| Ernie was born on May 31, 1923, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Motorcycles were not a part of Beckman's life until World War II. While stationed in Guadalcanal, Beckman decided to take a joy ride on a military police motorcycle that was parked on a beach near his barrack. The MPs caught Beckman after a short jaunt and, luckily for him, did nothing more than make Beckman push the bike back to the spot where the short-lived joy ride began. | |
| In 1949, Beckman turned pro. His first finish at an AMA national was fourth in October of that year, at the half-mile dirt track in Shreveport, La. On August 5, 1951, Beckman won his first national, the eight-mile championship at Williams Grove, Pa. Beckman went on to dominate that event for the next two years. His three-year Williams Grove Half-Mile winning streak was ended by Charles Carey who nipped Beckman at the line in 1954. | |
| Beckman was one of the most consistent performers on the national circuit in the early 1950s. From 1949 to 1957. Beckman will also be remembered for being the last rider to win an AMA Grand National race on an Indian—on August 2, 1953 in Williams Grove, Pa. |
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