Marshall “Digger” Helm

November 3, 1938 - March 19, 2018

Sad to report the passing of Digger Helm. Well liked and respected in the race community Digger had been suffering with cancer for some time.

A former Flat Track, TT racer #52 Digger Helms traveled the race circuit and earned his National number with a win on the 1/4 mile Santa Fe short track in 1962. After retiring from two-wheel competition Digger raced stock cars and other four-wheel classes.

Digger promoted Speedway at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield California for several years in the early 1970's.A hands on promoter Digger picked riders Jeff Sexton, Dubb Ferrell, Steve Nutter, Bert Harkins, Brian Short and rookie Dan Toomey to race on his Bakersfield Bandits Speedway Team. Considered the underdog the Bandits finished as the number one Speedway team.

Our Team Leathers were purple cause he loved the color former Bakersfield Bandits rider Dubb Ferrell told me. I'll really miss him cause he was a really good guy.

Bakersfield is a racing town and the fans show a lot of support Speedway star "Sliding" Sonny Nutter relayed."Hotter than hell in the summer it could be 105 at night but that did not diminish their enthusiasm. Digger made it fun and we always played jokes on each other. Hey what are you up to Lyle he would yell. Oh wouldn't you like to know Marshal I'd reply. None knew those are our real first names so no one had clue on what we were saying.

I'm also a big fan of his former racer and television star Billy Gray confided. When Digger stopped promoting at the Fairgrounds I ran the track and called it Diamond Speedway. He always gave a lot of support. The man was special. Years passed but Digger never lost his love for racing and racers. A regular at the Oildale track he would announce and play his horn. Very involved in the Eddie Mulder's West Coast Dirt Track Series the "Digger Helm Open Pro Class" is named in his honor.

Howie Zechner

Top Photos by: Michael Helm

It’s important to understand that without Digger’s support in 1969 of speedway motorcycle racing, it can be argued that the rebirth may not have taken hold in America. A direct line between his weekly show at Bakersfield, and those at Costa Mesa, Irwindale, and Ventura can be drawn to the present day speedway racing scene we are lucky to enjoy. Kari Bast was so kind to send this picture (below) of her multi-time champion father, Mike, with Digger on the back of his trials bike.

George Ferrell‎

Remembering a Life - Marshall Edwin "Digger" Helm - November 3, 1938- March 19, 2018

They say God takes the good ones and that's exactly what he did when Digger left this world. A sad day for the race community and all who knew him it would now be up to us mortals to come to terms with his loss. To help heal the hurt a Memorial Service was planned. A Celebration of Life where and all who knew Digger and those that wished they had could attended.

Held on April 4th at the Greenlawn Memorial Park in Bakersfield California it was the perfect location. His father Ed Helm had established the cemetery in 1931.Digger played on the grounds as a kid and worked there once grown. He expanded it. He ran it. He owned it. Now it would be his final resting place.

Sammy Tanner, Dubb Ferrell and myself made the trip from Los Angels. A short two-hour drive it gave time for stories and refection. All good, both racers had nothing but praise for the man and his accomplishments.

Dubb Ferrell - Sammy Tanner

Everyone except Digger and I were wearing black leathers when both us were competing on the National Flat Track and TT circuit Sammy Tanner relayed. We wore white. Mine said "The Flying Flea" and had a picture of a guitar stitched under the name and his said Digger and had a shovel. Nationally ranked number 57 after his 1st place finish on the Santa Fe short track race in 1962 Digger was a fierce competitor. Both of us on raced Triumph motorcycles. Matter of fact Digger bought the bike I was campaigning from my sponsor Johnson Motors. At some of the races we would share the machine. Good times for sure, I was delighted when he was inducted into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame on January 24, 2004

"Dangerous" Dubb told of how he had raced for Digger when the flamboyant undertaker promoted Speedway at the Kern County Fairgrounds and how his Speedway Team the "Bakersfield Bandits" finished 1st in the league beating out other teams who's members included names like Bast and Penhall and Woods."You know why our team uniforms were purple" he continued. It was because that was Digger's favorite color and he used it on almost everything.

Billy Gray who at the last minute had to bow out of this trip also relayed his fondness for Digger. I raced for the Orange County Eagles during the Team racing days but always liked coming to Bakersfield he had told me earlier. The track and fans were so enjoyable. I took over the Speedway promotion after Digger stopped promoting there. "The man always supported my efforts. I thank him for all he has done."

Arriving at Greenlawn two hours early the place was already packed. Vehicles with motorcycle stickers filled the parking lot and the area in front of the Memorial Chapel was crowded with people. Many wearing purple and T-Shirts from Diggers race promotions and various events he helped sponsor. Motorcycles and cars Digger owned were lined up in front of the sidewalk. One that stood out had a mannequin dressed in Diggers #57 leathers sitting on his #57 race machine. Life-size and looking like it could ride away at any time it was an eerie sight to see.

