Bridge View

This image appeared in the Indianapolis Star on Sunday, August 8 1909 as part of the paper's coverage of preparations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's first motorized race meets - one for motorcycles, the other automobiles. The motorcycles were scheduled to start August 13 and the cars August 19.
 
The image was part of a montage of pictures that included a shot of the track's suspension bridge. The bridge was used for race fans to cross the track from the outside to the infield. It was located at the head of the front stretch exiting the northwest turn (turn four) in the approximate location of the tunnel under the track near gate 7 today.
 
This image is the view spectators got looking down the front stretch to the southwest trurn (turn 1). On the right are the grandstands - the only such seating at the track at the time. To the inside are the pits and judges' stand.
 
Check an image of another bridge that was constructed for automobile traffic for the 1910 season.