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Sports

979 Collections results for Sports

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D12334-A

ca. 1910. Copy of old boxing picture for the Times. Barechested man with ornate belt. This is identical to series C3-4 which depicts Stanley Ketchel, American middleweight boxing champion, 1908-1910. The elaborately designed belt is his championship belt. Ketchel was the first two-time middleweight champ and died at age 24, victim of an allegedly jealous ranch hand. Stanley Ketchel was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. (T.Times 11-15-1938, p. 12; boxrec.com)


Boxers (Sports)--1900-1910; Ketchel, Stanley;

BOLAND G52.1-013

Early racing superstar Earl Cooper poses at the July 1913 Montamara Festo races at the Tacoma Speedway behind the wheel of his Stutz "8," "the most winingest" race car in the country. On July 5th, Cooper won the 200 mile "Golden Potlatch" race in Tacoma with a time of 2:49:32 and an average speed on 71 mph. He later also won the 250 mile Montamarathon. 1913 was one of his best years in racing. He won 7 of 8 major road races, winning his first National Championship (to be followed by Championships in 1915 and 1917.) Born in 1886, Earl Cooper started out as a mechanic and throughout his career took a methodical and scientific approach to racing, as opposed to the daredevils that populated racing at this time. He worked closely with his mechanics and helped develop hydraulic brakes and pressure lubrication. He raced off and on until 1928 and managed racing teams after his driving retirement. He died in 1965 at the age of 79. Cooper joined the Stutz team in 1912. The Stutz had originated in 1910 when Harry C. Stutz established Stutz Auto Parts Co. to manufacture his engineering design, the transaxle. He built a car fitted with one and entered it in the first Indy 500 in 1911. It came in 11th. He then set up the Ideal Motor Co. (renamed Stutz Motor Car Co. in 1913) to manufacture the car. Its most famous model, the Stutz Bearcat sportscar, was introduced in 1912 to compete with the Mercer Raceabout. The company was finished by the Great Depression and ceased production in 1934, dissolving in 1939. SPEEDWAY-019, TPL-5479 (T. Tribune 7/6/1913, pg. 1; www.canadiandriver.com; www.hickoksports.com)


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

BOLAND G51.1-117

Charles Webster Latta drove the #3 Interstate during the 1913 Golden Potlatch trophy race on the Tacoma Speedway on July 5, 1913. He is pictured above with his unidentified "mechanician." Race car drivers at that time were accompanied by their "mechanicians" or machinists while on the race course. Mr. Latta started in position #3 for the 200-mile race, behind defending champion "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff who had the pole position. The race was for 58 laps of 3.516 miles each. Out of the nine entries, Mr. Latta finished third while at times running fourth and fifth. Although "Wild Bob" Burman was favored to defeat Teddy Tetzlaff for top honors, Earl Cooper in his white Stutz captured the first prize of $1800 in a time of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 32 seconds. (The Tacoma Tribune also called Mr. Latta, "C.N. Latta," rather than Charles Webster Latta.) TPL-9865 (T.Tribune, 7-2-13, p. 2-article; T.Tribune 7-5-13, p. 1-results)


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

BOLAND G51.1-097

Encouraged by 16,000 screaming racecar fans, three cars rush to the finish line in the "Golden Potlatch," one of two races run on July 5th, 1913 at the Tacoma Speedway. The race was 200 miles, 58 laps of 3.516 miles each, run on a dirt track and open to Class "E" non-stock cars with a winner's purse of $3,500. Earl Cooper and his white Stutz won the race in 1913 after "Terrible Teddie" Tetzlaff dropped from the lead with a broken cam shaft. Cooper's time was 2:49:32. 1913 was a victorious year for Cooper; he won 7 of 8 major road races and claimed his first national championship. The Tacoma Speedway racetrack had opened in July of 1912, financed by a group of Tacoma businessmen led by Arthur Pritchard, President of the Tacoma Automobile Association. During its years of operation, 1912-1922, most of racing's greats sped around the track, which was rated one of the three best in the United States. TPL-5481, Speedway Glass- 020 (TDL 7/6/1913, pg. 1, www.historylink.org, www.hickoksports.com)


