The May 1910 three-day program on the new bricked Speedway featured in all 42 races, ranging from 5 – 200 miles; quite a large number of short races. If that would please all spectators? But the competition ended without a major accident, this in contrast to last year. And, the brickyard clearly was faster, giving more spectacle.
Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory.com
The Motor World, Vol. XXIII, No. 9, June 2, 1910
GREAT GOING AT INDIANAPOLIS
First Championship Meeting Supplies Fine Sport and 24 New Records
Aitken Wins Two Title Events – Enormous Crowds Attend.
That the 2½ miles brick-surfaced Indianapolis Motor Speedway, just outside the Indiana city of that name, is one of the fastest race courses in the world, there can be no doubt. The three days‘ meeting there on Friday, Saturday and Monday last, May 27, 28 and 30, proved the claim beyond possible argument, and incidentally the three days‘ meeting will be inscribed in the pages of automobile race history as one of the most successful meetings ever held in America if not in the world. Not only were a great many American speedway records broken and further annihilated, but the combined attendance of the three days far surpassed any similar occasion in America. In addition to the records established for speed and attendance, the occasion was, incidentally, the first automobile championship meet ever held in America and six titular events were decided, with five different drivers figuring in them.
John Aitken, who pilots a National as well if not better than any other driver could do, was the only knight of the steering wheel to pluck two championships; he captured both the 5 and 10 miles titles for cars between 301 and 450 cubic inches piston displacement. Aitken was not the only champion that was created at the meet, however, as Harroun and Dawson, both reliable Marmon cracks, won the 10 and 5 miles title races for cars within the 231-300 cubic inches class, and Chevrolet, the erratic Frenchman, succeeded in capturing the 10 miles championship for cars in the 161- 230 cubic inches class. The only championship event for cars in the 451-600 cubic inches class was at the 10 miles distance and the Knox car, with Oldfield up, annexed the honor.
That the manufacturers have not been idle during the past few months certainly was proved by the Indianapolis meet. Records fell as chaff before a northern gale, and it is not exaggerating to state that never before in the history of automobile racing have so many records been wiped from the slate at a single meet. Not only were previous marks eclipsed, but in several instances new records were placed on the books one day only to be supplanted by better performances the following day.
Insofar as record-breaking was concerned the honors were not one-sided. It is true that Marmon cars set up 15 of the 24 new marks, but they were divided between two drivers – Harroun and Dawson – while the National cars, ably piloted by Kincaid and Aitken, also succeeded in obtaining their share of records. The Knox, too, figured in the discomfiture of Father Time. The old gentleman was sadly battered.
As regards attendance, the gate receipts surpassed even the expectations of the promoters. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has cost the builders an immense outlay of money, but if the three days‘ meeting last week is to be a criterion of future gatherings, the financial backers have excellent reason to chuckle to themselves and not feel discouraged as the result of last season’s two meetings.
On Friday, the first day of the meeting, the attendance was 15,000, which ensemble was increased to 25,000 on Saturday. As Monday was a general holiday, it was to be expected that the attendance would reach top notch calculations, but even the box office experts did not expect 60,000 persons to pass through the gates. Of this number, at least 2,500 came to the course in automobiles. Everyone seemed satisfied with the racing, which was peppery and full of thrills, in contradistinction to the runaways that have characterized other meetings.
For the first time in the history of American automobile racing a strict interpretation of the rules as regards stock models was insisted upon, and the microscopic search of the technical committee of the American Automobile Association caused some hard feelings among a few of the proposed entrants. Their rulings, though apparently exacting to those affected, were no more than just to those manufacturers who had complied with the rules. The technical gentlemen passed upon the entries the day before the meeting and declared the Buick models 16A, 16B and 100, the Jackson model 30, the Westcott model F, the Cutting model 50, the American Speedster, the Fuller 1911 Roadster, and the Empire 1911 model C, had not been produced in sufficient quantities to entitle them to be regarded as stock models. These cars accordingly were barred from the events in which they had been entered.
First Day – May 27th.
