E. J. Potter | |
---|---|
Born |
Ithaca, Michigan, U.S. | April 24, 1941
Died | 30 April 2012 Ithaca, Michigan, U.S. | (aged 71)
Occupation | Stunt performer |
Known for | Motorcycle stunts |
E. J. Potter (April 24, 1941 - April 30, 2012 [1]), a.k.a. the Michigan Madman, [1] [2] was an American dragstrip exhibition proponent. Writing his obituary in 2012, Paul Vitello of the New York Times described him as a "legend". [1]
Born in Ithaca, Michigan, Elon Jack Potter grew up on a farm repairing tractor engines, [1] which led to building motorcycles. In high school, he wondered if he could build a bike with a V8 engine. [2] The bike he built, named "Bloody Mary", [2] was tested at a local strip and reached 130 mph (210 km/h). [1]
He later built a three-wheeled motorcycle with a United States military surplus rocket engine. [1] "The Widowmaker" set three world land speed records. [2] Potter's other creations include putting a jet engine in a Motorized tricycle and putting WWII airplane engines into tractors for tractor pull competitions. [3]
Beginning soon after his high school graduation, Potter toured the drag racing circuit for 13 years with his creations. [1]
He died in Ithaca, Michigan, aged 71 from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. [4]
In 2017, Potter's 1971 Widowmaker 7 went up for auction in Las Vegas. [5] [6] Potter's motorcycles were featured on an episode of American Pickers in 2019. [7]
E. J. Potter | |
---|---|
Born |
Ithaca, Michigan, U.S. | April 24, 1941
Died | 30 April 2012 Ithaca, Michigan, U.S. | (aged 71)
Occupation | Stunt performer |
Known for | Motorcycle stunts |
E. J. Potter (April 24, 1941 - April 30, 2012 [1]), a.k.a. the Michigan Madman, [1] [2] was an American dragstrip exhibition proponent. Writing his obituary in 2012, Paul Vitello of the New York Times described him as a "legend". [1]
Born in Ithaca, Michigan, Elon Jack Potter grew up on a farm repairing tractor engines, [1] which led to building motorcycles. In high school, he wondered if he could build a bike with a V8 engine. [2] The bike he built, named "Bloody Mary", [2] was tested at a local strip and reached 130 mph (210 km/h). [1]
He later built a three-wheeled motorcycle with a United States military surplus rocket engine. [1] "The Widowmaker" set three world land speed records. [2] Potter's other creations include putting a jet engine in a Motorized tricycle and putting WWII airplane engines into tractors for tractor pull competitions. [3]
Beginning soon after his high school graduation, Potter toured the drag racing circuit for 13 years with his creations. [1]
He died in Ithaca, Michigan, aged 71 from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. [4]
In 2017, Potter's 1971 Widowmaker 7 went up for auction in Las Vegas. [5] [6] Potter's motorcycles were featured on an episode of American Pickers in 2019. [7]