ca. 1915. Bob Burman sails around a curve at the Tacoma Speedway behind the wheel of his Peugeot, #9. The photograph was probably taken at the July 4, 1915 Montamarathon Classic in which Burman finished fourth. Burman broke into racing as the driver of a Buick, part of a team including Louis Chevrolet and Lewis Strang. The trio won more races and broke more records than any team racing. After Chevrolet retired and Strang was killed, Burman struck out on his own. He set the speed record on Daytona Beach, one mile in 25 2/5 seconds at 141 mph, earning the title "Speed King." His most prominent characteristic as a driver was his fearlessness. He was killed in a crash in Corona, California in 1916. TPL-2949 (Tacoma Tribune 7/4/1915, pg. 12)

Burman, Bob; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920;

ca. 1915. Harry O'Brien and his "mechanician" zipping around the $100,000 Tacoma Speedway in their "Great Big Baked Potato Special" during the July, 1915, Montamara Festo races. #33 was believed to be in reality a Stutz. Mr. O'Brien had planned to race both the InterCity Century 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile events on July 5th. How he placed in the InterCity was not known but his "Baked Potato" did not run in the Potlatch. Only eight cars started in the Potlatch, the final race of the festival, as the others were too damaged by the previous races to compete. The InterCity was won by Jim Parsons for the third time in 1:15:27 while Mercer ace Eddie Pullen shattered Earl Cooper's chances of repeating as champion in the Potlatch. (TNT ad 7-4-15, p. 2; TDN 7-6-15, p. 5-results)

O'Brien, Harry; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

ca. 1915. At the wheel of the "Great Big Baked Potato Special" is driver Harry O'Brien. The #33 car was entered in both the InterCity 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile races at the Tacoma Speedway during the 4th of July holiday weekend in 1915. The "Baked Potato" was believed to be a Stutz and the Stutzs and Mercers entries had withdrawn from the InterCity race. The car also did not run in the Potlatch on July 5th as only eight cars started the race. TPL-128

O'Brien, Harry; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

ca. 1915. "The Famous Tacoma Speedway, Annually the Scene of Exciting Automobile Races" This photograph was believed to have been taken in 1915. The grandstands are full of excited spectators while many others view the action from their parked cars across the way. Winners that year were Grover Ruckstell in the Montamarathon, Eddie Pullen in the Golden Potlatch and three-time winner Jim Parsons in the InterCity 100. TPL-8065

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Grandstands--Lakewood; Sports spectators--Lakewood;

ca. 1915. Veteran driver Barney Oldfield, chewing on his ever-present Havana, at the wheel during the July, 1915 Tacoma Speedway races. He took his first spin around the board track on June 26th, declaring it "a wonder." Mr. Oldfield drove his #1 Peugeot in both the Golden Potlatch 200-mile and Montamarathan 250-mile races. This is the car he bought from Dario Resta who had previously won the Vanderbilt Cup and Grand Prix races in San Francisco as new foreign cars were not available due to the European war. He also brought his special Fiat Cyclone and 300 hp Christie to town to attempt world records; those cars did not compete in the actual races as they did not meet piston displacement rules. Barney Oldfield finished fifth with a time of 3 hours, 17 minutes in the big Montamarathon race on July 4th and third in the Golden Potlatch on the following day. (TDL 6-27-15, p. 20-article; TDL 7-5-15, p. 1-results; TDL 7-6-15, p. 1,2-results; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-2-22, C-1-photo) TPL-3162

Oldfield, Barney; Automobile racing drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Cigars;

This is George Hill and his "mechanician" in car #2, a Stutz, on the Tacoma Speedway wood-based track in 1915. Mr. Hill was one of a trio racing Stutzs including Earl Cooper and Dave Lewis. He had entered both the big 250-mile Montamarathon and 200-mile Golden Potlach races held on July 4-5, 1915. If the #2 car looked familiar, it should have been. It was the old #8 "ghost" Stutz of Earl Cooper's with which he (Mr. Cooper) had won the 1913 Golden Potlatch and the 1913 & 1914 Montamarathon events. Unfortunately, it did not win either race for Mr. Hill. He failed to finish the Montamarathon when his car caught fire and subsequently was too damaged to compete in the Potlatch. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-4-15, p. 1-article; TDN 7-5-15, p. 1,2-results)

Hill, George; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Stutz automobile;

