Aviation: Flying at the Speedway
In 1910, Orville and Wilbur Wright, eager to promote their new-fangled airplanes, sponsored the nation's first air race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
In one race on June 13, Orville flew two laps at about 40 mph to stir crowd interest. Before the week was over, however, spectators complained that nothing much was happening.
Carl G. Fisher, developer of the Speedway, was disappointed in his first ride in a plane and disgusted with the lack of head-to-head competition. "The next airplane show here will be interesting or it won't be at all," he declared.
The next year, the first 500-mile auto race was held at the Speedway, giving race fans a little more by way of excitement.
-- Dawn Mitchell
link to story,
In 1910, Orville and Wilbur Wright, eager to promote their new-fangled airplanes, sponsored the nation's first air race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
In one race on June 13, Orville flew two laps at about 40 mph to stir crowd interest. Before the week was over, however, spectators complained that nothing much was happening.
Carl G. Fisher, developer of the Speedway, was disappointed in his first ride in a plane and disgusted with the lack of head-to-head competition. "The next airplane show here will be interesting or it won't be at all," he declared.
The next year, the first 500-mile auto race was held at the Speedway, giving race fans a little more by way of excitement.
-- Dawn Mitchell
link to story,
