The First American Grand Prix: The Savannah Auto Races, 1908-1911

by Tanya A. Bailey

Overview

This book 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476615226
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	05/21/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	10 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Tanya A. Bailey is a PhD Candidate in Cultural Studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. She is an award-winning author and researcher in Technology, Race and Gender. The former owner of The Great Savannah Races Museum continues to exhibit her early automobile racing collection virtually and at pop up events throughout North America and Europe.
Tanya A. Bailey is a PhD Candidate in Cultural Studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. She is an award-winning author and researcher in Technology, Race and Gender. The former owner of The Great Savannah Races Museum continues to exhibit her early automobile racing collection virtually and at pop up events throughout North America and Europe.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Prologue: Early Racing in Savannah
1. The Automobile Club of America and the American Automobile Association
2. Early Racing in the South
3. America’s Finest Course, of Course!
4. March 1908 Drivers
5. From Triumph to Tragedy in Savannah
6. Drivers of the International Light Car and American Grand Prize Races of 1908
7. International Light Car Race of 1908
8. American Grand Prize of 1908
9. Drivers of the 1910 and 1911 Races
10. Cars and Races of 1910
11. The November 27, 1911, Races: The Tiedeman Trophy, the Savannah Challenge, and the Vanderbilt Cup
12. American Grand Prize of 1911
13. What Happened to the Great Savannah Races After 1911?
Epilogue
Appendix: Specifications and Race Results
 Specifications: Cars of 1911
 Race Results, 1908
 Race Results, 1910
 Race Results, 1911
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Fantastic retrospective...definitely a must-read”—Horseless Carriage

From the Publisher

fantastic retrospective...Bailey's attention to detail here is evident, as well as what obviously was a great deal of painstaking research in preparation of this book...highly recommend...a must-read. Congratulations to Tanya for providing such a fantastic book

Horseless Carriage Foundation

profusely illustrated...belongs on the book shelf of anyone interested in automobile racing in the early years of the Twentieth Century

SAH Journal

fantastic retrospective...definitely a must-read

Horseless Carriage