Cadillac Withdraws From Racing

This article appeared in the May 28, 1909 Indianapolis Star and reports on the intentions of the Cadillac Motor Car Company of Detroit with respect to auto racing. The value of auto racing has always been a debate among manufacturers. During this period those that did participate advocated stock car racing to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the governing body of auto racing in the United States. Even among those that chose to race the use of "freak" racers - or purpose-built cars for competition - was a conern because of the investment required and the concern that it bore little relevance to making the right choice for the consumers of their products.
 
The news coverage was triggered by a "circular" that was distributed to their dealers informing them that they would not support entries into speed, hill-climb and endurance contests with mechanics, drivers or other resources. An excerpt of the letter to dealers reads:
 
"We are almost daily in receipt of letters from our dealers asking us to assist them entering contests, such as races, hill-climbs, endurance runs, etc. It is our belief after long considersation and a great deal of experience that such advertising and publicity as may be received from contests is short-lived and not worth the expense."