Racing on Lake St. Clair

This photo is of a Model T Ford racing and ice boat on frozen Lake St. Clair, which is located between Michigan and Ontario, Canada. The driver is Frank Kulick, who raced Ford automobilies during the first quarter of the 20th century. The lake played an important role in automobile testing in the early part of the century. Roads were atrocious and there were no speedways. Ormond-Daytona Beach was recognized as the best place in the United States and even the world for hight speed record runs. While the beach worked well, it was not convenient to Detroit-based automobile companies. During winter months Lake St. Clair provided a flat smooth surface. This surface was conditioned with hot cinders to improve traction. Henry Ford drove one of the "999" racers to a world land speed record on the lake's frozen surface on January 12, 1904 with a time of 39.4 seconds for a speed of 91.37 mph.