Entering the Chapel there were pictures of Digger everywhere. His folks, his kids, his family. Digger racing motorcycle and cars, even one of him on a unicycle. Giant screen monitors were plentiful and a large overflow section was set up. Flowers were abundant.

The main room was even more elaborate. Set up to hold several hundred it was soon filled to capacity. In front a giant area that held mementos from Diggers racing days plus two of his favorite Harley race bikes. In the right hand corner the Digger Helm Tribute Band played. A gifted musician Digger could play a variety of different instruments and even during his racing days he always had his favorite horn with him. Displayed in the corner a large poster from an establishment called the Hill House announced a band called the "Four Easy Pieces" and its musicians Rusty, Digger, Mike and Randy. Many there were not aware the Digger Helm played, wrote and recorded music.

Front center an open casket held Marshall Edwin "Digger" Helm and most came up to say their final goodbyes. The fanciest thing I have ever seen it was custom painted in purple with the same matching design as his racing helmet and the two motorcycles that shared the stage. On each corner a picture of Digger on his #57 race machine was built into the casket. Above his head engraved stitching on the Inside of the casket showed checkered flags and was signed Best Wishes Digger Helm. The signature ran off to a picture of a shovel. A showman to the end it brought a smile when one was desperately needed.

The service started with an opening statement and prayer by Pastor Troy Morris. He like all that came up to speak relayed Diggers generously in martial, monitory and mental support.

Pastor Troy Morris

Before the next speaker the song "Crazy, Crazy," was played. It and another called "Going to a Meeting" was recorded and sold on a 45 back when Digger played with the band Johnny Blue and the Providers.

Greenlawn Cemetery President Jim La Mar was the next speaker. He told of his start with the company in 1990 and how the organization had expanded. "Digger was my boss but he never told me how to do my job. I respected him immensely" he relayed.

Greenlawn Cemetery President Jim La Mar

The honorable Harvey Hall followed. Dressed in a purple suit the 25th Mayor of Bakersfield told of his long relationship with the Helm family."I could always count on Digger to support my campaign. Once I ran unopposed and Digger sent a check anyway. It's the kind of a guy he was."

Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall

Sonny Nutter was next on the podium. Bakersfield is a racing town and the fans showed a lot of support "Sliding" Sonny relayed. "Hotter than hell in the summer it could be 105 at night but that did not diminish their enthusiasm". Not a member of the Bandits team Sonny had ridden for the Ventura Sharks but he was a huge fan of Diggers promotions and had competed on a variety of different bikes and classes their over the years. "Digger made it fun and we always played jokes on each other. "Hey what are you up to Lyle he would yell. Oh wouldn't you like to know Marshall" I'd reply. None knew those are our real first names so they had no clue on what we were saying.

Racer "Sliding" Sonny Nutter

A stirring 15-minute video tribute followed. The content spanned his lifetime and included all his loves. Several VIP's who were unable to attend were featured. Well produced it brought a laugh and cry to more than one as the story of Marshall Edwin "Digger" Helm unfolded.

Guest speakers Eddie Mulder and Rod Lake took the stage. Mulder went first and spoke passionately about their life long friendship. In sometimes-colorful language he relayed stories of adventures the two had shared. His support of the Eddie Mulder West Coast Dirt Track series probably totaled into the hundreds of thousands over the years. His emotional support was even more valuable the speaker went on to say. The Digger Helm Open Pro Class is named in his honor. Rod Lake chimed in with more of the same. Cut from the same generous cloth both Rod and Digger were huge race supporters.

Eddie Mulder and Rod Lake

Diggers sister, Sandy Moffett came to the stage and read the Emmett Moore poem called "The Man in the Iron Shoe" Passionately delivered it's last paragraph says"He may grow old and gray like me but till his life is through. He'll never lose the memory of his days in the Iron Shoe."Nuff said.

Sandy Moffett

Another poem followed. This one was written for Digger, its creator Neil Kitchen shared it with the audience. A good read I'm partial to the paragraph that says "Like a runaway stallion with no bridle. He never looked back. Other riders thought him suicidal. As he flew by them on the track.

Like the life we all were celebrating the time flew by to fast. Mike Hart singing the Frank Sinatra song “My Way” followed a closing statement and prayer by Pastor Troy Morris. The Digger Helm Tribute Ban played postlude music. All in attendance were directed into a different room for food and conversation.

Catching up on old times with this stories author Howie Zechner 

There's more to the man than what’s written here. His announcing and years of years helping up-and-coming racers with sponsorships. His passion for people. RIP Marshall Edwin "Digger" Helm. You will be missed my friend.

See all 280 pictures at www.facebook.com/speedwayzar/media_set

Howie Zechner