To win an event and not know it was the unusual experience of Tom Kincaid, the National pilot, on Friday, the opening day of the meet. Kincaid won the 100 miles event for the Prest-O-Lite trophy, but the race had developed into such a kaleidoscopic whirligig long before the finish that Kincaid could not be made believe that he had annexed the stellar honors of the first day’s program. The big race was the feature of the afternoon and many new records for cars within the 301-450 cubic inches piston displacement category were recorded as the result of the event. Seven drivers lined up for the start, as follows: Kincaid in the National, Lynch in a Jackson, Dawson in a Marmon, Harroun in a Marmon, Aitken in a National, and Fox at the wheel of a Pope-Hartford. Aitken set the pace for the first 19 miles, when Harroun went to the front and hung up new records for 20 and 30 miles. At this juncture Harroun had trouble and relinquished the lead to his teammate, Dawson, who slashed the records for 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 miles. In the 85th mile, when he was leading by two laps, or five miles, Dawson was compelled to stop for a few minutes, and this slip-up sufficed to give the lead to Kincaid who was nosing along in second position like a bloodhound on the scent of a renegade. Kincaid stepped to the front and refused to be dislodged, hanging up a new record for 90 and 100 miles, and winning the valuable trophy. When he was flagged and drew up alongside the pits Kincaid. refused to believe that he had won the race, and it was some minutes before he could be convinced that the informants were not „stringing“ him. When he learned that it actually was a fact, Kincaid hugged his mechanician in true Gaelic fashion.
The mile time trials which opened the meet were not spectacular, Bragg’s Fiat scoring the fastest time, in 392 seconds. Marmons, guided by Harroun and Dawson, ran one and two in the 10 miles for cars between 231 and 300 cubic inches, and Kincaid copped the 5 miles for cars in the 301-450 category, but was defeated by Aitken, his stable mate, in the race for larger machines. Greiner in a National won the 5 miles free-for-all and also nosed the way to the tape in the amateur race.
The summaries:
One mile time trials-Lytle, American, 0:46.05; Kincaid, National, 0:46.55; Aitken, National, 0:43.3; Bragg, Fiat, 0:39.5; Harroun, Marmon, 0:41.05; Kerscher, Darracq, 0:43.4.
Five miles, 161-230 cubic inches – Won by Chevrolet, Buick; second, Endicott, Cole; third, Frayer, Firestone-Columbus. Time, 4:41.77.
Ten miles, 231-300 cubic inches – Won by Harroun, Marmon; second, Dawson, Marmon; third, Fox, Pope-Hartford. Time, 8:16.8.
Five miles, 301-450 cubic inches – Won by Kincaid, National; second, Dawson, Marmon; third, Harroun, Marmon. Time, 4:05.76.
Ten miles, 451-600 cubic inches – Won by Aitken, National; second, Kincaid, National; third, Wilcox, National. 8:25.94.
Five miles free-for-all handicap-Won by Greiner, National; second, Tousey, National; third, Reed, Stoddard-Dayton. Time, 3:44.9.
Five miles amateur – Won by Greiner, National; second, Tousey, National. Time, 4:09.3.
Five miles free-for-all scratch – Won by Burman, Buick; second, Bragg, Fiat; third Harroun, Marmon. Time, 3:37.24.
One hundred miles for the Prest-O-Lite trophy, 301-450 cubic inches-Kincaid, National; second, Merz, National; third, Lynch, Jackson. Time, 1:23:43.12.
Second Day-May 28th.
With nearly twice as many spectators in the grandstand and bleachers as on Friday afternoon, Saturday’s racing was auspicious. The 200 miles race for the Wheeler & Schebler $10,000 trophy was the magnet for all the crack drivers; the ultimate capture of it by Ray Harroun and his Marmon practically justified his claim to honors as Harroun stopped a non-stop performer. Harroun stopped only once in his long flight that dealt the record table a staggering blow, and that once was not because of mechanical trouble, but for the purpose of replenishing fuel.