Driving Stutz #2 in the 1915 Montamara Festo races was George Hill, accompanied by his unidentified "mechanician." The big race car formerly ran successfully under the number 8 when driven by Earl Cooper. In 1915 Mr. Cooper chose to drive another Stutz which had come in 4th at the Indy 500 and his old #8 "ghost" was re-numbered 2. Mr. Hill was one of 13 drivers in the big Montamarathon event but his car caught fire and he was eliminated from the race. He had also entered his vehicle in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch but was not one of the eight cars who eventually started. TPL-4426 (TDN 7-5-15, p.1,2 -results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Hill, George; Stutz automobile;

Frank Elliott in his car #5, the "Gordon Special," leads the way during what is probably the InterCity 100-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway held in early July of 1915. He would eventually finish second with a time of 1:20:28, two laps behind three-time winner Jim Parsons of Seattle, shown in the background in the Parsons Special, #22. Twelve cars from the Pacific Northwest had entered the race on July 5th but only six finished. T.F. Barsby came in third in his Velie Special and Earl Staley fourth in his Studebaker. The Mercer and Stutz entries were withdrawn from the InterCity. Mr. Elliott had also submitted entries to the big 250-Montamarathon and the Golden Potlatch 200-mile races. He finished sixth in the Montamarathon won by Grover Ruckstell. Although 21 drivers had entered the Potlatch which was run the day after the Montamarathon and on the same day as the InterCity, only eight were in condition to start with the others too damaged to race. Mr. Elliott's Gordon Special did start but did not win. TPL-1641 (TDN 7-6-15, p. 5-article; TDL 7-6-15, p. 1, 2 -results)

Elliott, Frank; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

Jim Parsons and "mechanician" in his #22 Parsons Special on the track at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1915. Mr. Parsons had entered his race car in all three of the races held over the July 4-5 holiday. In 1914 his car ran under the Frantz label and was accorded the #7. In 1915, his vehicle was entered as the Parsons Special and it wore the #22. No matter what his car number was his record remained impeccable in the InterCity 100-mile race. With an average speed of 79 1/2 mph, he won the race for the third consecutive time and got to keep the trophy. In 1915 the big 250-mile race, the Montamarathon, was run on July 4th and the two other races, the InterCity 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile, followed on the 5th. This was in reverse order from 1914. TPL-1643 (TDL 7-6-15, p.1-2-results)

Parsons, Jim; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

This is believed to be the Velie Special driven by T.F. Barsby who finished third in the July 5, 1915, InterCity 100-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway. The race was won by Jim Parsons of Seattle for the third consecutive year. Frank Elliott in his Gordon Special came in second. Twelve cars were entered but only six finished. TPL-3166 (TDL 7-6-15, p. 1,2 -results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

On July 4, 1915, Earl Cooper approaches the checkered flag in his Stutz racing car at the Tacoma Speedway, finishing second in the Montamarathon. The crowd of 20,000 spectators stands and cheers. Cooper had won the 250 mile race in 1913 and 1914 and had hopes of retaining the perpetual trophy for the Montamarathon, second only in importance to Indianapolis's 500. His hopes were dashed by his second place finish at 2: 58: 5. Grover Ruckstell finished first at 2:57. The track's split board planking consisted of 2 x 4 planks which were laid end to end and were a hazard to the car's tires. The race was also marked by the board track's first fatalities. Billy Carlson's Maxwell 17 blew a tire and left the track in the 60th lap, launching both Carlson and his mechanic in the air. The mechanic, Paul Franzen, was killed instantly and Carlson died later that day of injuries. TPL-130, Speedway glass- 040 (Tacoma Tribune 7/5/1915, pg. 1 & 2)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Cooper, Earl;

Earl Cooper in his #8 Stutz motors past the checkered flag on July 4, 1915, at the 250-mile Montamarathon held at the Tacoma Speedway. Thirteen cars had started on the "lattice" track which consisted of 2 x 4 Washington fir planks over which gravel, sand and hot oil were applied. Mr. Cooper had hoped to retain his title in the big race which he had won for two consecutive years but came in a close second to Grover Ruckstell in his red Mercer. Mr. Ruckstell's time was 2:57 which nipped Mr. Cooper's 2:58:5. Although Mr. Cooper's car was numbered 8 which had graced the car previously and was still a Stutz racer, it was not the same car that won him the previous titles. This particular #8 had finished fourth at Indy. Mr. Cooper's old #8 Stutz was re-numbered 2 and driven by George Hill. (TDL 7-5-15, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-4-15, p. 1-article)

