First Auto Races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - August 1909

This folder has numerous articles on the inaugural auto races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These races occurred only days after the Speedway hosted the Federation of American Motorcycles (FAM) race meet. The auto races were a blend of success and tragedy. Most of the major American drivers entered – Barney Oldfield, Ray Harroun, Bob Burman, Tom Kincaid, Lewis Strang, Louis Chevrolet, Jap Clemens, Charlie Merz, Eddie Hearne, Ralph De Palma and Tobin DeHymel among them. With the exception of a Fiat and a Benz, the entries were American, including: Marmon, Marion, Stearns, National, Jackson, Stoddard-Dayton, Buick and Apperson. Tragedy came in the loss of several lives, including Willfred Bourque, who became the first driver to die in a racing accident at the Speedway.

IMS Schedule, August 19-21 1909

This schedule for the upcoming first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races appeared in the August 15, 1909 Indianapolis Star.
 
Entries & Officials IMS 1909

This article comments on new entries and slate of officials for the first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway appeared in the August 15, 1909, Indianapolis Star.
 
Chalmers, IMS Facilities, Road Race Costs

This attachment to this entry contains articles concerning the upcoming first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races. It originally appeared in the August 15, 1909 Indianapolis Star.
 
Danger Draws Crowds to IMS

This article, published in the August 21, 1909 Indianapolis Star, comments on the role the danger played in drawing sizable crowds to the first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Directions to IMS - 1909

The attachments to this entry contain one article each that provide driving instructions to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for fans want to attend the upcoming first automobile races held at  the new track.
Procedures for Protest @ IMS

The attachment to this entry contains an article on officiating procedures for the upcoming first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races. It originally appeared in the August 15, 1909 Indianapolis Star.
 
Rule Makers Convene in Indy - 1909

The first attachment to this entry contains an article on a convention for the rule makers of auto racing in 1909 to tackle the pressing issues of managing competition events. Logically the men involved decided to coincide their meeting with the upcoming first automobile races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races held August 19 - 21.
The City Backs the Speedway

The three attachments, each with articles describing the enthusiasm of the Indianapolis business community for the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway, can be found below.
 
IMS Practice, Day 2

This article first appeared in the August 17, 1909 Indianapolis Star and reported on preparations for the first automobile races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 19-21.
 
Cliff Literall Injured, IMS Practice

The article in attachment IMSpractice091809 you will find here originally appeared in the August 18, 1909, Indianapolis Star as part of the ongoing coverage of events leading up to the first automobile races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which were to begin the following day.