RitcheyRch
05-30-2007, 07:17 AM
May 30, 1911: Gentlemen, Start Your Engines at the Indy 500
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/05/dayintech_0530
1911: The first Indianapolis 500 automobile race is run.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was opened to great fanfare in 1906, meant to serve both as a test track and a racing venue. The first race, a five-mile sprint held on Feb. 9, 1909, was a complete catastrophe. Six people -- two drivers, two mechanics and two spectators -- were killed as the track broke up under the pounding of the cars.
With the track resurfaced, the Speedway's principal partner, Carl Fisher, decided something more spectacular was needed to erase the memories of that first debacle. His idea: a marathon race that would allow the cars to run full out for a long period of time. Welcome to the Indy 500.
The original, rectangular Speedway track measured 2.5 miles around, meaning that 200 laps were required to complete the race. That remains the configuration to this day.
The winner that first year, Ray Harroun, averaged 74.59 miles per hour to best 39 other drivers in a race that lasted six hours and 42 minutes.
Sam Hornish Jr., who nipped Marco Andretti at the flag to win the Indy 500 in 2006, won the pole position for this year's race averaging 228.985 mph over four laps.
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/05/dayintech_0530
1911: The first Indianapolis 500 automobile race is run.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was opened to great fanfare in 1906, meant to serve both as a test track and a racing venue. The first race, a five-mile sprint held on Feb. 9, 1909, was a complete catastrophe. Six people -- two drivers, two mechanics and two spectators -- were killed as the track broke up under the pounding of the cars.
With the track resurfaced, the Speedway's principal partner, Carl Fisher, decided something more spectacular was needed to erase the memories of that first debacle. His idea: a marathon race that would allow the cars to run full out for a long period of time. Welcome to the Indy 500.
The original, rectangular Speedway track measured 2.5 miles around, meaning that 200 laps were required to complete the race. That remains the configuration to this day.
The winner that first year, Ray Harroun, averaged 74.59 miles per hour to best 39 other drivers in a race that lasted six hours and 42 minutes.
Sam Hornish Jr., who nipped Marco Andretti at the flag to win the Indy 500 in 2006, won the pole position for this year's race averaging 228.985 mph over four laps.