As soon as there were automobiles, there was racing. The first recorded race, an over road event from Paris to Rouen, France, was organized by the French newspaper Le Petit Journal in 1894. Seeing an opportunity for a similar event, Hermann H. Kohlsaat--publisher of the Chicago Times-Herald--sponsored what was hailed as the "Race of the Century," a 54-mile race from Chicago's Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois, and back. Frank Duryea won in a time of 10 hours and 23 minutes, of which 7 hours and 53 minutes were actually spent on the road. Race cars and competition have progressed continuously since that time, and today's 200 mph races bear little resemblance to the event Duryea won. This work traces American auto racing through the 20th century, covering its significant milestones, developments and personalities. Subjects included are: Bill Elliott, dirt track racing, board track racing, Henry Ford, Grand Prix races, Dale Earnhardt, the Vanderbilt Cup, Bill France, Gordon Bennett, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Mercer, the Stutz, Duesenberg, Frank Lockhart, drag racing, the Trans Am, Paul Newman, vintage racing, land speed records, Al Unser, Wilbur Shaw, the Corvette, the Cobra, Richard Petty, NASCAR, Can Am, Mickey Thompson, Roger Penske, Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon, and Formula One. Through interviews with participants and track records, this text shows where, when and how racing changed. It describes the growth of each different form of auto racing as well as the people and technologies that made it ever faster.
A best seller and winner of the Antique Automobile Club of America's prestigious Thomas McKean Award. The Golden Age of the American Racing Car emphasizes the human side of racing...
Tycoons, Scorchers, and Outlaws charts how auto racing was shaped by class tensions between the millionaires who invented it, the public who resented their seizure of the public roads, and the working class drivers who viewed the sport as a ...
Packed with facts and action, this is a book young NASCAR fans will reach for again and again -- and because it comes from Matt Christopher, young readers know they're getting the best sports writing on the shelf.
"The Legend of the First Super Speedway," is a gritty tale punctuated by humor that chronicles the hero's journey through the pioneering age of American auto racing.
Fast Company: The Men and Machines of American Auto Racing
The win earned him the title “ the Negro Speed King . " Courtesy Mrs. Mildred Overton the time he stopped the race . Second - place honors went to Ben Carter , who had led Bill Jeffries by only two seconds . The winner's circle was a ...
Traces the history of stock car racing and looks at major drivers, teams, and racetracks.
BRYANT : No , he wouldn't , but he never beat Dennis Hulme in a fair fight . I really should have tried to hire Jackie Stewart or Parnelli Jones . Jackie always raced better than he qualified , and he did a good job , but Dennis Hulme ...
... 247, 260, 273 Slick 50 300, 153 Slim Jim All Pro Series, 154, 157, 179, 198, 281 Smith, Bruton, 153, ... Texas Motor Speedway, 313 Thomas, Isiah, 250 Thomas, Tuesday, 226, 312 Thompson, Tommy, 24–25, 44, 47, 115 Todd,J.R., ...
Modern color photos are accompanied by the stories of those who drove the cars at dragstrips across America.