On Jan. 9, 1915, AAA and Al Bahr Shrine sponsored a 300 mile road race over a six mile course around Point Loma on roads that exist to this day.
Earl Cooper in Stutz #8 won the race averaging over 65 mph. Only 5 cars finished the grueling route out of 18 cars that started. Racing cars in those days carried a driver as well as a mechanic. Other notable drivers were San Diegan William Carlson, who finished 2nd, Barney Oldfield, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Bob Burman.
On the morning of the great race, an estimated 20-50,000 people spread out along the course to watch the spectacle. The San Diego Union newspaper proclaimed, “It was the greatest throng ever seen at one event in San Diego, excepting, perhaps, the opening of the exposition.” For more information see the 2009 U-T Article “Point Loma site of wild automobile race in 1915″. http://www.utsandiego.com/…/point-loma-site-of-wild-automo…/
On January 10, 2015, this event will be commemorated by the San Diego Horseless Carriage Clubs with a living history car show and tour over the original race course featuring a procession of race cars and horseless carriages. #SDExpoRR
At 10:30 am, the road worthy cars from the show will arrive at the Starting Line at Elliot St. and Rosecrans St. for a ceremonial start. Lead by race cars the caravan will drive one lap of the race route arriving back at the starting/finish line. After the ceremonial lap, the tour will proceed back to Balboa Park for the rest of the car show where drivers and their families will describe the cars and participate in a living history of a 1915 era outing to in the park.
On Jan. 9, 1915, AAA and Al Bahr Shrine sponsored a 300 mile road race over a six mile course around Point Loma on roads that exist to this day.
Earl Cooper in Stutz #8 won the race averaging over 65 mph. Only 5 cars finished the grueling route out of 18 cars that started. Racing cars in those days carried a driver as well as a mechanic. Other notable drivers were San Diegan William Carlson, who finished 2nd, Barney Oldfield, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Bob Burman.
On the morning of the great race, an estimated 20-50,000 people spread out along the course to watch the spectacle. The San Diego Union newspaper proclaimed, “It was the greatest throng ever seen at one event in San Diego, excepting, perhaps, the opening of the exposition.” For more information see the 2009 U-T Article “Point Loma site of wild automobile race in 1915″. http://www.utsandiego.com/.../point-loma-site-of-wild.../
On January 10, 2015, this event will be commemorated by the San Diego Horseless Carriage Clubs with a living history car show and tour over the original race course featuring a procession of race cars and horseless carriages. #SDExpoRR
At 10:30 am, the road worthy cars from the show will arrive at the Starting Line at Elliot St. and Rosecrans St. for a ceremonial start. Lead by race cars the caravan will drive one lap of the race route arriving back at the starting/finish line. After the ceremonial lap, the tour will proceed back to Balboa Park for the rest of the car show where drivers and their families will describe the cars and participate in a living history of a 1915 era outing to in the park.
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