Auto Racing

This text highlights races and drivers from the glorious racing days at Wisconsin's short tracks.

The first quarter of the 20th century was a time of dramatic change in auto racing, marked by the move from the horseless carriage to the supercharged Grand Prix racer, from the gentleman driver to the well-publicized professional, and from the dusty road course to the autodrome. This history of the evolution of European and American auto racing from 1900 to 1925 examines transatlantic influences, early dirt track racing, and the birth of the twin-cam engine and the straight-eight. It also explores the origins of the Bennett and Vanderbilt races, the early career of "America's Speed King" Barney Oldfield, the rise of the speedway specials from Marmon, Mercer, Stutz and Duesenberg, and developments from Peugeot, Delage, Ballot, Fiat, and Bugatti. This informative work provides welcome insight into a defining period in motorsports.

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.

Prior to World War I, auto racing featured expensive machines and teams financed by auto factories. The teams toured the country, and most of the races were held in large cities, so the vast majority of Americans never saw a race. All this changed after World War I, though, and in the 1920s and 1930s there were approximately 1,000 dirt tracks in the United States and Canada. The dirt tracks offered small-time racing--little prize money and minimal publicity--but people loved it. This pictorial history documents dirt track racing, with what are today called sprint cars, around the United States from 1919 to 1941. Information on dirt track racing in Canada during this time is also provided. Regionally divided chapters detail the drivers, tracks, and specific races of each area of the country. Some of the drivers went on to win fame and fortune while others faded into obscurity. Tracks included well known facilities as well as out-of-the-way sites few people had ever heard of. The cars ranged from state of the art machines to the more common home built specials based on Model T or Model A Ford parts. Taken together, the drivers, tracks, and races of this era were instrumental in making auto racing the popular sport it is today.

Young sports enthusiasts and nonenthusiasts alike will find something to interest them in the History of Sports series. Each book in the series focuses on a sport, examining its origins and tracing the evolution of rules, strategy, and philosophy of the game. Memorable moments and colorful personalities are discussed in every volume as are the important social and political issues that have shaped and continue to influence the game. Annotated bibliographies, informational sidebars, footnoted sources, numerous photographs, and detailed indexes enhance each book. Book jacket.

Race car 1 honks look at me! He zooms in front with the turn of a key. Race car 2 is close behind. The sound of vroom is on his mind. This simple, rhyming text is perfect for reinforcing counting with young children, and the vibrant, energetic illustrations make this a terrific package for the youngest vehicle enthusiasts.

Alphabet board book for the next generation of motorsports enthusiasts. The book is packed with fun auto related illustrations to teach children.

Includes 550 biographies of drivers, designers, mechanics, and engineers.

Describes the sport of competitive car racing, providing information regarding NASCAR, Formula One, drag racing, and demolition derbies.

From the drivers on the track to the fans packing the grandstands, auto racing is a thrilling sport that gets everyone’s adrenaline pumping. This book dives into the amazing facts that make up auto racing’s greatest stories. Readers will love discovering the history of races like the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, as well as why NASCAR fans call Richard Petty “The King.” Fun graphics show the different flags used in a NASCAR race and just how Americans managed to win an auto race driving from New York City to Paris in 1908!