Merits of National Circuit Assessed

This article about the American Automobile Association's (AAA) plans to present a "national circuit" first appeared in the January 23, 1910 Indianapolis Star. This is a follow-up report on these intentions as announced January 16. The earlier article indicated that the decision to announce a national circuit would cull out the top races of the year and withdraw support for record runs at the short dirt tracks hosting "barnstorming" contests such as the outlaw events Barney Oldfield was famous for staging.
 
This point is not reiterated in the follow-up article which takes a higher road citing the prestige of the national circuit events, making them superior platforms for manufacturer sales and marketing efforts. These strategic direction was almost certainly a precursor to the national points championship staged in 1916. Also, the early "lost championship of 1905" is briefly referenced as well as a note that Ernie Moross was associated with promoting the events which were all staged at horse tracks. This championship was won by Barney Oldfield.
 
The cities mentioned as likely hosts for the new national championship races were: Detroit; Cleveland; Pittsburg; Columbus; Cincinnati; Louisville; St. Louis; Milwaukee; Washington and Buffalo. Among the advantages of the new approach was the assumption that by having the AAA contest board plan the schedule it would be more carefully considered and logical which would reduce distances between events and cut transportation costs.
 
Proponents of the new system also believed it would better develop the talents of drivers and introduce new men to the profession to make for higher quality and more exciting racing. Stock chassis cars were to be showcased according to classes established by the AAA. Interestingly, the article submits that events for "special" cars and "record breakers" would also be organized. This suggests there was a recognition within the AAA and manufacturers that fans had an appetite for competition between purpose-built or "freak" racing machines.