122:
533:
415:
395:
1025:
1298:
807:
435:
455:
375:
1262:
1063:
1044:
323:
301:
1280:
1192:
1099:
1081:
827:
493:
343:
1118:
1244:
967:
148:
before it was released on the market in 1952. Byars raced in numerous events and won several state and national titles, such as the
Southwestern Championship, the Texas State Championship, and the Milwaukee National 5-mile race. Byars became known as the "Beaumont Hornet" after winning the Texas State Championship of the Houston Hornets. After winning the Southwest flat track motorcycle title in Houston, Byars respectively became the "Man to Beat".
198:
185:
nation for several years. In 1957, the business was legally transferred into Byars’ name after his father's estate was settled. Byars’ business demanded his undivided attention; therefore, Byars was forced to retire from his racing career. Byars continued to sell Harley
Davidson motorcycles throughout the 50s, 60s and early 70s and later adding Suzuki motorcycles to his business, advertising as Byars Harley Davidson-Suzuki.
31:
275:
147:
Byars started attending Harley
Davidson schools for mechanics when he was about 17 years old. When the new Harley Davidson K model was introduced, Byars, being a factory-sponsored Harley rider, was issued one of the new models. He was one of the first six riders to be issued the new K model in 1951
188:
In 1973, Byars invested in a new enterprise in the marketing of his motorcycles. Since Suzuki motorcycles were more equitable and becoming more popular for marketing, Byars relinquished his entire assets of the Harley
Davidson dealership and contracted with the Suzuki manufacturers, organizing a new
151:
Byars was ranked among the most popular men riders in the United States, rated top in numerous articles nationwide. If he was not winning the race, he was placing in the top 5 most of the time. He was unceasingly racing throughout the nation in state and national events and constantly making news.
209:
signings to many racing events in recognition of former state and national champions. In March 2002, the
Daytona 200 monument was built and presented to the City of Daytona Beach by the people and various companies to preserve the memories of the original riders that raced on the beach at Daytona.
180:
In the 40s, while working in his father’s shop, Byars was seriously burned in an explosion. When he went to clean the grease from his hands, he grabbed a bucket of what he thought was kerosene that had been accidentally replaced with gasoline by his mother. Byars carried the bucket with him to the
184:
Byars was at the height of his racing career in 1952 when his father died. After inheriting the business from his father, the dealership became more demanding of Byars’ attention; however, Byars continued to share his time between operating the dealership and professionally racing throughout the
218:
Byars married Joyce
Ratcliff, the daughter of Viola Walsh and Midlredge B. Ratcliff; they had two sons, Jessie Thomas Byars, Jr., born September 30, 1949, in Beaumont and Robert Wayne "Bubba" Byars, born October 3, 1951, in Beaumont. Byars left 5 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
181:
bathroom and poured the fluid on his hands where the fumes from the gasoline ignited by a pilot light on a nearby hot water heater causing an explosion. He was taken to Hotel Dieu
Hospital in Beaumont, TX where he was treated and hospitalized for his burns.
176:
Byars was the heir of his father’s business where he owned and operated the Harley
Davidson dealership in Beaumont, TX. Byars literally grew up in the business, spending his youth repairing, riding and racing bicycles and motorcycles.
159:
By 1957, Byars' Harley
Davidson dealership required his undivided attention. Although his racing career ended, he continued in the racing industry by mentoring both of his sons, Tommy Byars,Jr. and Robert "Bubba" Byars, in
113:. Byars grew up in the motorcycle business, spending his youth in his father's bicycle/motorcycle shop. Byars began racing bicycles at 12 years old and advanced to racing motorcycle in his teens.
1355:
109:
Dealerships. Byars' father, Ray Byars, opened his first business in 1918 where it evolved over three years into the first Harley-Davidson dealership of
222:
Besides his main occupation of racing and selling motorcycles, Byars was interested in other competitions, such as boat racing and big game hunting.
129:
Byars began his racing career in the mid-1940s. By 1944, Byars was assisting his father in refereeing and time keeping for motorcycle races.
