George Beatty Sterne: The Life, Racing Career, and ... - MogNW

GB’s racing started before Morgans
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HILLS MEAN NOTHING TO THESE LADS
Edmonton Newspaper late 1930s or early 40s.
Nearly four thousand people saw a thrilling hill climb
contest Sunday by the Edmonton Motorcycle Club.
Winners of the tests shown above, left to right, are:
F. Robertson, 45-61 class, who negotiated a difficult climb
in 8.5 seconds; W. Marskell, 74 class whose time was 4.35
seconds; and George Sterne, who took the Alberta Championship,
climbing 150 feet in 3.45 seconds.
AUTOCYCLISTS PUT ON THRILL
Members of Edmonton Motorcycle Club Hold Contests
All the thrills and spills that speedy sport can supply
were on the program Sunday when about 25 cyclists, the
majority of the members of the Edmonton Motorcycle
Club, staged a hill climbing contest for the benefit of several
thousand citizens who visited the ski jump hill to witness
the trials. For two hours the young speedsters vied
with one another for the Alberta championship honours,
these being finally carried off by George Sterne who
speeded up the150⁸foot hill in the short time of 3.45 seconds.
To him goes the trophy which is competed for annually,
and also the honour of being Alberta champion in the
hill climbing events.
Pits Are Dug
To provide more sport for both spectators and riders the
hill was ploughed up and miniature pits dug. When the
cyclists struck these depressions the machines spring into
the air as if shot from a catapult. Several spills were re-
Chapter 6
GB’s Morgans
ceived by the riders, but even this was a small thrill when
compared to that of succeeding in making the top. Following
are the results for the Alberta championship by class:
Open competition:
1. Geo. Sterne, 150 feet in 3.45 seconds
2. W. Marskell, 150 feet in 4 seconds
3. E. Shaver, 148 feet
“74” class:
1. George Sterne, 4.15 seconds
2. W. Marskell 4.35 seconds
3. E. Shaver, 5.35 seconds
“48-61” class:
1. F. Robertson, 8.5 seconds
2. J. Renaud, 147.5 feet
3. H. Ferrier 147 feet
The championship trophy was donated by the Northern
Utilities, the other prizes were donated by the following
firms: Smith’s Cycle Store, Jackson Bros., Kline, Henry
Birks and Sons, S. R. Ash Jewellers, Dominion Tire Co.,
Goodyear Tire Co., Beatty Bros., Great West Garment
Co., Acme Clothiers and Boys’ Shop.
Tile executive, G. Sterne and E. B. Earl Shaver, announce
that the prize awards will be made to the winners
at Smith’s Cycle Store at 8 p.m. Monday.
GB’s first sports car, an MG TD. This is one of the
few photos Bob Sterne has of his dad in his MG TD.
Bob thinks the “700 series” number indicated a novice
in those days, so this may be from one of his first
races, if not the very first, and was probably at the
Abbotsford Airport. GB later raced under number
114 if Bob remembers correctly.