Ed Kretz Jr.

Ed Kretz, Jr. (May 3, 1932 – September 9, 2013),[1] was an American professional motorcycle racer in the 1950s and 1960s. He was the son of well known rider Ed Kretz. He was known primarily as a TT and roadracing specialist, but he also was a leading off-road rider in the 1950s.[2]

Early life

Kretz, Jr. was born in Pomona, California.[1][3] He grew up going to races with his father and worked in the family-owned motorcycle dealership in Monterey Park, California, from an early age. Kretz Jr. rode bikes as a child and began racing at the age of 16 on one of his father's Indian Scouts.[2]

Motorcycle racing career

Kretz Jr. raced in the 1950 Daytona amateur event, and led all but the final half mile of the 100-mile race, riding the same Indian on which his father won the Daytona 200 in 1937.[2] The bike's engine seized with half a mile to go on the Daytona beach course and he coasted and then pushed the bike to the checkered flag, ending up in 12th.[2] He then went on to win a 50-mile road race at the Santa Ana Naval Blimp Station, riding a Triumph.[2]

Kretz won the amateur portion of the 1950 Laconia (New Hampshire) Classic.[2] During his amateur racing career, Kretz wore the number 38, the same number that his father wore during his racing career.

By 1951, Kretz was a rookie expert and became national No. 33, and that year he finished third in the Peoria TT National.[2]

Kretz missed a few seasons of racing while serving in the Armed Forces in Europe.[2] He returned to full-time racing in 1955 and earned his only national victory in the Peoria TT in September of that year riding a Triumph and winning over eventual AMA Grand National Champion Brad Andres.[4]

As a pro during the 1956 season, he twice finished in the top-five at Peoria, and finished tied for sixth in the final AMA Grand National Championship standings.[2] He was again a top-10 rider in 1957 and earned one podium spot at Peoria.[5]

While not racing the national circuit, Kretz was a leading off-road rider.[2] Kretz Jr. was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.[6]

Personal life

By the early 1960s, Kretz and his wife, Elaine, had a daughter and he began to wind down his racing career. He continued to compete in West Coast off-road races, but retired from racing AMA nationals after the 1962 season.[2]

When his father retired, Kretz took over running the family's motorcycle dealership in Monterey Park, CA until he sold the dealership in 1985. [7][8]

September 9, 2013 Kretz died while riding a motorcycle near his home in Sedalia, CO after apparently suffering a heart attack, then swerving off the road .[9][10]

References
  1. R.I.P. Former Racer, AMA Hall Of Famer Ed Kretz,. Jr Roadracing World.
  2. AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame | Ed Kretz Jr
  3. "News & Events". Trail Blazers.
  4. American Motorcyclist Assoc (November 1955). "American Motorcyclist". American Motorcyclist: The Monthly Journal of the American Motorcyclist Association. American Motorcyclist Assoc: 18–. ISSN 0277-9358.
  5. " GODSPEED! ED KRETZ, JR. (1932-2013)"]. Motocross Action. September 9, 2013
  6. 2012 Sturgis Hall of Fame Inductees Announced | Motorcycle Mojo Magazine
  7. The Kretz Racing Legacy | Father & Son Ama Hall Of Famers | The Selvedge Yard. From “A Day at the Races” by S. Clayton Moore
  8. "Photograph of aerial view of Monterey Park". 1949.
  9. News of the world of motorcycling > Hall of Famer Ed Kretz Jr. passes
  10. "Ed Kretz and Son Memorial · 3891 Seminole Pl., Sedalia, CO 80135, US".
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