

That is so cool. I being a motorcycle racer to share a month and date of birth of a great motorcycle racer is so cool

[@grahamkilpatrick4862]

Great video. Who would be on my list. Scotty Parker.

[@samhavvkins730]

Great lesson, thanks, as always.. I´d ad, my favourite wizzard O´Donovan, Pat Driscoll, Bennet, Woods.. Ok, I´m a bit of a Norton fan :)

[@stephenhensley7004]

Great video sir. Many thanks.

[@momz6569]

Kenny Roberts, Craig Vetter, and Bubba Schobert

[@stevensmith1718]

That was soooooooj good. Thanks mate👌

[@debbiepugh2055]

Another great show really enjoying the history episodes what about the Torres family? 7 in the globe of death at once 🤷‍♀️💖

[@gregjarvis3288]

Great vids keep em coming. Seems like a lot of other folks like them to.

[@TheHistoryEngine]

Thanks Greg! Hope you're well. We've plenty more on the way ;)

[@marynourish1884]

Graham walker, Stanley Woods, Jarno Sarrinen, Freddie Dixon, any one of those would be great, thanks

[@pauliebots]

Have you covered the one and only Burt Monroe?

[@josephkerkau2520]

Please do one on the Indian History thank you.

[@alpatriot6227]

Very good!

[@ronaldcolman6211]

How about something on Britten?

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

When it comes to more modern legends, it would have to be Agostini, Rossi, Marquez, McGuinness, and the Dunlops.

[@4imazupi]

Have that bike builder you used to do videos with send you something and post it.

[@servicarrider]

You can't wear out an Indian Scout, or its brother the Indian Chief. They're built like rocks to stand hard knocks, it's the Harleys that cause the grief.

[@dukecraig2402]

Yea, that's why Indian went out of business. The fact is Indian's never had drive trains as tough as Harley's did, compared to Harley's their transmissions were fragile, that was their single biggest downfall.

[@servicarrider]

@@dukecraig2402 That didn't take long to catch a sucker.

[@0lddragracer426]

The one...and the only...Joe Leonard.

[@Walt_G]

a bit more modern, but how about a video on John Britten.

[@jerrylagesse9046]

Scotty Parker comes ta mind . As does Jay “the Springer” Springsteen

[@flathead1930]

Rickie Graham

[@cetate93]

I think T.E. Lawrence would be a good video.

[@rickmarquart3277]

John Penton, would be a great video.👍🏼🇺🇸

[@FunAllDayLong4353]

He used to work in our local chip shop (allegedly)....

[@khaccanhle1930]

Why not do a video about the history of Indian motorcycles? It's not as well covered like Harley is.

[@ridged8]

Eddie Castrol!

[@peteranddorothybowles5428]

G WHILKS speedway Wembly 40 s

[@lanceneuman9528]

Or is that Rayborn?

[@slavetospeed]

👍👍

[@jfu5222]

Jim Redman

[@onlythewise1]

great men shouldnt push there luck

[@highfive55]

✌️

[@birbeck87]

Are you finished nothing from you for a long time

[@TheHistoryEngine]

Hi Kirby, apologies for the delay in getting content out. Decided to take a little time out to get a few history scripts researched and written up so we can release content with a bit more regularity. Should be a new episode out in a week or so though

[@tommydemis9094]

Bill Harley

[@RustyShackleford66]

Never mind this crap, where have the videos of the turbo project gone? Nothing for months, now all the videos have disappeared. Weird.

[@roborob22rl]

what happened to alberts fiancee? anyone?

[@HazDaGeek]

Kenny Roberts, Roger DeCoster

[@YTjndallas]

Sorry, but by far the raunchiest looking beard I’ve ever seen.

[@fastinradfordable]

I dare you to say that to his face.

[@gonietubenyc5741]

We need to get that beard fixed and cut better

[@thegodhoward8037]

Indian motorcycle is better

[@simonjackson7269]

Barry Sheene and or Guy Martin would make good videos

[@davidhaworth7152]

There’s nothing good about that rats nest cmon now.

[@kevinbutler3385]

Another fantastic history lesson keep them coming 👍🏻

[@mustie1]

better to have lived a short one doing what you love then to live long hating the journey.

[@k1ckyscotland988]

Glad you could understand our Scottish accent.

[@fonziebulldog5786]

All days are gone by the time but his history are obviously still remembered and these days on KZbin. 😊

[@lanceneuman9528]

It's got to be Cal Rayburn

[@rodf73]

Hello, I live in Oakland California, I'm 47 been riding BMX since I was 10...and a motorcyclist since I was 25. I LOVE THIS STORY! Thank you...