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

BOLAND G51.1-094

Terrible Teddy Tetzlaff and his "mechanician" in his Fiat #33 on the dirt racetrack at Tacoma Speedway during the July 1913 Montamara Festo program. Mr. Tetzlaff was the holder of the Montamarathon trophy in 1912, the first year of the track's existence. TPL-3164


Tetzlaff, Teddy; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-030

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-045

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;

BOLAND G51.1-085

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;

BOLAND G51.1-141

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;

BOLAND G52.1-001

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;

BOLAND G52.1-003

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-009

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-011

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-070

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;

BOLAND G52.1-002

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;

BOLAND G52.1-012

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-018

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-022

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-028

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-034

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-002

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-006

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-033

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;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-068

Race car driver Grover Ruckstell and his mechanic "Quicksell" after the pair came in second at the July 4, 1914 Montamarathon driving the #16 yellow Mercer. Winner and defending champion Earl Cooper picked up $2500 for his efforts while G.E. Ruckstell (often misspelled Ruckstall in the newspapers) received $1500 for second place. New to Tacoma, he was a teammate of Eddie Pullen and a driver of Californian George R. Bentel's Mercer cars. Mr. Ruckstell was also a mechanic and engineer, having earned his masters degree in automotive engineering from Princeton University. He also served as head of the famous Mercer racing team. He is also credited with developing the basic concept of a two speed rear axle into a popular product, the "Ruckstell Axle" marketed for Ford. The handcrafted Mercer was only manufactured for 15 years, but the Mercer Raceabout is considered the model sportscar of the era, the perfect blend of speed and finesse. The Mercer Auto Co. was incorporated in 1909, backed by the funds of millionaire businessmen Ferdinand Roebling and John Kruser. The automotive designs of Finley Robertson Porter and the business acumen of general manager and society playboy Washington Roebling II made the $1950 sports car the choice of wealthy sportsmen. The company reached its glory in 1914 and due to a series of bad turns was gone in a decade. The last Mercer was made in 1925. (T.Tribune 7/5/1914, pg. 1-results; www.chaffinsgarage.com; www.capitalcentury.com)


Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Ruckstell, Grover; Mercer automobile; Automobile racing drivers;

BOLAND G51.1-106

Maxwell teammates Billy Carlson (car #25) and Hughies Hughes (#32) are side-by-side on the track of the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1914. Their cars had arrived in Tacoma directly from Indianapolis and the drivers themselves were in town two weeks prior to the July 3 & 4th holiday races. The Maxwells ran on kerosene and were expected to compete strongly in the races. Englishman Hughie Hughes would go on to win the 200-mile Golden Potlatch race on July 3rd with his black racecar averaging 74.28 mph. He picked up $1500 for his efforts. (TNT 6-21-14, p. 1-article; 2-B-brief biographies; TDL 7-4-14, p. 1-results) TPL-3165


Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Maxwell automobile; Carlson, Billy; Hughes, Hughie;

BOLAND G51.1-125

Jim Parsons and his mechanic W. Ogden pose at the July 1914 races at the Tacoma Speedway in Parsons' race car #7, a Frantz. Parsons won the 100 mile Intercity race on July 3rd with a winning time of 1:21:29 with an average speed of 73.6 mph. He triumphed over a field of 12 cars from cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Parsons was from Seattle. He returned on July 4th to place 4th in the 250 mile Montamarathon. TPL-1639, Speedway-066 (T. Tribune 7/3/1914, pg. 1)


Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Parsons, Jim; Ogden, W.; Automobile racing drivers;

