Clara Wagner

Clara Marian Wagner (11 November 1891 – 30 December 1961) was one of the first documented women motorcyclists, who became notable as an endurance racer and was sponsored by the Eclipse Machine Co., a bicycle company, for using its braking products.

Wagner motorcycle, 1911 modelIn 1907, Wagner, 15 years old and the daughter of the Wagner Motorcycle Company (1901-1914 ) owner George Wagner from Saint Paul, Minnesota, became a member of the American Federation of Motorcyclists (FAM).

Clara Wagner put the company's motorcycles on the map by achieving a perfect score in a FAM 360-mile endurance race from Chicago to Indianapolis in 1910, aged 18, , but was denied the trophy because she was female. She won several such events.

At the time, Wagner was celebrated on a series of postcards as "The most successful and experienced lady motorcyclist" and rode one of the first motorcycles designed specifically for women.