[@terencebernard2337]

Enjoyed that very much thanks for your all your effort to make this appreciated.

[@dsolin]

Cyril Neveu, Hubert Auriol, Gaston Rahier and The Missenden Flyer :-D

[@williamb.9110]

Thank-you! I always love your motorcycle history lessons. Keep up the good work!

[@stevematz7354]

Jim Davis, Another Top Racer of that era who unlike most of the top Board Track/Dirt Track Racers of the day were either killed or suffered Career ending injuries on the dangerous Board Tracks across the USA. Davis retired without any serious injuries and lived to be 103yrs old. He has a Plaque at the Daytona International Speedway and is also an inductee in the AMA Hall of Fame,,,Iconic Racer and Gentlemen R.I.P Jim Davis [Great Video honoring Albert "Shrimp" Burns R.I.P. ]

[@jonfranklin8003]

Those sideburns are amazing,,,..

[@TheNextGoogification]

That has to be the most dangerous aspect of motor racing, some yo-yo running into you from behind. Which is thereason why I would never do that. Also when I'm riding my bicycle or out walking, I never give an idiot a chance to do that

[@gustavganserpelofswanlake]

Yvette Kim earlier asked for the first riders ever to reach the top of pikes peak, the story of the first Ladies to rallye the US from East to West on two Indian motorcycles: the Van Buren sisters. That could be nice.

[@dennisschell5543]

Is that a limey beard?!? 🤔

[@rogertinker1813]

I've been a motorcycle fan and rider for 40 years . With your videos I'm gaining some excellent information about the early days thank YOU

[@chrismorris5608]

I found this of great interest, thank you very much for taking the time to talk about this great motorcycle board track racer.

[@richardteske3487]

I am the caretaker of the original photo of the bikes going into the turn where Burns lost his life. Great video and thank you for sharing.

[@glaicogobbo4046]

We can see that money doesn't always rule everything. Starting in England, like Valentine Page, Edwar Turner, Bert Hopwood and many others who, in their creative nature, never appeared in the light of the world.

[@johnsimonds5989]

I would like to nominate flat track racer Jay "Springer" " The Gunslinger" Springsteen for a bio

[@p.m3735]

Another great video excellent 😎

[@yvettekim3518]

Any iconic women riders would be great! Thanks!

[@DR_Neal_Rigger]

Ronnie Yamamoto .. the champion who couldn't be bothered ..

[@stevepest3184]

How come u don’t film with other guy now

[@michaelgrubbs1618]

My list, Ricky Carmichael

[@MyDyerMaker]

I wish the Indian Co hadn't gone under.

[@jerradcampbell74]

My grandfather Whitfield Percy Campbell. He raced flat track Harleys in the late forties through the early 50s. There's video of him scrambling on all fours to his bike on the beaches of Daytona in 1948. He is and always will be my motorcycle racing hero. Many thanks to you Paul for all you do and keep up the good work.

[@Paintedbynurgle]

well will the builds be back?

[@stinkingfishguitars1362]

Robert Edison Fulton who rode around the world in 1932 on a little Douglas motorbike.. Even if you don't do it read his book One Man Caravan which he tells the story and even though it's incredibly hard to come by he was actually a fanatic amateur cameraman and filmed the journey and that was released under the title Twice Upon a Caravan.. Here's an extract... kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZeVkpaHabGEgas

[@worldwar2lucky961]

I raced Wednesday night moto cross at ascot park, 82 to does anyone remember that big jump in front of the grand stands??flat trackers took that at TOP SPEED. But not us in the intermediate class. TOO SCARY 😁😁😁😆😆😆😆

[@stratocaster1greg]

At 12 my brother gave me a mini bike with a 3 horse Clinton which I wore out in short order. So to the public swimming pool to liberate the 3 1/2 horse Briggs off the water pump there. The old man at the lawnmower shop traded me cranks as mine was threaded for the impellar. I under his supervision swapped cranks and was back on the road. I rode that thing over hell and half of Oklahoma.

[@motopatisserie2398]

Love it!

[@billlowe6883]

The "Shrimp" was going to quit after the last race Sept. 1921 in Syracuse, N.Y. USA.

[@shanemiller7697]

What an interesting video.Thank you

[@Cicero75BC]

How about the one most consider the greatest racer of all time...Agostini!

[@evil_musclemuscled3814]

Thank you on yer bike , I never knew this . Rips Mr Albert shrimp bones

[@OldMucker]

Really enjoyed that thanks for sharing mate

[@slayer04031974]

Well done story!! Thank you!! 💪

[@petermorrison680]

Peter Grant of the 70 s I think

[@therealslimshady4555]

Wow brilliant 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@taznivolare1896]

Man you look cool 👍