There were several spectacular finishes and two accidents, and these were gingery enough to satisfy the spectators even if they were not heartily endorsed by the principals. One accident occurred in the 10 miles handicap and Herbert Lytle, whose numerous escapades have earned for him the doubtful honor of being regarded as the „hard luck driver,“ was the victim, Lytle’s accident was as spectacular as it was unusual. Both rear tires blew out within 30 feet of each other and before he could shut off the power the car had swerved into the soft infield and upset Lytle was sent to the emergency hospital with a broken left leg, while William Clifton, his helper, escaped with a sprained right shoulder.
The other accident occurred during the running of the famous Wheeler & Schebler trophy race. Dawson’s car slipped a tire on the backstretch and skidded into the soft dirt inside the edge of the oval. After turning a complete somersault with Dawson still clinging to the wheel, the car stopped, with all the wheels stripped to the hubs. No more spectacular accident ever happened with so little consequence, Dawson not suffering so much as a scratch.
In the early part of the race Chevrolet. following his usual custom, began batting out the laps as though it were his last day on earth and he wished to roll up as many miles as possible in that time. The natural, result was that he soon flunked and Bur- man, his teammate, after whirling some dizzy miles, kept him company in the repair pits. Harroun’s consistency then be came apparent, and he led at 10 miles, with Kincaid running a close second. After the 15th mile Harroun was never headed, while Dawson kept him company until he went through the fence, this occurring in the 61st mile. Lynch, the doughty Jackson man, then began to show his caliber, and ran into second place, which he maintained until the finish, not having stopped once. Aitken, National, finished third; he drove a stock „Forty“ and not a National „Sixty“ as was reported.
One of the interesting features of the meet was a 2½ miles hurdle race for Overland cars. This event raised the curtain to the meet. Two „board hills,“ at an angle of 45 degrees were placed on the track, and the cars had to climb over and descend these artificial bumps. Of the six drivers entered three had the nerve to take both hurdles, Myers finishing the two miles in 3:28.52, excellent time, considering the hazardous nature of the test. Bragg’s Fiat made the best time in the mile trials, and Oldfield, Wilcox and Aitken each captured one of the remaining events.
The summaries:
One mile time trials-Motsinger, Empire, 1:07.1; Lytle, American, 0:44.14; Aitken, National, 0:46.3; Bragg, Fiat, 0:41.3; Harroun, Marmon, 0:42.33; Kerscher, Darracq, 0:41.83.
Ten miles, 301-450 cubic inches-Won by Aitken, National; second, Harroun, Marmon; third, Merz, National. Time, 8:08.3.
Five miles, 451-600 cubic inches – Won by Oldfield, Knox; second, Herr, National; third, Aitken, National. Time, 4:03.24.
Ten miles free-for-all handicap – Won by Wilcox, National; second, Lynch, Jackson; third, Clarke, Cutting. Time, 10:55.33.
Two and one-half miles hurdle race for Overland cars – Won by Myers, 3:28.52; second, McGee, 3:38; fourth, Gregg, 4:43.
Two hundred miles for Wheeler & Schebler trophy – Won by Harroun, Marmon; second, Lynch, Jackson; third, Aitken, National. Time, 2:46:31.
Third Day-May 30th.
Six national championships and the 50 miles race for the Remy Brassard were the features of the closing afternoon’s program to a most successful meeting. The two preceding days had been so successful that 60,000 people attended the final instalment, and they were not short-changed in excitement, either.
Ray Harroun is indeed a much-blessed man. He combines his fund of technical knowledge with a natural gift of fearless driving, and this dual capacity came in handy on Monday. Not only did Harroun ascend to the honor of one of the national championships, but he won the Remy-Brassard, a continuation of the old bicycle idea, the terms of which gift stipulate that Harroun shall draw a weekly stipend of $50 until some other driver wins the arm circlet from him. As the next meeting will not. take place until July Harroun at least is assured of gasolene money until then.
In the six national championship events the honors were well distributed, so that everyone should feel satisfied. Harroun really was the hero of the day. Besides winning the Remy Brassard and one of the titles, he figured in an exciting episode that brought out his nerve in unmistakable manner. While warming up his engine preliminary to one of the events a front tire worked off and Harroun was left to the mercy of uncertain traveling. He did not become flustered, but stuck to the car even though it rushed at the cement barrier at the backstretch, and tore out a four foot section of it. Following this episode Harroun went in the 50 miles grind and won the race. He is a man devoid of nerves. During the afternoon Harroun was called to the front and presented with the Wheeler & Schebler trophy and the $1,000 check which the trophy carried with it.
