Afternoon at the Museum

Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum
Open House

Story and Photos by Dennis Suter
CLOVIS, CA, MAY 15, 2011

The 20th annual Open House at the Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum was a success.

Even with the threat of rain, the 20th annual Open House at the Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum saw its largest turnout ever. Fortunately, the showers held off until about 2:15 p.m., and the crowd had plenty of warning, so by then the pop-ups were down and the show bikes loaded for their ride home.

West Rialto Street in Clovis, California, is closed for the day to accommodate the display bikes and parking for the streetbike riders.

One of the highlights of the event was the news from Trailblazers president Keith Mashburn that Rouit was invited to next year’s Trailblazers Banquet in April, to be inducted into the Trailblazers’ Hall of Fame. It was a very emotional moment for Dan, hearing that he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame that includes so many of his boyhood heroes.

(From left to right) Jim Odom, Judy Whitson, Tom Seymour, Digger Helm, Glen Pierce and Keith Mashburn present Dan Rouit (center, with Kathy) with an invitation to next year’s Trailblazers’ Awards Banquet to be inducted into the Trailblazers’ Hall of Fame.

Filmmaker and author Peter Starr presented Dan and Kathy Rouit with a copy of his new book Taking It To The Limit. Starr himself was also inducted into the Trailblazers’ Hall of Fame this year.

Peter Starr (right) autographs a copy of his new book “Taking It To The Limit” for Dan and Kathy.

Dave Hansen with the Triumph on which he won the 1974 Astrodome TT.

The outside display of bikes was down this year, but that was to be expected, as the forecast for rain was well known. Tom Hensley brought the Munro Special – “The World’s Fastest Indian” – again this year, and Glen Pierce displayed “The Harley Eater,” a twin-carbed, 1928 Indian Scout, which Sammy Pierce raced.

The “Harley Eater” – a 1928 “101”’ Indian Scout, built by Sammy Pierce of Pierce Motor Center in San Gabriel, California.

Note the Harley Eater’s two rear cylinders, to accommodate a twin-carb setup.

The large crowd of motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance enjoyed some good food, camaraderie, and the special items on display inside the world’s only exclusively flat-track and speedway racers’ museum.

For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.vft.org/rouit.html