Strang's "Giant" Fiat

The article in attachment IMSFiat121909 appeared in the December 19, 1909 Indianapolis Star. This was the same day coverage about day two of the first time tirals at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after the track was paved with bricks was published. In fact the focus of this article was the origin of the Fiat "Giant" that Lewis Strang was driving. Strang drove the big 200 HP car to speed records both at Atlanta Speedway in November and at the Speedway in December.
 
The article reports that the car was developed as a response to a challenge by the British Napier Company issued by the English legend Selwyn Edge both business executive and driver for the company. The enthusiastic Edge proclaimed that Napier would take on all competitors on the concrete-paved closed circuit course known as Brooklands in England. Italy's Fiat, who had enjoyed success in the French Grand Prix and Germany's "Kaiser Cup" with their star driver Felice Nazzaro, took Napier up on on their dare.
 
Nazzaro headed the development project and produced and awe inspiring machine - the Giant. After building and testing his state-of-the-art creation Nazzaro and Fiat's top mechanics headed off to England to confront Edge in a 25-mile match race. They swapped the lead early on before Nazzaro pulled away. The Napier faded, a victim to burnt bearings blamed on insufficient oil supply. Oil pumps required manual operation in the day and apparently Edge was not attentive enough to this duty.
 
After the race the car was purchased by W.C. Arnold, described as a "young New Yorker." Strang's first go with the machine was at the Atlanta races. In 1910 Ralph DePalma succeeded Strang as driver of this great car.