Popular stalwart of Californian sprint racing, who died after a crash in a qualifying heat race. Full name was William Walter May, and he was of Germanic background, his father having emigrated in the late 1890's, taking up a job on the railroad. His mother was US born, but her parents had emigrated from Bavaria about twenty years before. May, who spoke both German and English, had raced since 1926, largely on dirt tracks. May died in hospital of injuries sustained when his wheel collapsed during his dirt oval race.

Biography last updated 28 Jan 2017