One of the most unique chapters of Indianapolis Motor Speedway history was the June 1910 aviation show. Speedway President Carl Fisher loved leading edge technology, and he was almost as fascinated with aviation as race cars. This folder is packed with articles about that six day event which featured appearances by the Wright brothers and their star pilot, 21 year old Walter Brookins, who set a world altitude record at the meet. Carl Fisher got into the act, riding with Orville Wright in one of his pipe and stretched silk biplanes at dusk on one of the evenings. Fisher and Wright, fully exposed to the elements, laid on their stomachs, the Speedway president white-knuckling the metal pipe structure.

P.P. Willis Details IMS Aero Field

This amazing article written by the outstanding motorsports journalist Peter Paul "P.P." Wllis first appeared in the Sunday, April 17, 1910 Indianapolis Star.
Lincoln Beachey Enters IMS Air Show - 1910

This brief article was first published in the April 21, 1910 Indianapolis Star. It concerns the entry of famed aviator Lincoln Beachey in the June 1910 aviation show at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This little known automobile show was staged in Indianapolis and involved the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in March 1910. The Speedway founders were very in tune with the automobile industry and especially the many companies (Marmon, Marion, Premier, etc.) based in Indianapolis. The environment in Indianapolis at this time was electric and not unlike Silicon Valley in its formative years. An extensive network of excited, energetic entrepreneurs full of optimism were constantly interacting with one another exploring opportunities to advance their businesses and make barrels full of money. This auto show was another great promotion these bright, visionary men believed would advance their cause.

Entries for IMS Auto Show Events - 1910

This article, titled, "Speedway Events Today," first appeared in the March 31, 1910 Indianapolis Star. This was the morning of the Indianapolis Auto Show's presentation of testing and agility events for manufacturers appearing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Auto Show @ IMS - 1910

This article was originally published in the April 1, 1910 Indianapolis Star.

Called the "Western Vanderbilt" the initial Ira Cobe Trophy Race was run on a 23.27-mile road course completing a circuit between Crown Point and Lowell Indiana on June 19, 1909. It was commissioned by Ira Cobe, who founded the Chicago Automobile Club. Low attendance and the brutal punishment inflicted by the under-developed roadways contributed to the decision to move the contest for this classic trophy to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1910.

Moross Pursues Cobe Trophy - 1910

The attached article (IMSCobe042110) was first published in the April 21, 1910 Indianapolis Star. The article concerns the ongoing decision-making process concerning the venue for the 1910 Cobe Trophy. The race, along with its supporting event, the Indiana Trophy, was the first major road race ever held in Indiana in June 1909.

These are articles that concern the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's plans for the 1910 season. The Speedway considered a variety of events for the year from auto races to car shows to aviation events and more. In many instances they spoke with certainty that events would happen but then failed to deliver.

Moross' IMS Race Team - 1910

This article was originally published in the April 24, 1910 Indianapolis Star. It concerns an announcement by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Director of Contests Ernie Moross that the Speedway would organize a race team designated by IMS insignia-adorned apparel.
IMS Financial Investment - 1910

The attached article by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Contest Director Ernie Moross was originally published in the April 10, 1910 Indianapolis Star.
Moross Pursues Lowell Trophy - 1910

The attached article was first published in the April 27, 1910 Indianapolis Star.
National Races & the Brickyard

This article was published in the March 31, 1910 Indianapolis Star.
Merz' Comeback

This article first appeared in the April 24, 1910 Indianapolis Star. Be warned the attachment is poor quality and there are sections that are difficult to impossible to read. Get your magnifying glass.