1350:
133:
1226:
1316:
1365:
136:
early in his racing career, during the heyday of Flat Track and TT Steeplechase dirt racing, riding alongside Caroll
Resweber,
572:"Views In The News-Tommy Byars (63) Barrels his Harley Davidson across the finish line to win the Southwest Championship race"
189:
cooperation, Suzuki, INC., of Beaumont. Byars continued to own and operate his business until he retired in the late 80s.
668:
846:
766:
746:
865:
688:
1006:
726:
707:
141:
987:
629:
611:
571:
553:
512:
887:
153:
590:
205:
In 1999, Byars was inducted into the Daytona Motorcycle Hall of Fame. In his latter years, he was invited for
89:(December 27, 1928 - February 22, 2017) was an American professional motorcycle racer and motorcycle dealer.
281:
1360:
596:
517:
474:
947:
225:
After a long illness, Byars died at Harbor Hospice on February 22, 2017, in his home town of Beaumont.
927:
1345:
1340:
648:
907:
787:
727:"Motorcycle Champions to Race Sunday, Tommy Byars, four-time Texas State and Southwest Champion"
121:
249:
307:
689:"50 Motorcyclist Scheduled to Race in Events Here Today, One of Nation's Best, Tommy Byars"
1211:
Graham, Joy (September 7, 2011). "1999 Daytona Beach Hall of Fame Inductee, Tommy Byars".
102:
1334:
360:
286:
792:
600:. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 27, 1953. p. 15 – via GenealogyBank.
165:
161:
137:
443:. Springfield, Illinois. August 21, 1955. p. 20 – via GenealogyBank.
30:
871:
197:
110:
423:. Daytona Beach, Florida. March 6, 2000. p. 1 – via GenealogyBank.
403:. Daytona Beach, Florida. March 6, 2000. p. 2 – via GenealogyBank.
97:
Byars was the son of Katy Elphám Cole and Henry Raymond Byars, also known as
578:. Shreveport, Louisiana. January 1955. p. 35 – via GenealogyBank.
206:
98:
1164:
1137:
1033:. Datona International Speedway. March 8, 1975 – via GenealogyBank.
101:. He was a resident of Beaumont, Texas, where he owned and operated the
201:
The Daytona 200 Monument Wall with "Tommy Byars No.63" carved in stone.
106:
935:. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 20, 1954 – via GenealogyBank.
853:. Shreveport, Louisiana. January 16, 1953 – via GenealogyBank.
754:. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 22, 1957 – via GenealogyBank.
835:. Daytona Beach, Florida. March 11, 1949 – via GenealogyBank.
815:. Springfield, Illinois. August 21, 1955 – via GenealogyBank.
156:, South Dakota; Springfield, Illinois; and Daytona Beach, Florida.
152:
Such events included: Nashville, Tennessee; Shreveport, Louisiana;
196:
120:
774:. Shreveport, Louisiana. July 17, 1949 – via GenealogyBank.
734:. Shreveport, Louisiana. May 31, 1956 – via GenealogyBank.
955:. Wichita Falls, Texas. May 8, 1954 – via GenealogyBank.
875:. Biloxi, Mississippi. May 15, 1953 – via GenealogyBank.
888:"New Mark Set in Cycle Races, Tommy Byars, High Money Winner"
1299:"Fast Craft Enter Neches Boat Clubs's Summer Regatta Sunday"
895:. Fort Worth, Texas. June 8, 1953 – via GenealogyBank.
915:. Austin, Texas. April 26, 1954 – via GenealogyBank.
591:"Byars is Rated 'Man to Beat' for State Fair Cycle Honors"
344:"Eight Races Held at Turning Basin, Assistant Time Keeper"
501:. October 29, 1953. p. 48 – via GenealogyBank.
975:. Daytona, FL. March 11, 1971 – via GenealogyBank.
676:. August 30, 1952. p. 10 – via GenealogyBank.
383:. August 11, 1957. p. 50 – via GenealogyBank.
1013:. Daytona, Florida. May 1975 – via GenealogyBank.