BOLAND G52.1-004

Grover Ruckstell and his mechanic Quicksell pose in Ruckstell's Mercer at the July 1914 races at the Tacoma Speedway. On July 4th, in front of a crowd of 35,000 screaming fans, Ruckstell would fight his way to a second place finish behind Earl Cooper in the Montamarathon. Ruckstell's time for the 250 mile race was 3:23:33. It was the largest crowd in Tacoma's racing history and they were not disappointed with the heavily fought race. Teddy Tetzloff was in the lead until he dropped out in lap 113 with wheel problems, and limped to the pits with his mechanic laying across the hood holding the wheel. Ruckstell fought Bert Dingley for second place until Dingley spun off the course in lap 123, sustaining life threatening injuries. The crowd was in a frenzy as Ruckstell passed the checkered flag. TPL-103 Speedway-067 (T. Tribune 7/5/1914, pg. 1)


Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Ruckstell, Grover; Mercer automobile; Automobile racing drivers;

BOLAND SPEEDWAY-069

On July 3, 1914, Jim Parsons and his mechanic W. Ogden won the Intercity 100 mile race at the Tacoma Speedway in their Frantz racer, repeating their victory of the previous year. The winning time was 1:21:29 with an average speed of 73.6 mph. The Intercity allowed only car entries from cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Parsons was from Seattle. A total of 12 cars were entered in the race. Parsons won the race, but the most publicity went to 2nd place finisher S.F. Brock. On July 2nd, Brock and his mechanic N.E. "Nervy" Green ran down and killed spectator R.C. Pollock who was attempting to cross the track. The Wright race car flipped, injuring the pair, and severely damaging the car. The pair worked into the night getting the car back into racing condition and received a standing ovation when they finished second. In addition to picking up the InterCity honors, Jim Parsons may have also gotten a little something extra from the City of Tacoma: a possible speeding ticket. He was caught traveling 60 mph on South Tacoma Blvd. on Friday, June 26th. According to the June 27th News Tribune, the case was postponed in police court until Monday, June 29th, but no further information was provided. (T. Tribune 7/3/1914, pg.1; 7/2/14, pg. 1)


Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Parsons, Jim; Ogden, W.; Automobile racing drivers;

BOLAND G51.1-083

The stands look a little empty for the start of the July 3, 1914, InterCity 100-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway. Drivers and their accompanying "mechanicians" are lined up in their race cars two abreast. These included at front: Tacoma driver Jack Croston in car #1, a Chevrolet; #2 -believed to be Barnes in his Romano; #5 -Joe Thomas in his Mercer; #26 - N. Latta of Seattle in his Lozier. This particular race was restricted to cars from Pacific Northwest cities. Total prize money was $1500 with first place winner Jim Parsons getting the lion's share of $750. Mr. Parsons, of Seattle, had won the event for the second straight year. TPL-5697;


Croston, Jack A.; Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Chevrolet automobile; Mercer automobile; Lozier automobile; Romano automobile;

BOLAND G51.1-086

Exhaust fills the air as the speed kings prepare to race at the Tacoma Speedway. The InterCity 100-mile and Golden Potlatch 200-mile races were both run on the same day, July 3, 1914. This is believed to be the start of the Golden Potlatch with Californian Billy Taylor in his #12 Alco and "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff in his #3 Maxwell side-by-side and Jim Parsons of Seattle in his #7 Frantz directly behind the Maxwell. None of the three would win the race. Another Maxwell driver, Englishman Hughie Hughes, won the $1500 first place award with Art Klein in his King and Earl Cooper (the previous year's winner) in his Stutz coming in second and third. Mr. Hughes averaged 74.28 mph while beating Mr. Klein by 6 2/5th seconds. Mr. Parsons would finish in sixth place and Mr. Taylor in eighth. If the track looks a bit oily, it probably was. According to a Standard Oil Bulletin, some 1331 barrels of Richmond road oil were used on the two-mile track. (TDL 7-4-14, p. 1-results; Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)


Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Taylor, Billy; Tetzlaff, Teddy; Parsons, Jim; Alco automobile; Maxwell automobile; Frantz automobile;

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