G&J Trophy

This is an image of a trophy sponsored by G&J Tires and it was used as the prize for a motorcycle race held in the autumn of 1908 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds 1-mile dirt oval horse track. That venue had long ago established itself as the default track racing venue in Indianapolis and the surrounding area.  An article in the Indianapolis Star was associated with the image and reported on the plans for the event.
 
The article discusses an Indiana Motorcycle Club meeting and banquet at 119 West Maryland Street to plan the contest. The meeting was chaired by Charles Wyatt, the Indiana Motorcycle Club president. Entry fees, types of races and whether the event was to be "closed" (limited to club members) or "open" were discussed. Among the attendees were such notables as Erwin Baker and Harry Dipple along with other local riders and officials.
 
G&J was a tire product produced by the Gormully & Jeffery Manufacturing Company. That company started life as a bicycle company in the 1880's. The owners, Thomas B. Jeffery, and R. Phillip Gormully, evolved the product line to include some of the first pneumatic bicycle tires, and then on to tires for motorcycles, and automobiles, and eventually automobiles. They were the first to use the "Rambler" brand for a vehicle. G&J also sponsored a trophy for an automobile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.