The first of the championship events run was the 10 miles for cars in the 161-230 cubic inches class and Chevrolet captured the title without any real contention. This was followed by the 5 miles championship for 231-300 machines, and Dawson and Harroun, both on Marmons, ran first and second. The third titular event was at 10 miles for cars of the same engine dimensions, and it provided a close finish between Harroun and Dawson, the former proving victorious. Anderson set the pace until the last lap, when he was out-jockeyed in the spring for the finish.
Aitken and his consistent National car proved victorious in both the 5 and 10 miles championship races for cars with engines between 301 and 450 cubic inches. In both events Kincaid had the runner up position, while Merz was third twice. The 10 miles championship for cars between 451 and 600 cubic inches was won in clever fashion by Oldfield’s Knox, which outran Merz and Kincaid in the final spurt. Caleb Bragg, the so-called amateur, inscribed his name in the books by winning two free-for-all races with his Fiat.
Nine cars started in the 50 miles Remy Brassard Grind and this event was the feature of the closing day. Harroun further endeared himself to the hearts of the „fans“ by his consistent work in this race. He assumed the lead before the 30th mile and easily maintained his position until the finish, breaking the class record in so doing.“ Dawson, his stable mate, was second, and Fuller, in a Pope-Hartford, came in for third award.
The summaries:
Ten miles free-for-all – Won by Bragg, Fiat; second, Kincaid,. National; third, Aitken, National. Time, 7:21.95.
Ten miles National Championship, 161- 230 cubic inches – Won by Chevrolet, Buick; second, Burman, Buick; third, Miller, Warren-Detroit. Time, 9:00.36.
Five Miles National Championship, 231- 300 cubic inches – Won by Dawson, Marmon; second, Harroun, Marmon; third, Anderson, Marion. Time, 4:41.3.
Five miles free-for-all – Won by Bragg, Fiat; second, Kerscher, Darracq; third, Aitken, National. Time, 3:34.70.
One kilometer against time – By Oldfield, Benz, 0:21.45.
Ten miles National Championship, 231- 300 cubic inches – Won by Harroun, Marmon; second, Dawson, Marmon; third, Anderson, Marion. Time, :35.21.
Five miles National Championship, 301- 450 cubic inches – Won by Aitken, National; second, Kincaid, National; third, Merz, National. Time, 4:06.7.
Five miles free-for-all handicap – Won by Reed, Stoddard-Dayton; second, Harvey, National; third, Aitken, National. Time, 3:38.6.
Ten miles National Championship, 451- 600 cubic inches – Won by Oldfield, Knox; second, Merz, National; third, Kincaid, National. Time, 7:50.75.
Ten miles National Championship, 301- 450 cubic inches – Won by Aitken, National; second, Kincaid; National; third, Merz, National. Time, 7:51.71.
Ten miles free-for-all – Won by Bragg, Fiat; second, Kerscher, Darracq; third, Aitken, National. Time, 7:02.6.
One mile against time – By Barney Oldfield, 0:35.6. Fifty miles for Remy Grand Brassard, 231-300 cubic inches – Won by Harroun, Marmon; second, Dawson, Marmon; third, Fuller, Pope-Hartford. Time, 42:41.33.
Photo captions.
Page 525 – 528.
HOW THEY LOOKED COMING DOWN THE STRETCH
CLOSE FINISH IN 10 MILES EVENT, AITKEN WINNING
JOHN AITKEN – CALEB BRAGG, THE „AMATEUR“ – THOMAS KINCAID
Records Established at Indianapolis. (see table in article)
„HURDLING“ THE OBSTACLE IN THE OBSTACLE RACE
HARROUN AND THE MARMON BEETLE IN FULL FLIGHT
LINED UP FOR THE TROPHY RACE – THE START OF THE TROPHY RACE
HOWARD AND W. C. MARMON AND MANAGER RICE