Cooper, Earl; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Stutz automobile;

ca. 1914. Jim Parsons' #7 Frantz race car is parked in the pit area of the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914 while a vehicle carrying a load of tires slowly backs in front of it. Other tires have already been unloaded and are piled upright nearby. The grandstands are nearly empty indicating this may have been practice time at the Speedway instead of the actual July races. Jim Parsons, from Seattle, would go on to win the InterCity 100 race three consecutive years, 1913-1915, allowing him to keep the perpetual challenge trophy. TPL-4424

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Frantz automobile; Tires; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1914. Unidentified driver in car # 19 at Tacoma Speedway. May be Lou Sorrell in his 120-hp Fiat. The big Fiat was entered by Mack Sennett of Los Angeles in the races held during the Montamara Festo week of July, 1914. There were a total of 26 cars entered in the three sanctioned events spanning July 3 and 4th. Total prizes were $10,500. The Fiat was said to be the largest car entered. Driver Sorrell (also spelled Sorell in the newspapers) was said to be a well known driver back East but unknown in the Northwest. (TDL 6-29-14, p. 2-article; TNT 6-28-14, 2D-article)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. Lumber to be used to build Tacoma's wooden track in stacks at the Speedway. Prior to 1914, the two-mile oval Tacoma Speedway was a dirt track which often provided a jolting, tough ride. When it rained and the track became too soggy for use, races were cancelled. In 1914 a split board track consisting of Washington fir 2 x 4's replaced the dirt. These planks were laid on edge, 5/8th of an inch apart, and nailed down. 2,000,000 feet of lumber, board measure, were used and 72 miles of wire were necessary to make the nails. The spaces between the planks were filled with 2500 cubic yards of gravel and sand. About 500 barrels of Richmond road oil were applied hot to the surface and about 400 cubic yards of sand was spread on top of the oil. This method would hopefully prevent holes from appearing in the track thereby lessening the chance of accidents. Several auto racers, including Earl Cooper, Jim Parsons, Hughie Hughes, Billy Carlson, Wilbur De Alene and G.E. Ruckstell, had previously advised that the Speedway should be paved with creosote wood blocks instead to make it the fastest and safest auto racetrack in the world. The ride would be smoother and it would be easier on the tires and less strain on the driver. (TNT 7-5-14, 5-B-article on creosote blocks) (information on track construction: Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Lumber;

ca. 1914. Frank Verbeck behind the wheel of his Fiat (car # 11) on the track at the Tacoma Speedway for the July 1914 races. His mechanic, who will ride with Mr. Verbeck in the Fiat "70" in the 200-mile and 250-mile races, is the world and Olympic champion hurdler Forrest C. Smithson. Frank Verbeck had come to Tacoma in 1912 to race but not in 1913. His car, the Fiat "70," had been entered in the previous two years and was driven in 1913 by a previous holder of the Montamarathon trophy, "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff. In 1914 Mr. Tetzlaff chose to drive a Maxwell so Mr. Verbeck, a former teammate of Mr. Tetzlaff, decided to drive the Fiat. The News Tribune called Frank Verbeck "one of the nerviest and most sensational drivers of the Pacific Coast aggregation." Despite a valiant effort, Mr. Verbeck had continued problems with his car and was excused by the referee in the 13th lap of the final race when the car was in 10th place. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-2- results)

Verbeck, Frank; Smithson, Forrest C.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. Crowds in stands at Tacoma Speedway July 4th - probably 1914. In 1914, over 35,000 spectators packed the grandstand and lined the field fences at the closing race of the Montamara Festo season. They had paid $1.00 for field admission and from $1.50 to $3.00 for the grandstand. The auto racing was possibly the highlight of the abbreviated July 2-4th week which featured fireworks, shows, spectacles and vaudeville. It cost the city about $100,000 to put on the annual event. There were three sanctioned races at the Tacoma Speedway with a total prize of $10,500 which drew entries from the Pacific Northwest, California and even one Englishman (Hughie Hughes). The speed kings were in town and even their practices drew crowds of over 12,000. Winner of the final race and holder of the Montamarathon trophy was Californian Earl Cooper in his #8 Stutz "Ghost." Mr. Cooper was the reigning champ who successfully defended his title. (TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Sports spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1914. Joe Thomas behind the wheel of his Mercer automobile at the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914. His "mechanician" is believed to be named Kindic. Mr. Thomas, from Seattle, was entered solely in the InterCity 100-mile race on July 3rd. He did not place in the top 5. In 1915 Mr. Thomas again entered the InterCity race but his Mercer failed to start. Unlike many of his colleagues, he survived his racing career and by 1939, was the head of the Washington State safety inspection station in Tacoma.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Mercer automobile; Thomas, Joe;

