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.

City Dresses Up for Motorcycles

Attachment FAM090809 contains two articles published in the August 8, 1909, Indianapolis Star just days before the motorcycle race meet that was the first motorized competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
FAM Motorcycle Program Announced

Here you will find two brief but power-packed articles originally published in the July 16, 1909 Indianapolis Star and the July 17, 1909 Indianapolis News. This was about one month before the motorcycle race meet that was the first motorized competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Ed Lingenfelder Speaks

For me, the defining moment of the August 1909 Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) national championship race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a hastily organized match race between "The Champion of the West," Ed Lingenfelder of Alh
Riders Arrive

This article was published August 9, 1909 in the Indianapolis Star. This was the day before the 388-mile endurance ride from Cleveland-to-Indianapolis that kicked off the big motorcyle events that week in the Hoosier capital.
Ready for Endurance Run

This article was originally published in the July 18, 1909 Indianapolis Star and describes the arrangements for the 388-mile Cleveland-to-Indianapolis endurance run that was a prelude to the first motorized competition at the Indianapols Motor Speedway on August 14.

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.

Outing on Fisher's Farm

This is a very brief item published in the August 12, 1909 Indianapolis Star. It notes a charitable act by Carl Fisher, one of the four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
1909 Glidden Tour - Indianapolis Star

The following articles are collectively coverage of the 1909 Glidden Tour published in the Indianapolis Star. For additional coverage check out articles from the rival Indianaolis News as well as an image portfolio elsewhere on First Super Speedway.
1909 Glidden Tour - Indianapolis News

The following articles are collectively coverage of the 1909 Glidden Tour published in the Indianapolis News. For additional coverage check out the collection of Indianapolis Star articles as well as a portfolio of images elsewhere on First Super Speedway.
Charles Stutz Dominates

The two attachments below contain articles reporting on racing events taking place in early July 1909. Both focus on the fortunes of local boy Charles Stutz in particular. One is from the Indianapolis Star, a morning newspaper, and the other from the evening paper, the Indianapolis News. Both reports are digests of numerous news items extending beyond competition to include the auto industry in general.
 
Speedway As A Business

This article originally appeared in the July 24, 1909 Indianapolis Star and is somewhat rare in that it attempts to provide some analysis of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a business. Back in these days one million dollars was almost unfathomable money. The article suggests that when everything was done the collective investment of those involved with the August opening of the Speedway for motor racing would exceed that figure.