Former AMA National #49 racer, “Airborne Al” Wilcox of Trenton, New Jersey, born on January 4, 1919, celebrates his 91st birthday today. Al started riding motorcycles at 18 and quickly became known as one of Trenton’s most skilled riders. After serving in World War II, Al started his racing career at 27 years old. His very first race was on the old Daytona beach course. Out of 150 starters in the novice event, Wilcox finished third. He followed that up with another third place in the Laconia, New Hampshire race. His impressive rides at these two races caught the eye of Walter Davidson, of the Harley Davidson Motor Company. For the next four seasons, Al Wilcox had Harley Davidson factory support. To support his family, Al was a professional tractor trailer driver for 41 years. The weekends were for racing. When he was not racing, Al was an expert dancer on rollerskates. He also coached a girl’s softball team, “Al’s Gals,” for many years. Al Wilcox has been starting races with WERA since 1973 and is the official starter for Roger Lyle’s Motorcycle Xcitement Track Days and Racing School. In 2009, Al was the Grand Marshal at the AMA Dirt Track National Race at Hagerstown Speedway in Maryland. He is in the Speedway Hall of Fame and he is a nominee for the AMA Hall of Fame. Al is looking forward to his 51st season of starting motorcycle races. We are honored to have Al working with us!