After the feature event was completed, he competed in a five-mile handicap race against five other riders. Among them was Ray Seymour, who held the world record. Hasha and Seymour were the only two riders to race without a handicap; the other four were given a one-lap handicap. Hasha held a slight lead at the end of the first lap.
While leading on the third lap, Hasha's motorcycle began to misfire badly. He reached his hand down to make an adjustment, and was overtaken by Seymour.
Hasha accelerated, picking up enough speed to close on Seymour. Traveling at 92 miles per hour, Hasha's motorcycle suddenly turned sharply into the rail surrounding the track. The bike rode the rail for around 100 feet, killing a boy who had put his head over the rail to watch the race. The machine then struck a large post and Hasha flew out of the racing area into the grandstands, and was killed instantly.
Hasha accelerated, picking up enough speed to close on Seymour. Traveling at 92 miles per hour, Hasha's motorcycle suddenly turned sharply into the rail surrounding the track. The bike rode the rail for around 100 feet, killing a boy who had put his head over the rail to watch the race. The machine then struck a large post and Hasha flew out of the racing area into the grandstands, and was killed instantly.
Three other boys and a young man were also killed. The now-riderless motorcycle dropped back onto the racing surface into the path of last place rider Johnny Albright.
The motorcycle hit the Denver rider in the shoulder and he slid down the track between the two machines. Albright died four hours later without regaining consciousness. Spectators panicked at the sight of a spinning motorcycle heading their way. Several people had broken bones and flesh wounds as they fought and trampled each other in the rush to get out of the way. It took over an hour to clear the grandstands.
Medics came from all parts of the city to attend to the injured and those who had fainted. Board tracks lost their popularity with the general public, due to the fatalities and media attention tarnished their reputation, sparking national outrage. By the early 1920's the board track races became unfashionable, crowd declined and board track racing came to an end.
Photo attribution: Motorcyclism
The motorcycle hit the Denver rider in the shoulder and he slid down the track between the two machines. Albright died four hours later without regaining consciousness. Spectators panicked at the sight of a spinning motorcycle heading their way. Several people had broken bones and flesh wounds as they fought and trampled each other in the rush to get out of the way. It took over an hour to clear the grandstands.
Medics came from all parts of the city to attend to the injured and those who had fainted. Board tracks lost their popularity with the general public, due to the fatalities and media attention tarnished their reputation, sparking national outrage. By the early 1920's the board track races became unfashionable, crowd declined and board track racing came to an end.
Photo attribution: Motorcyclism
