1909 Review

This article by Peter Paul (P.P.) Willis was published the day after Christmas 1909 in the Indianapolis Star.
Edgar Apperson Speaks

This article by Edgar Apperson was originally published in the January 21, 1910 Indianapolis News.
Hoosier State Auto Industry Power - 1910

The Indianapolis News article contained in the attachment below provides some excellent insights to the state of the automotive industry in Indiana on the day it was published - January 22, 1910. In 1909, the article reports that 74 automotive industry firms were established. Forty-Five Indiana factories were projected to produce 35,000 cars in the coming 12 months. Those statistics made Indiana second only to Michigan in automobile construction.

 
Hoosiers in New York -1910

Let's go back to Christmas Day, 1910. The article contained in attachment NYautoNews122510 was published on that glorious occasion by the Indianapolis News. The article focuses on the participation of Indianapolis manufacturers in the two New York trade shows of the day. The reason for the two rival shows was the Selden Patent controversy.
Carl Fisher, Washington Lobbyist, 1910

There seems to be no end to the businesses and professional activities that Carl Fisher, founder of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, took ownership of or led in some way. Among them:
Finish to Finish First - 1912

Click thru the link below to read an excellent article by contributor Brian Blain, president of the Blain Motorsports Foundation and organizer of the Pre-1920 Race Car Exhibition Series appearing at Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) and other automobile events.
A Look at Frank Fox

Let's get started with a, "thank you" to Fred Nation for calling our attention to this fine article by writer and historian Mike McCormick. It originally appeared in the Terre Haute Tribune-Star on Sunday, February 8, 2006.
 

Fifteen articles in this collection document significant events in Carl Fisher’s life. His “palimony” suit with Gertrude Hassler is an interesting example. Another important point is the Zanesville, Ohio county fair horse track accident in September 1903 that involved his teammate Earl Kiser and resulted in the death of several spectators. Also, there is Carl’s wonderful first hand account of his balloon ride when he competed in the Speedway’s first competition – the national balloon championships of June 1909.

Fisher & Wife Jane Road Trip

This is a very brief item published in the January 8, 1910, Indianapolis News. It notes a midwinter extended car trip by Carl Fisher, one of the four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This is a wonderful collection of Indianapolis News, Indianapolis Sun and Indianapolis Star newspaper articles covering the August 14, 1909 Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) national championship race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was the first motorized competition at the Speedway and delivered mixed results at best. The track was simply not ready, its rough macadam and tar surface broke up during the events. Further, the nature of the surface and length of the giant track was such that the riders could attain speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour but the lightweight bikes bounced dangerously over the loose stones. Many observers called a fiasco as numerous planned events were canceled when riders refused to take any more risks. Champion rider Jake DeRosier suffered serious injuries in a spectacular fall in a match race conceived on the fly. Also see my story of this event from the 2008 Moto GP Program.

Note: I will update this section with a synopsis of each article as time permits.

Moto Board Track in Indianapolis?

This Indianapolis News article (attachment IndyMoto020510) ran several months after the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) 1909 motorcycle week in Indianapolis and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the first motorize

This category contains feature stories on auto racing history that have been published in Indianapolis Motor Speedway Programs and historical publications. Most of the articles pertain to per-WWI auto racing, but others cover more recent history. Among the subjects covered are: Barney Oldfield, the 1914 Cactus Derby; Jim Clark racing in NASCAR; Jim Hurtubise racing in NASCAR; an interview with John Surtees; the 1909 Motorcycle meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; the first French Grand Prix; the Vanderbilt Cup; the 1937 Indianapolis 500; Wilbur Shaw; Cannon Ball Baker; Holmon and Moody; Indianapolis 500 relief drivers; Ralph De Palma; Smokey Yunick; the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Harvest Classic; Rudolf Carraciola; Dan Gurney and Johnny Aitken. The articles are a mix of biographical pieces and stories of milestone events in auto racing history.

Primer on Early Road Racing

I am very proud to have my feature article, "The Birth of Road Racing," published in the April 2018 issue of Vintage Racing Quarterly (VRQ). I believe you will find in this attachment an excellent primer on the earliest days of auto racing.