The First American Grand Prix provides an in-depth look at the great motor races that took place in Savannah, Georgia, in the golden era of early road racing: the Grand Prize of the Automobile Club of America and the Vanderbilt Cup.
| Publication Information |
|---|
| ISBN: 9780786476978 |
| RRP: $39.95 USD |
| Format: Paperback, 240 pages, 254mm x 178mm, 2014 |
| Photos/Illustrations: 105 photographs and 4 maps |
| Subject: Motorsport |
| Publisher: McFarland |
| Author: Tanya A Bailey |
The First American Grand Prix: The Savannah Auto Races, 1908 – 1911 by Tanya A Bailey
The First American Grand Prix provides an in-depth look at the great motor races that took place in Savannah, Georgia, in the golden era of early road racing: the Grand Prize of the Automobile Club of America and the Vanderbilt Cup.
By examining Savannah’s earlier fame in national bicycle racing competitions and its ties to the powerful dynasties who controlled the racing world, the book explains how and why Savannah was chosen.
It details the construction of the course, reveals why the races and course were considered “America’s greatest” by international racing experts of the period and includes many biographies of the drivers who came to Savannah.
Finally, the book explores the theories and complexities of why Savannah’s races and road racing in general came to an end.
Acknowledgments ix
Preface 1
Prologue: Early Racing in Savannah 5
1. The Automobile Club of America and the American Automobile Association 15
2. Early Racing in the South 25
3. America’s Finest Course, of Course! 31
4. March 1908 Drivers 47
5. From Triumph to Tragedy in Savannah 61
6. Drivers of the International Light Car and American Grand Prize Races of 1908 80
7. International Light Car Race of 1908 112
8. American Grand Prize of 1908 120
9. Drivers of the 1910 and 1911 Races 135
10. Cars and Races of 1910 147
11. The November 27, 1911, Races: The Tiedeman Trophy, the Savannah Challenge, and the Vanderbilt Cup 167
12. American Grand Prize of 1911 179
13. What Happened to the Great Savannah Races After 1911? 197
Epilogue 205
Appendix: Specifications and Race Results
Specifications: Cars of 1911 206
Race Results, 1908 208
Race Results, 1910 209
Race Results, 1911 210
Notes 212
Bibliography 220
Index 222
Tanya A. Bailey is the owner and curator of the Great Savannah Races Museum in Savannah, Georgia.
She is also an award-winning author, motorsports journalist, media relations volunteer and member of the Horseless Carriage Foundation and Society of Automotive Historians.
She lives in Savannah.
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