Sammy Tanner

SAMMY TANNER

National Number 7

ONE OF THE MOST spectacular and colorful riders ever to grace the professional racing scene is Texas born Sammy Tanner, familiarly known as “The Flying Flea.” Less well known is the fact that Sam crashed into a tree the first time he ever rode a motorcycle, a happening which might have deterred a lesser soul, but only served to spur him onward.

Beginning with field meets and scrambles, he progressed to his first Class C event in 1956 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he finished 2nd in his heat, the semi and the main event, and soon began to win feature races with regularity. Then as an amateur in 1957 he was 2nd in flattrack standings to fellow Texan Bud Mayes. In his first year of expert competition, Sam wound up as the nation’s high point dirt track rider after taking the Southwest Championship, the Birmingham State Fair Championship and finishing 2nd in the 25-Mile National at San Jose — then moved to California for the opening of the 1959 flattrack season at Ascot.

And what an unparalleled assault on the half-mile oval it was! Clad in white leathers and riding a groove, so high he had it all to himself, the 19-year-old Flea left long-time fans breathless and veteran competitors muttering to themselves as he swept the board week after week, first on BSA and then, just as victoriously, on Triumph. He won a total of ten main events, including the 8-Mile National which he took from last place, and again became the nation’s high point dirt track rider.

Since that time Tanner has been constantly in contention, twice winning the Pacific Coast title (’60 & ’61) and garnering his share of main event victories. Triumph mounted for Johnson Motors and tuner Joe Dudek until this season, he has switched to the C. R. Axtell-tuned BSA for 1963. Although knocking on the door in each race so far, Sam has yet to win a feature event, but should remedy that situation shortly.

Married to a beautiful girl named Linda and the father of two children, Laurie Ann and Jack Everett, Tanner at 23 years of age is not only an experienced and knowledgeable veteran, but proof positive that “dynamite comes in small packages.” •