ca. 1914. In 1914 Charles Webster Latta of Seattle returned to the Tacoma Speedway for the annual July Montamarathon Festo races. He had competed in the Golden Potlatch 200-mile race in 1913 at the Speedway and finished a very respectable third behind eventual winner Earl Cooper and well-known national star Bob Burman. In 1914 he captured third place in the InterCity 100-mile race with a Lozier, rather than the Interstate he had used in the Potlatch the year before. Jim Parsons repeated as winner of the InterCity with S.F. Brock of Portland in second place. (Local newspapers referred to Mr. Latta as "N." Latta) (TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results) TPL-1646

Latta, Charles Webster; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Lozier automobile;

ca. 1914. Herman C. Terrien of Tacoma sits behind the wheel of his small Regal along with his "mechanician" Oscar Soderburg as the duo prepares for their entry in the InterCity 100-mile race scheduled for July 3, 1914 at the Tacoma Speedway. The car, dubbed the "Pacific Car Special," was altered at the Pacific Car Co., hence its name. As with racing cars of the time, the tires and steering wheel seem exceptionally large. The "Pacific Car Special" was one of twelve cars entered in the first race of the 1914 Montamara Festo which was restricted to cars from the Pacific Northwest. The InterCity race was won again by Jim Parsons of Seattle in his Frantz car. TPL-1638 (See Speedway 002 for close up of drivers)

Terrien, Herman C.; Soderburg, Oscar; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Regal automobile;

ca. 1914. Frank Verbeck and his "mechanician," Forrest C. Smithson are pictured in their Fiat "70" which had been entered in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch and 250-mile Montamarathon races at the Tacoma Speedway in early July of 1914. Mr. Verbeck had raced in Tacoma in 1912 but not the following year. He held the 24 hour record on the Los Angeles motordrome. The Fiat had been the car of Mr. Verbeck's former teammate, "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff, who this year would run in a Maxwell. Mr. Verbeck along with several other notable racers showed up about two weeks before the race along with their cars. Forrest C. Smithson, the "mechanician," was a world class hurdler who was making his first appearance in Tacoma. He was an Olympic champion in 1908 and held numerous American records. TPL-10151 (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D-alt. photograph & article)

Verbeck, Frank; Smithson, Forrest C.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. Driver named Billy Taylor behind the wheel of an Alco "six" at the Tacoma Speedway with an unidentified mechanic probably during the July 3 & 4, 1914, races. Racers at that time were accompanied by their mechanics who were able to fit into the streamlined vehicles. Mr. Taylor was from Los Angeles and drove the vehicle owned by A. H. Woolacott, a broker and member of the Los Angeles Stock Exchange. He would end up in fifth place during the final race for the Montamarathon trophy, completing 250 miles without more than one stop for tire change. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-results; Sunday Daily Ledger, 7-5-14, p. 1+-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Alco automobile; Taylor, Billy;

ca. 1914. Driver and his "mechanician" at Tacoma Speedway. The driver behind the wheel is possibly Jack A. Croston, a Tacoma resident who entered the July 3, 1914 InterCity 100-mile race limited to cars from cities in the Pacific Northwest. He had car #1 and was the first entrant. His Chevrolet had a very small motor, one of the smallest of the cars entered. Mr. Croston was the manager of the Chevrolet Motor Sales Co. and had a great deal of experience in Buicks, Nationals and Chevys. The man seated next to him is possibly J.J. Crane, his "mechanician." Mr. Crane, also of Tacoma, was the head of Tacoma Automobile Machine Works. The duo would finish fifth out of twelve cars in the InterCity race which was won by Jim Parsons of Seattle in his Frantz. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D-article; TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

