October 11, 1910, it was reported that savannah had „landed the plum“ for that year’s Grand Prize, being now the second one after a 1909 hiatus. As racing date was set on November 12, the Savannah Automobile Club only had merely one month (!) for preparation. But they got to it!
Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory
MOTOR AGE Vol. XXIII, No. 15, October 13, 1910
GRAND PRIX RACE AWARDED TO SAVANNAH
NEW YORK, Oct. 11 – Special telegram – The second renewal of the American grand prix will take place at Savannah, Ga., November 12, instead of on the Long Island motor parkway next Saturday. This is an unexpected switch on the part of the powers that be since last week, but the big race has been before the Motor Cups Holding Co. and the Automobile Club of America since last Thursday, when W. K. Vanderbilt, Jr., decided that because of the adverse criticisms following the running of the Vanderbilt, the Motor Cups Holding Co. would not stage the race next Saturday.
Hardly had the news of this action been sent out before Savannah became a bidder for the plum. Not only did the Savannah Automobile Club strip for action, but the municipal authorities as well joined in the application for the sanction. Promising military protection and a fine course, the Georgians were given a hearty welcome by the New Yorkers, who endorsed the proposition. The contest committee of the Automobile Club of America yesterday acted favorably upon the application, suggesting November 12 as the date and tonight the board of directors of the A. C. A. ratified the action of the committee. The victory was not achieved by default, for besides Savannah, there was talk of running the race in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, because of the masterly manner in which the Quaker City Motor Club had handled the big contest there last Saturday. The Indianapolis and Atlanta speedways also bid for the event, but they had no chance of getting it, because the deed of gift calls for the race being run on the public highway or on a parkway such as the one on Long Island.
It had not been expected that the Motor Cups Holding Co. would abandon the grand prix after its action of last week, when it received the endorsement of the Nassau county supervisors. However, the criticisms on the Vanderbilt did not abate and the Long Island parkway people could not guarantee better protection than was had in the Vanderbilt, and so last Thursday night Mr. Vanderbilt called together the entrants and laid the matter before them. The Motor Cups Holding Co. asked to be relieved of the responsibility of conducting the race, and the entrants adopted a resolution granting its request. The reason given for this action was the alleged un- just and unwarranted criticism of the Vanderbilt, while it also was explained that the suggestion to protect the course with militia was impossible.
The black lines cover the 17-mile 1910 course. (GrocerJack)
Savannah having landed the plum, reports from the Georgian metropolis state that the new promoters have lost no time in getting ready for the event. Earlier in the year when they had asked for the grand prix they had made their plans for a comparatively new course, and so now they are prepared to take advantage of the opening. The old circuit was 24 miles around and had nineteen turns, several of which were very dangerous. The new course that is to be used is an 18-mile circuit with only seven turns and every one of them banked. The starting point will be on Waters road, a new highway which was used for the light-car race in 1908, which is from 20 to 25 feet in width. Norwood avenue, a continuation of Ferguson avenue, takes the place of the Isle of Hope, giving a stretch of 8 miles straightaway, while Waters road is to be used in place of the White Bluff highway. Estill avenue and Thunderbolt road have been cut off the circuit. The finest part of the new route is to be found on Norwood avenue, which is between 40 and 50 feet wide and which will give the contesting drivers an opportunity to make great speed.
The Savannah Automobile Club is being given the strongest support not only by the city officials, but by the county commissioners, board of trade, the chamber of commerce and the military officials, while the governor looks with favor upon this opportunity to again demonstrate Savannah’s ability to handle the international event.
Following the action of the governors of the A. C. A., Arthur W. Solomon, secretary of the Savannah Automobile Club, announced that there will be 2 days of racing. The first day, November 11, will be devoted to two events, one for cars of from 161-230 cubic inches, and the other for cars of from 231-300. The distance of the grand prix itself will be 407 miles, or twenty-two laps. First to enter the 231-300 class event is the Falcar, which has made three nominations, with Pearce, Gel-aw and Hughes as drivers.
Photos.
MAP OF NEW ROAD RACECOURSE AT SAVANNAH
VERNON RIVER – MONTGOMERY ROAD – WHITEFIELD AVE – FERGUSON AVE – MERY CROSS ROAD – INTERMEDIATE CROSS ROAD – WATERS ROAD – DERENNE AVE – SAVANNAH ELECTRIC CO. – PROBABLE GRAND STAND SITE – OLD SKIDAWAY ROAD – LAROCHE AVE – DALE AVE – ESTATE AVE