Clara Marian Wagner (11 November 1891 – 30 December 1961) was one of the first documented woman motorcyclists, who became notable as an endurance racer and was sponsored by the Eclipse Machine Co., a bicycle company, for using its braking products. Wagner 4 pk 1911

In 1907, Wagner, 15 years old and the daughter of the

Wagner Motorcycle Company The Wagner Motorcycle Company (1901–1914) was established in Saint Paul, Minnesota, by George Wagner as an offshoot of the former Wagner Bicycle Company. It produced approximately 8,500 Wagner motorcycles and was one of the first manufacturers ...

(1901-1914 ) owner George Wagner from

Saint Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota, Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississip ...

, became a member of the

American Federation of Motorcyclists The American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) is the oldest motorcycle road racing club in the United States. The AFM was founded in 1954 in part bJohn McLaughlin a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. It is a regional racing sanctioning ...

(FAM). Clara Wagner put the company's motorcycles on the map by achieving a perfect score in a FAM 360 mile endurance race from Chicago to Indianapolis in 1910, aged 18, but was denied the trophy because she was female. She won several such events. At the time, Wagner was celebrated on a series of postcards as "The most successful and experienced lady motorcyclist" and rode one of the first motorcycles designed specifically for women.''The American Motorcycle Girls: 1900 to 1950. A Photographic History of Early Women Motorcyclists''. Cristine Sommer Simmons, Karen Davidson. Parker House, 15 April 2009

References

Women motorcyclists 1891 births 1961 deaths {{US-sport-bio-stub hola