Hicksville Labor Day Drill in '70's

[911pix]

I've heard a couple of stories about a particular drill in Hicksville on Labor Day, sometime in the '70's, where the drill was ended/cancelled/whatever due to a brawl that broke out between spectators and a motorcycle gang that happened to be in attendence...can anyone tell me what year that was? Thanks -

Mike

[HydroJr]

i vaigly recall that drill, what I do know is that is was not held at its current location, and brawls happend on more than one occaision. That drill always drew plenty of police presence. The last brawl I recall was back i the 80's.

[911pix]

Yeah, I do recall someone mentioning that it was held at what is now a Sears shopping center?

[bangtail2007]

The big brawl with the M/C gang was in 1982. it was held in an industrial park off bethpage rd. It was wild police ,fire and fans against bikers. Bottles punches and other thing thrown. Including a few bikers and cops. It really sucked because Elmont was winning that drill when it was cancelled.

Pete (bangtail 2007's Dad)

[911pix]

So - Labor Day, 1982, 10-4?

[Dan Laverty]

I was at that tournament, I was 12 at the time. I do not believe it was a MC gang as most people will say. You know as the years go on the story changes. I believe it was just a bunch of bikers who were just being bikers, someone complained to someone about them. The bikers were asked to leave and refused, the tournament was stopped until the situation was resolved. Someone threw a beer bottle onto the course. I was told to ask ***** & ****** from Westbury. One of them told bikers "I will kick all your asses-One at a time-One at a time".

Bikers ended up leaving and went to a diner and got surrounded by the cops.

[911pix]

I do not believe it was a MC gang as most people will say. You know as the years go on the story changes.

Precisely why I want to find out what date this was. If the event was of any significance at all, there would be a story in the local paper(s) the next day, which (ostensibly) should have the facts of what actually happened!

[Dan Laverty]

Mike,

It happened, it is over and the sport moved on from it. I do not even think it warrants room in your book. That space could be better used to tell a racing story. Like when a certain hydrantman got off so hot in C-Hose, he was running next to the truck and actually hit is head on the front tire. Use that page to tell stories about teams hitting the hydrant with their trucks or hitting the arch. Use that page to remember all the great racing men who are no longer with us.

[unclekevie]

That has to be one of the best statements to ever come across this message board. I agree that the pages of the book would be better suited for good racing stories. I hope Mike listens to the suggestion of 8675309. BRAVO!!!!!

[911pix]

I hope to have plenty of racing stories in the book - don't worry.

There's a reason for asking about Hicksville. In the book, there's going to be a "thread" of sorts that talks about how the sport overcomes adversity - in this case, a brawl - and perseveres over time, despite the public's - and media's - attempts to paint firemen as nothing but drunken, irresponsible rowdies. Like 8675309 said:

It happened, it is over and the sport moved on from it.

...exactly what I want to illustrate. I just want to get the facts right when I talk about it.

Mike

[bangtail2007]

Maybe my word gang was wrong... a large group of bikers. A bottle thrown did start the incident. Yes there was a fight... and it was in 1982. I was in the middle of it. This is not however something that should be remembered when talking about racing. That foolishness wrecked a great day for some teams.

[limphose]

Hempstead in the sixties. People jumped over the fence at the last minute and layed on the track during, I believe Wilbur's run. Want to talk about grabbing up all the kids and throwing them in the "Country Squire wagon", Dad yelling at Mom to get us the hell out of there... That was some scary Sh#t....

[twabster]

8675309 said:

Mike,
Like when a certain hydrantman got off so hot in C-Hose, he was running next to the truck and actually hit is head on the front tire.

I remember that shot by the Flukes, at the '86 states in Syracuse. I photographed it half a sec before he hit his head on the front tire. It happened so quick, and from far down the track, it almost appeared he nearly got his head run over.

[911pix]

I photographed it half a sec before he hit his head on the front tire.

...do you still have that photo?

[LUNCHBOX]

I remember that drill. Like Bangtail2007 said it was held on one of the streets in an industrial park off of New South Road. The lines and patch are still on the street today. I was there with my father who was driving for Roslyn at the time. He also told me that Billy Joel was there that day on his motorcycle. Just another interesting tidbit about that drill.