September 2019 17
Here's a li le background on Mr. Leroy Winters, courtesy of the American Motorcycling Associa on:
Leroy Winters was the first rider to win the Jack Pine Enduro aboard a lightweight motorcycle. He did it
on a German-designed, Harley-Davidson-branded DKW 165. He modified the motorcycle for the gruel-
ing enduro and claimed victory in 1956.
Prior to Winters' triumph, the race, and off-road compe on in general, was dominated by heavy,
mul -cylinder bikes more suited for the high speeds of flat track or touring the countryside.
Although it would be another decade before the de would officially turn from the larger four-stroke
twins, Winters was one of the first riders to show that horsepower wasn't so important in the ghter
confines of enduro racing. Instead he, and others following him, would learn to capitalize on the quick-
er handling and lighter weight of smaller machines.
That was just the start of Winters' off-road success. Later in his racing career, the Fort Smith, Arkansas
rider became an interna onal ambassador for U.S. off-road compe on. He increased his prominence
in the sport significantly by compe ng in the Interna onal Six Days Trial (now the Interna onal Six Days
Enduro) from the mid-1960s through 1972. He won a silver medal twice in the World Championship
event, riding for Team USA.