995:. Daytona, Florida. May 1971 – via GenealogyBank.
656:. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 27, 1953. p. 15.
541:. July 23, 1954. p. 20 – via GenealogyBank.
463:. March 9, 1955. p. 15 – via GenealogyBank.
331:. June 14, 1940. p. 15 – via GenealogyBank.
311:. June 13, 1940. p. 13 – via GenealogyBank.
521:. July 23, 1954. p. 9 – via GenealogyBank.
481:. June 6, 1955. p. 12 – via GenealogyBank.
1138:"Online Real Estate Records, Affidavit of Identify"
988:"Daytona Classics, Tommy Byars, Jr. wins 1st Place"
72:
57:
40:
23:
1227:"1999 Framed Autographed Motorcycle Racing Greats"
1191:
1163:
1117:
1024:
986:
966:
946:
926:
906:
886:
864:
828:"Entries for 100-mile Daytona Beach Race Saturday"
826:
806:
786:
765:
745:
725:
687:
667:
647:
589:
532:
494:"Local Cyclist Replaces Ex-Beaumonter as SW Champ"
492:
456:"Beaumont Motorcyclist to Race in Florida Classic"
454:
434:
414:
394:
374:
342:
322:
300:
274:
132:Byars earned his Expert license, #63, through the
1045:"350 Cyclists Take Part in Safety Circus, Prizes"
791:. Sturgis, South Dakota. p. 110 – via
302:"350 Cyclists Take Part in Safety Circus, Prizes"
210:Byars' name is carved in stone at this monument.
1064:"350 Cyclists Flag Day Observance, First Prizes"
696:. Shreveport, LA. September 6, 1953. p. 19.
324:"350 Cyclists Flag Day Observance, First Prizes"
866:"Motorcycle Races Sunday at Gulfcoast Speedway"
847:"Motorcycle Racer, Expert From Beaumont, Texas"
767:"Motorcycle Races Slated Today at Fair Grounds"
612:"Official Results 9 Mile National Championship"
436:"Here's Today's Entry List For Motorcycle Card"
1026:"Results of 100 Mile Experts/Juniors Combined"
125:Byars (2nd from right) standing with friends.
1126:. Beaumont, TX. November 21, 1952. p. 2.
1106:. Beaumont, TX. November 29, 1941. p. 2.
1088:. Beaumont, TX. November 28, 1941. p. 9.
8:
1119:"Ray Byars, 53, Lifelong City Resident Dies"
968:"Light Weight Class Winners in Victory Lane"
1200:. Beaumont, TX. April 30, 1973. p. 24.
376:"Cycle Entries Topped by Resweber, Leonard"
285:. September 9, 1931. p. 5 – via
618:. Milwaukee, WI. October 1955. p. 29.
29:
20:
1051:. Beaumont, TX. June 13, 1940. p. 5.
808:"Today's Entry List For Motorcycle Card"
1007:"It's 'Run What You Brung' Amateur Day"
747:"Southwest Regional Cycle Races Booked"
669:"Tommy Byars Here for Motorcycle Races"
244:
242:
240:
238:
234:
35:Byars on a 1952 K model Harley-Davidson
1165:"Jefferson County Real Estate records"
534:"Texas Cycle Champ to Race at Meadows"
1100:"Town Talk, condition of Tommy Byars"
416:"Fan Turnout to see racing 'Legends'"
16:Tommy Byars, Professional Texas Racer
7:
513:"Bike Aces Arrive Here for Big Race"
168:and flat track racing in the 1970s.
1251:. Daytona Beach, FL. March 6, 2000.
813:Illinois State Journal and Register
714:. Shreveport, LA. October 22, 1955.
441:Illinois State Journal and Register
1323:. Beaumont, TX. February 26, 2017.
1317:"Jesse Thomas Byars, Sr. Obituary"
1062:Beaumont Journal (June 14, 1940).
636:. America. April 1955. p. 38.
