This folder has numerous articles on the inaugural auto races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These races occurred only days after the Speedway hosted the Federation of American Motorcycles (FAM) race meet. The auto races were a blend of success and tragedy. Most of the major American drivers entered – Barney Oldfield, Ray Harroun, Bob Burman, Tom Kincaid, Lewis Strang, Louis Chevrolet, Jap Clemens, Charlie Merz, Eddie Hearne, Ralph De Palma and Tobin DeHymel among them. With the exception of a Fiat and a Benz, the entries were American, including: Marmon, Marion, Stearns, National, Jackson, Stoddard-Dayton, Buick and Apperson. Tragedy came in the loss of several lives, including Willfred Bourque, who became the first driver to die in a racing accident at the Speedway.

Grim Irony - 1909

The article in the attachment below is from the July 16, 1909, Indianapolis News touted the excitement of the upcoming first automobile races at the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Early IMS Entries, August 1909 Races

Early entries for the first auto races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway fueled excitment among throughout the Hoosier capital city about big-time racing on America's first major purpose-built speedway in 1909. Two brief Indianapolis News articles in the attachments below tell the story.
Indy Hotel Capacity - 1909

This is an interesting attached article from the August 7, 1909, Indianapolis News forecasting the level of spectator and industry interest in the first auto race meet of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway based on hotel reservations for the scheduled days of August 19, 20, and 21.

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.

FAM Riders Ready for IMS Meet

This article first appeared in the July 31, Indianapolis News.
 
IMS Construction + Cannon Ball Baker

This attachment contains two very brief items concerning the upcoming August 1909 motorcycle races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This material was originally published in the August 2, 1909, Indianapolis News. This same article appears elsewhere on First Super Speedway, published in the days when we copied microfilm onto paper and scanned them.
Motorcycle King at IMS?

This article provides an August 3, 1909, update to developments concerning the anticipated August 13-14 motorcycle race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It first appeared in that day's Indianapolis News.
Moto Entries - August 1909 at IMS

The attachments below contain three articles that provide a nice overview of the motorcycles and riders entered in the first motorized competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August 1909. All this content appeared in the Indianapolis News the week of the event which was originally scheduled for August 13 and 14. 
Moto Entries - August 1909 at IMS

The attachments below contain three articles that provide a nice overview of the motorcycles and riders entered in the first motorized competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August 1909. All this content appeared in the Indianapolis News the week of the event which was originally scheduled for August 13 and 14. 
 
Algonquin Hill Climb & Oldfield (1909)

The attachment here contains three brief items. One concerns results for the Algonquin Hill Climb in 1909.
Oldfield, Christie Barnstorm Ft. Erie!

Here you will find three attachments containing very brief articles, all pushing legendary racing hero Barney Oldfield front and center.