Ford vs. Chevrolet

Here's another research product provided by First Super Speedway Contributor Ken Parrotte. This is an interesting recount of the Cape May Beach Race Meet of 1905. An interesting angle is that both Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet competed as drivers, even meeting in head-to-head competition. Ford dabbled in racing as a driver, his biggest accomplishments being a victory over the heavily favored Alexander Winton in his Bullet racer developed by his Winton Motor Carriage Company in 1901, and a world land speed record on frozen Lake St. Claire in January 1904. As for Chevrolet, keep in mind his auto manufacturing business did not come into being until 1911. Chevrolet, as a driver, was far more accomplished than Ford, winning numerous races until he retired in 1919.
 
Three other drivers of note took part in these races, among them was Emanuel Cedrino and Walter Christie. The third is especially important to mention - Mrs. Clarence Fitler, who drove a Packard. She was the rare exception of women race drivers along with Joan Cuneo. For the most part, beach racing was essentially primitive drag racing and time trials. There were exceptions where a tall ladder or some such object would placed perhaps a mile from the point of departure and drivers were instructed circle back for some pre-determined number of laps.