276:"Harley Davidson Dealer Ray Byars"
14:
1356:Sportspeople from Beaumont, Texas
1170:Jefferson County Clerk Web Access
1142:Jefferson County Clerk Web Access
788:"Sturgis: The Story of the Rally"
1287:. Beaumont, TX. October 3, 1951.
1269:. Beaumont, TX. October 1, 1949.
1144:. No. 9509773. Beaumont, TX
396:"Legends, continued from page 1"
708:"40 Riders in State Fair Event"
351:. September 4, 1944. p. 12
134:American Motorcycle Association
1305:. Beaumont, TX. July 12, 1940.
475:"Byars Captures Cycle Feature"
1:
833:Daytona Beach Morning Journal
560:. Houston, Texas. p. 19.
973:Datona Beach Morning Journal
1082:"Tommy Byars Burned Friday"
1070:. Beaumont, TX. p. 15.
948:"Cycle Races at Fort Worth"
649:"Byars Rated 'Man to Beat'"
552:Linder, Cy (January 1956).
1382:
1351:American motorcycle racers
1303:Beaumont Journal Newspaper
1068:Beaumont Journal Newspaper
1049:Beaumont Journal Newspaper
928:"Cycle Title Up For Grabs"
913:Austin American-Statesman
28:
893:Fort Worth Star-Telegram
479:Fort Worth Star-Telegram
1231:Mecum Auctions Road Art
908:"Byars Cops Cycle Race"
539:San Francisco Chronicle
282:The Beaumont Enterprise
250:"Jesse Tommy Byars, Sr"
1366:Harley-Davidson people
1233:. Las Vegas, NV. 2021.
785:Edeburn, Carl (2003).
518:San Mateo County Times
202:
193:Awards and recognition
126:
83:Jesse Tommy Byars, Sr.
44:Jesse Tommy Byars, Sr.
1285:Beaumont Journal News
1267:Beaumont Journal News
1011:American Motorcyclist
993:American Motorcyclist
634:American Motorcyclist
616:American Motorcyclist
576:American Motorcyclist
558:American Motorcyclist
381:The Milwaukee Journal
200:
124:
1213:The Vidorian Shopper
630:"Popular Men Riders"
254:Broussard's Mortuary
1321:Beaumont Enterprise
1193:"Legal Notice News"
499:Beaumont Enterprise
203:
127:
953:Times Record News
80:
79:
68:February 22, 2017
53:December 28, 1928
1373:
1325:
1324:
1313:
1307:
1306:
1295:
1289:
1288:
1277:
1271:
1270:
1259:
1253:
1252:
1249:The News-Journal
1241:
1235:
1234:
1223:
1217:
1216:
1208:
1202:
1201:
1198:Beaumont Journal
1195:
1188:
1182:
1181:
1179:
1177:
1167:
1160:
1154:
1153:
1151:
1149:
1134:
1128:
1127:
1124:Beaumont Journal
1121:
1114:
1108:
1107:
1104:Beaumont Journal
1096:
1090:
1089:
1086:Beaumont Journal
1078:
1072:
1071:
1059:
1053:
1052:
1041:
1035:
1034:
1028:
1021:
1015:
1014:
1003:
997:
996:
990:
983:
977:
976:
970:
963:
957:
956:
950:
943:
937:
936:
930:
923:
917:
916:
910:
903:
897:
896:
890:
883:
877:
876:
868:
861:
855:
854:
843:
837:
836:
830:
823:
817:
816:
810:
803:
797:
796:
790:
782:
776:
775:
769:
762:
756:
755:
749:
742:
736:
735:
729:
722:
716:
715:
704:
698:
697:
691:
684:
678:
677:
674:Nashville Banner
671:
664:
658:
657:
651:
644:
638:
637:
626:
620:
619:
608:
602:
601:
593:
586:
580:
579:
568:
562:
561:
554:"Piston Poppin'"
