Information about the operations of the AAA as the primary sanctioning body of auto racing in the United States, especially in the earliest days of the sport.

ACA, MCA & International Rules

Attachment RacingRules112809 contains an article originally published in the November 28, 1909, Indianapolis Star. The article discusses the activities of American-based automobile organizations to feed input into the upcoming December 7, 1909, International Conference of Automobile Clubs to be held in Paris, France.
 
Atlanta Speedway Construction

The article contained in attachment Atlanta091509 was originally published in the September 15, 1909 Indianapolis Star. The subject was an intimidating rival to the newly, albeit tragically, christened Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its opening races the previous month. This was the Atlanta Speedway, a two mile crushed stone track that promised record breaking speeds.
 
Indiana Auto Industry Value - 1909

Attachment AutoIndustry092609 contains an article published September 26, 1909 in the Indianapolis Star. It discusses the value of the Hoosier state's automobile industry at that time.
 
DePalma @ St. Paul - 1909

Attachment DePalma091209 contains two very brief articles about events involving automobiles on dirt horse tracks. These small items were published in the September 12, 1909 Indianapolis Star.
 
DePalma Injury & Comeback 1909/1910

The brief article in attachment DePalma101009 was originally published in the October 10, 1909, Indianapolis Star. It concerns the serious accident to champion driver Ralph DePalma and his Fiat Cyclone after a tire burst during a race on the dirt track at Danbury, Connecticut.
Jack Johnson in Indianapolis - 1909

The Indianapolis Star article in attachment JackJohnson102709 was published October 27, 1909.
 

This collection of articles reviews the plans of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to stage an air show during the autumn of 1909. The effort came in the wake of the tragic first automobile race where five lives were lost including two spectators. This forced the founders to pave the track in effort to advance safety. This probably had something to do with the eventual cancellation of the air show but also it is likely Speedway management simply did not plan far enough in advance. The logistics of staging the event may have overwhelmed them and the availability of top pilots and airplanes may have been tight.

Bumbaugh's Dirigible 1909

The article in attachment Bumbaugh103009 about Captain George L. Bumbaugh's giant dirigible was originally published in the October 30, 1909, Indianapolis Star. Bumbaugh had exhibited his dirigible at the Indiana State Fair in September.
 

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.

Carl Fisher Wins Hill Climb - 1909

These articles focus on a "sociability run" conducted October 2 & 3, 1909. The event was for amateur drivers even though Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and Founder Carl Fisher was entered. Fisher had a respectable driving resume and had competed in auto races for several years prior to this event.
 

Occasionally I run across obscure American road races that occurred before WW-I. This category is designed to capture and preserve such races.

Marmons in Munsey Tour

This very brief item was published in the September 19, 1909 Indianapolis Star. It concerns the entry of two Indianapolis-built Marmon automobiles being in a pair of endurance runs. One, from Washinton D.C. to Boston was called the Munsey Tour.
Portola Road Race - 1909

The article in attachment Record102409 was originally published in the Indianapolis Star on October 24, 1909. It concerns the running of road races that were part of a celebration called the "Portola Festival" in Oakland, California on October 23.