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Researched by Zach B. |
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Introduction
The
Indianapolis 500 is an amazing race. Ray Harroun, my 4th cousin
twice removed, won the first race, in 1911. The founder of this
race is Carl Fisher. Over the years the construction of cars and
the racetrack have changed, and there have been many tragedies.
Also, new present day cars are more aerodynamic and durable than cars
in history.
History
In 1911, the Indianapolis 500 officially began racing cars on the track.
Although
the race started in 1911, the speedway (racetrack) opened in
1909. For those two years hot air balloon races and motorcycle
races were held at the track. Before Indianapolis (Indy) 500
races started, the racetrack was paved with crushed stone and
tar. This pavement would be too dangerous, and
insufficient. This led to repaving with 3,200,000 red
bricks. Ray Harroun bested 39 other racers in 1911, invented the
rearview mirror, and Carl Fisher founded the Indy 500 in
1911. Fisher made two vital decisions; he decided to only hold
one race per year, and to offer the richest purse as reward to the
winner. Carl’s risk of putting down so much money was rare in
racing. In 1923, Fisher decided he would no longer run the Indy
500. However, in 1927 Eddie Rickenbacker bought the speedway for
$750,000, and continued the races.
Construction of Cars
Early
Indy cars had “doghouse” bodies. These consisted of wooden
floorboards. Also, the body of the car only covered the cockpit
and engine. The four wheels were made from ash wood. Metal
buckets that were bolted to the floor were used as seats. Then,
by 1922, almost all cars were more aerodynamic than before. Also,
the first technical racecar was a Quadra cycle steam engine. The
difference between these two cars is that an Indy car uses gasoline or
an alcohol-based fuel, while steam engines are powered by steam.
Tragedies
A
famous racer by the name of Art Pollard died, in 1953, when his car
skidded into a pole, snapped in half, and flipped back onto the track
spewing flames all over the track. Salt Walther’s car got tied up
in with Pollard’s car injuring Salt critically. These two crashes
led to a 12-car crash, which injured 13 spectators. Another,
terrible tragedy happened on the 2nd lap of the 1964 Indy 500.
Seven cars crashed, killing two famous racers: Dave MacDonald, and
Eddie Sachs. After this crash occurred, The Star’s George Moore
banned gasoline and required use of an alcohol-based fuel.
Speedway
The
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The track is a total of 2 ½ miles long. It is also the largest
banked oval in the United States. Carl Fisher bought this track in
1910, to hold the Indy 500 each year. The speedway is also home
to the Indy Motor Speedway museum. Once every year only one race
is held; on Memorial Day. The speedway also got the nickname, The
Brickyard. It got its nickname because of the 3,200,000 red
bricks it was repaved with.
Racing before Indianapolis 500
Car
racing before the Indy 500 was very different. Races were held on
private roads. Also, you would race against a clock, not against
other competitors. This became very hazardous and hosted many
crashes. Luckily the Indy 500 was born. This race averaged
a total of 40 racers and many, many fans. Racers would travel a
total of 500 miles around the track. Since the track is 2 ½ miles
long they would have to travel 200 laps.
Conclusion
As
you can see, many changes have occurred throughout the years of the
Indy 500. Such as, racing standards, pavements of the speedway,
construction of cars, and tragedies throughout the Indianapolis 500.
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