549:
543:
542:
536:
529:
523:
522:
509:
503:
502:
496:
489:
483:
482:
471:
465:
464:
461:Beaumont Journal
458:
451:
445:
444:
438:
431:
425:
424:
421:The News Journal
418:
411:
405:
404:
401:The News Journal
398:
391:
385:
384:
378:
371:
365:
364:
358:
356:
349:Beaumont Journal
346:
339:
333:
332:
329:Beaumont Journal
326:
319:
313:
312:
308:Beaumont Journal
304:
297:
291:
290:
278:
271:
265:
264:
262:
260:
246:
73:Bike number
67:
65:
52:
50:
33:
21:
1381:
1380:
1376:
1375:
1374:
1372:
1371:
1370:
1331:
1330:
1329:
1328:
1315:
1314:
1310:
1297:
1296:
1292:
1279:
1278:
1274:
1261:
1260:
1256:
1243:
1242:
1238:
1225:
1224:
1220:
1210:
1209:
1205:
1190:
1189:
1185:
1175:
1173:
1162:
1161:
1157:
1147:
1145:
1136:
1135:
1131:
1116:
1115:
1111:
1098:
1097:
1093:
1080:
1079:
1075:
1061:
1060:
1056:
1043:
1042:
1038:
1023:
1022:
1018:
1005:
1004:
1000:
985:
984:
980:
965:
964:
960:
945:
944:
940:
925:
924:
920:
905:
904:
900:
885:
884:
880:
863:
862:
858:
845:
844:
840:
825:
824:
820:
805:
804:
800:
784:
783:
779:
764:
763:
759:
744:
743:
739:
724:
723:
719:
706:
705:
701:
686:
685:
681:
666:
665:
661:
646:
645:
641:
628:
627:
623:
610:
609:
605:
588:
587:
583:
570:
569:
565:
551:
550:
546:
531:
530:
526:
511:
510:
506:
491:
490:
486:
473:
472:
468:
453:
452:
448:
433:
432:
428:
413:
412:
408:
393:
392:
388:
373:
372:
368:
354:
352:
341:
340:
336:
321:
320:
316:
299:
298:
294:
273:
272:
268:
258:
256:
248:
247:
236:
231:
216:
195:
174:
172:Business career
119:
103:Harley Davidson
95:
63:
61:
48:
46:
45:
36:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1379:
1377:
1369:
1368:
1363:
1358:
1353:
1348:
1343:
1333:
1332:
1327:
1326:
1308:
1290:
1272:
1254:
1236:
1218:
1203:
1183:
1172:. Beaumont, TX
1155:
1129:
1109:
1091:
1073:
1054:
1036:
1016:
998:
978:
958:
938:
918:
898:
878:
856:
838:
818:
798:
777:
757:
737:
717:
699:
679:
659:
639:
621:
603:
581:
563:
544:
524:
504:
484:
466:
446:
426:
406:
386:
366:
334:
314:
292:
266:
233:
232:
230:
227:
215:
212:
194:
191:
173:
170:
118:
115:
94:
91:
78:
77:
74:
70:
69:
59:
55:
54:
42:
38:
37:
34:
26:
25:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1378:
1367:
1364:
1362:
1361:Suzuki people
1359:
1357:
1354:
1352:
1349:
1347:
1344:
1342:
1339:
1338:
1336:
1322:
1318:
1312:
1309:
1304:
1300:
1294:
1291:
1286:
1282:
1276:
1273:
1268:
1264:
1258:
1255:
1250:
1246:
1240:
1237:
1232:
1228:
1222:
1219:
1214:
1207:
1204:
1199:
1194:
1187:
1184:
1171:
1166:
1159:
1156:
1143:
1139:
1133:
1130:
1125:
1120:
1113:
1110:
1105:
1101:
1095:
1092:
1087:
1083:
1077:
1074:
1069:
1065:
1058:
1055:
1050:
1046:
1040:
1037:
1032:
1027:
1020:
1017:
1012:
1008:
1002:
999:
994:
989:
982:
979:
974:
969:
962:
959:
954:
949:
942:
939:
934:
929:
922:
919:
914:
909:
902:
899:
894:
889:
882:
879:
874:
873:
867:
860:
857:
852:
848:
842:
839:
834:
829:
822:
819:
814:
809:
802:
799:
794:
789:
781:
778:
773:
768:
761:
758:
753:
748:
741:
738:
733:
728:
721:
718:
713:
709:
703:
700:
695:
690:
683:
680:
675:
670:
663:
660:
655:
650:
643:
640:
635:
631:
625:
622:
617:
613:
607:
604:
599:
598:
592:
585:
582:
577:
573:
567:
564:
559:
555:
548:
545:
540:
535:
528:
525:
520:
519:
514:
508:
505:
500:
495:
488:
485:
480:
476:
470:
467:
462:
457:
450:
447:
442:
437:
430:
427:
422:
417:
410:
407:
402:
397:
390:
387:
382:
377:
370:
367:
362:
361:GenealogyBank
350:
345:
338:
335:
330:
325:
318:
315:
310:
309:
303:
296:
293:
288:
287:GenealogyBank
284:
283:
277:
270:
267:
255:
251:
245:
243:
241:
239:
235:
228:
226:
223:
220:
214:Personal life
213:
211:
208:
199:
192:
190:
186:
182:
178:
171:
169:
167:
163:
157:
155:
149:
145:
143:
139:
135:
130:
123:
117:Racing career
116:
114:
112:
108:
104:
100:
92:
90:
88:
84:
75:
71:
60:
56:
43:
39:
32:
27:
22:
19:
1320:
1311:
1302:
1293:
1284:
1281:"Stork News"
1275:
1266:
1263:"Stork News"
1257:
1248:
1239:
1230:
1221:
1215:. Vidor, TX.
1212:
1206:
1197:
1186:
1174:. Retrieved
1169:
1158:
1146:. Retrieved
1141:
1132:
1123:
1112:
1103:
1094:
1085:
1076:
1067:
1057:
1048:
1039:
1030:
1019:
1010:
1001:
992:
981:
972:
961:
952:
941:
932:
921:
912:
901:
892:
881:
870:
859:
850:
841:
832:
821:
812:
801:
793:Google Books
780:
771:
760:
751:
740:
731:
720:
711:
702:
693:
682:
673:
662:
653:
642:
633:
624:
615:
606:
595:
584:
575:
566:
557:
547:
538:
527:
516:
507:
498:
487:
478:
469:
460:
449:
440:
429:
420:
409:
400:
389:
380:
369:
359:– via
353:. Retrieved
348:
337:
328:
317:
306:
295:
280:
269:
257:. Retrieved
253:
224:
221:
217:
204:
187:
183:
179:
175:
158:
150:
146:
131:
128:
96:
86:
82:
81:
18:
1346:2017 deaths
1341:1928 births
166:drag racing
162:road racing
138:Joe Leonard
87:Tommy Byars
85:, known as
24:Tommy Byars
1335:Categories
1176:January 3,
1148:January 3,
872:Sun Herald
355:October 9,
259:October 5,
229:References
142:Bobby Hill
111:East Texas
93:Early life
64:2017-02-22
49:1928-12-28
1245:"Legends"
933:The Times
851:The Times
772:The Times
752:The Times
732:The Times
712:The Times
694:The Times
654:The Times
597:The Times
207:autograph
99:Ray Byars
1031:AMA News
154:Sturgis
107:Suzuki
1178:2023
1150:2023
357:2022
261:2022
140:and
105:and
58:Died
41:Born
1337::
1319:.
1301:.
1283:.
1265:.
1247:.
1229:.
1196:.
1168:.
1140:.
1122:.
1102:.
1084:.
1066:.
1047:.
1029:.
1009:.
991:.
971:.
951:.
931:.
911:.
891:.
869:.
849:.
831:.
811:.
770:.
750:.
730:.
710:.
692:.
672:.
652:.
632:.
614:.
594:.
574:.
556:.
537:.
515:.
497:.
477:.
459:.
439:.
419:.
399:.
379:.
347:.
327:.
305:.
279:.
252:.
237:^
164:,
144:.
76:63
1180:.
1152:.
795:.
363:.
289:.
263:.
66:)
62:(
51:)
47:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
