Forgotten Automobile Pioneers

Only auto racing historians true race-fan aficionados are aware of the following two tremendous names in the sport's history: Apperson and Hanshue. You need an understanding of the contributions of these men to fully grasp the rich history of our sport and automobiles in general.
 
The brothers Elmer and Edgar Apperson were at the dawn of both the American automobile and racing them. Collaborating with the elder Elwood Haynes they produced what may have been America's first automobile in 1894. A year later, they supported Haynes in the Chicago Times-Herald auto race. There were six cars in the contest, which was won by Frank Duryea the distance of 54 miles at an average of 7 MPH.

The Appersons parted ways with Haynes to strike out on their own. Based in Kokomo, their firm was easily one of the greatest automobile manufacturing companies in the history of Indiana. They saw auto racing as an effective way to develop and prove their products while strengthening the brand.
 
As the first decade of the 20th Century tilted toward its conclusion, forces very relevant to the Apperson's fortunes emerged on the Pacific Coast. Leon T. Shettler ran a SoCal auto sales dealership that included Apperson cars. The featured model was the "Jack Rabbit," a sports roadster known for performance. Shettler ran an independent race team and his competition driver was Harris Hanshue.
 
Hanshue was more than just a lead foot, but a smart driver who knew how to pace his machine and care for tires. Versatile, he enthusiastically tackled road courses, board tracks, dirt tracks, and hill climbs. In 1909 Hanshue wheeled Shettler's Jack Rabbit to five victories and two second-place finishes in eight West Coast contests.
 
The Appersons watched with tremendous interest, especially as Pacific region sales soared. They contracted Hanshue to drive their factory entry for the coming 1910 season. Shettler, not to be cast aside, was asked to serve as team manager.

Together they enjoyed a successful 1910 and continued on with accomplishment in their careers. Elmer knew great success, but his life was cut short when he suffered a heart attack while spectating at one of the first Beverly Hills Speedway board track races in 1920. Edgar sold his shares in their company before its demise leading up to the Great Depression. He retired to Arizona where he passed in 1959 at nearly 89 years old.
 
Hanshue took a turn into aviation, which was not uncommon among the automotive pioneers riding the technology curve of mechanized transportation. He founded Western Air Express, focused on early airmail. Through corporate mergers, he eventually ended up as president of Trans World Airlines (TWA).
 
To learn more, click thru to First Super Speedway where such thought leaders live on.