The 1911 Indianapolis 500: The start of a phenomenon – Organizing several events at their Speedway had not brought the expected results for its four owners headed by Carl Fisher. So, they changed their strategy in dramatic fashion. From now on one single event each year on Memorial Day (May 30^th) but one that would gain everyone’s attention. An endurance event over 500 miles with the start at 11:00 that should enable the attendants to travel to and from the Speedway by daylight. Don’t forget the Vanderbilt Cup race experience. To tease participants an up till then unseen amount of prize money to race for, a „lure o’gold“ was available. It was a gamble beyond belief, but in the end, Fisher & Co’s gambling has paid and stood the test of time until today.
In this first-ever long-distance international race on the Speedway, only American drivers contested. But it would not take long, before the starting field became all-international. Ray Harroun in a Marmon was the winner; the only single-seat car with a rearview mirror. During the last part of the race, several cars crashed and damaged the time-keeper’s house, causing confusion as to who was the winner of this first 500-mile race. In the end, however, all was settled. Finally, the race was an absolute succes in terms of organisation and public interest, confirming IMS’s ideas from the start.