ca. 1914. Car #26, driven by N. Latta, and car #21, believed to be a Studebaker driven by H. Staley, drive past the grandstand of the Tacoma Speedway. This race is believed to be the July 1914 InterCity 100-mile race held at the Tacoma Speedway which featured cars from cities in the Pacific Northwest. Driver Latta, from Seattle, drove the #26 Lozier which came in third place in the race. The News Tribune noted that Latta did not pit or stop on the racetrack before crossing the finish line. Latta won $250 and Staley, the 4th place winner, earned $150 for the race. Jim Parsons, also of Seattle, was the winner among the twelve cars entered. He picked up a prize of $750. (TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results; Sunday Daily Ledger, 7-5-14, p. 1+, p. 16-articles; TDN 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Grandstands--Lakewood; Sports spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood;

ca. 1914. Driver Billy Taylor from California and his unidentified "mechanician" in A.H. Woolacott's big Alco #12 at the 1914 Tacoma Speedway races. Mr. Taylor had driven the car to a second place finish in the Vanderbilt Cup race at Santa Monica the previous winter, outracing several cars who were really faster. This so impressed car owner A.H. Woolacott that he entered the Alco with Mr. Taylor as driver in the July 3 & 4th races at the Tacoma Speedway. The Alco would come in 5th at the closing race of the Montamara Festo which was won by Earl Cooper of California for the second straight year. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-article on results)

Taylor, Billy; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Alco automobile;

ca. 1914. Californian Billy Taylor and his unidentified "mechanician" aboard the big #12 Alco "six" at the Tacoma Speedway in early July of 1914. Entry was submitted by A.H. Woolacott. The Alco raced in both the Golden Potlatch 200-miler on July 3rd and the grand finale Montamarathon 250-mile race on the 4th on the two-mile oval track. Mr. Taylor came in 5th place of the closing race, trailing winner Earl Cooper's Stutz, G.E. Ruckstell's Mercer, Arthur Klein's King, and Jim Parsons' Frantz. He had been dubbed a "daredevil of the (Billy) Carlson type" by the Tacoma Daily Ledger prior to the race and was, according to the newspaper, quickly becoming famous. (TDL 6-29-14, p. 2-article; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-results)

Taylor, Billy; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Alco automobile;

ca. 1914. This young driver, sitting in his unnumbered race car, is believed to be Walter Grossman of Los Angeles. He and thirteen other racers had brought their "cycle cars," smaller and less powerful than regular race cars, to the Tacoma Speedway for special Labor Day competition in 1914. Mr. Grossman was also photographed in a "Red Devil" car of his own design and construction (see G51.1, image 120) which was far different from the car he is pictured in above. Although the boys were able to get in practice and speed trial times, rains on the actual day of competition cancelled the race. Mr. Grossman, part of a large contingent from Southern California, returned to his home after a second postponement.

Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1914. H. C. Terrien behind the wheel of the "Pacific Car Special" in Tacoma for race at Tacoma Speedway. Mechanic is Oscar Soderburg (name misspelled on print). Herman C. Terrien, from Tacoma, entered his small Regal in the InterCity race on July 3, 1914. The 100-mile race was restricted to cars from cities in the Pacific Northwest. His Regal, #9, was worked on with Bob Field at the Pacific Car Co. The race was won by Seattle's Jim Parsons in his Frantz car. Mr. Terrien's car was not among the top five finishers. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article, 10-A-alt. photograph; TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Terrien, Herman C.; Soderburg, Oscar; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Regal automobile;

ca. 1914. Frank Verbeck behind the wheel of his Fiat (car # 11) on the track at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1914. Accompanying him was Forrest C. Smithson, his mechanic. Mr. Smithson was a world-class and Olympic hurdler. The Fiat ran in both the 200-mile and 250-mile races which attracted entries from the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Since the Fiat had raced here the past two years, expectations were high for another successful finish. Unfortunately the car did not perform well and Mr. Verbeck won neither race. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D-alt. photograph; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1+-results)

Verbeck, Frank; Smithson, Forrest C.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. This is possibly H. Staley and his unidentified "mechanician" aboard car #21, believed to be a Studebaker, preparing for the Montamara Festo races in early July of 1914. Driver Staley captured 4th place and $150 in the Inter-City Century, a 100-mile race held at the Tacoma Speedway on July 3rd. (TDL 7-4-14, p. 5-list of drivers; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-5-14, p. 16-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers;