Clara Wagner
Motorcycle racing // St Paul, Minnesota, United States
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Clara Wagner was a pioneering American motorsports racer born on November 11, 1891, in Minnesota. At 15, she became the first female Federation of American Motorcyclists member. In 1910, she completed the FAM Western District Endurance Run with a perfect score.
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Clara Wagner was a pioneering female motorcyclist who broke gender barriers in early 20th century motorsports, becoming the first documented woman to compete in motorcycle endurance racing.
EARLY YEARS
Born on November 11, 1891, in Minnesota, Clara was raised in a family deeply connected to motorsports. Her father, George Wagner, owned the Wagner Motorcycle Company in St. Paul, which provided her early exposure to motorcycles. By age 15, she had developed such enthusiasm for the sport that she joined the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) in 1907, receiving membership card number 1083 and becoming their first female member.
EARLY SUCCESS
Clara’s breakthrough came in 1910 when, at just 18 years old, she participated in the first annual FAM Western District Endurance Run. The challenging 360-mile race from Chicago to Indianapolis featured difficult terrain and heavy rain, yet she completed it with a perfect score. Though officially denied recognition by FAM due to her gender, her fellow male competitors honored her achievement by presenting her with a gold pendant, acknowledging her exceptional performance.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1907: Became the first female member of the Federation of American Motorcyclists at age 15[1].
- 1910: Completed the 360-mile FAM Western District Endurance Run with a perfect score[1].
- 1910: Received a gold pendant from 50 male competitors recognizing her achievement[1].
- 1911: Featured in a postcard ad series by Eclipse Machine Co. highlighting their braking products[2].
REPUTATION
Wagner earned significant recognition as “The most successful and experienced lady motorcyclist” of her era. Her performances in endurance racing garnered media attention and respect from her male counterparts, despite institutional gender discrimination. She became a celebrated figure in motorsports promotion, appearing in advertisements that showcased both her skills and her father’s motorcycles. Her pioneering spirit established her as an early icon for gender equality in racing, inspiring generations of women to enter the previously male-dominated world of motorsports.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
References:
Clara Marian Wagner, First Woman to Race Motorcycles – Moto Lady
Women in Transportation History: Clara Wagner, Motorcyclist – Transportation History
Clara Wagner – Wikipedia
Litas Motorcycle Club – AMCN
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