americas very first auto race was in chicago

hey chicago hambers, on thanksgiving morning at 9:00 at the northwest corner of s. cornell and eastbound midway plaisance, there will be a gathering of gearheads to celebrate the very first auto race EVER held on this continent. in 1895, the very first auto race was held from jackson park to evanston and back again, the only earlier race was in 1893 but it was held in france. anyway, every year, guys all meet at the rock that commerates this race and hang out. i know that the weather is looking grim for turkey day but maybe the car gods will smile a little and hold off the snow so some of us can get there. if you want to go, take lake shore drive south to 57th street westbound to stoney island south to eastbound midway plaisance and follow that to s. cornell. i am sure if you google it there will be a wealth of information about it. also that bill guy from motorsports unlimited ,you know, the show with the chicks in the crazy get ups , will probably be there with cameras rolling. maybe i'll see you there. mike

 

I know this race I am related to the winner Frank Duryea. There were 6 cars two electric battery cars and 3 were made by some guy named Benz from Germany and Franks Car. Race was for 54 miles. cold temps and bad roads forced 4 of the cars to quit. It took Frank 9 hrs. to go the distance with a wopping high speed of 7.5 miles per hour. he won $2000.00 dollars (large sum for back then) and gave him bragging rights that he beat Benz. with the winnings he and his brother started the Duryea Motor Wagon Company and they were the first manufacturer of automobiles in America. Which alot of people don't know.
kool1

 

thanks for the history kool1, i dont think too many people know about this . wasnt duryea involved with general motors some how in the early years? any way, 7.5 miles per hour, those guys were cookin!!! mike