Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
SPEEDWAY-029
Date(s)
- 1914-07 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
A group picture of race car drivers and mechanics believed to be taken at the Tacoma Speedway during the Montamara Festo races July 2-4, 1914. The races consisted of a 100 mile Intercity race on July 2nd, the 200 mile Potlatch on July 3rd and the 250 mile Montamarathon on July 4th. 35,000 spectators packed into the Speedway on July 4th for the big race. Almost 5,000 more were turned away at the gates. The parking spaces were full and all trains and ferries from Seattle were travelling at capacity. Tacoma was the most desirable destination in the state for the 4th. A total of 14 cars started the race, with Earl Cooper in his Stutz finishing first with a winning time of 3:24:03 and an average speed of 74 mph. Ruckstell finished 2nd in his Mercer and Klein third in his King. The race was marred by an accident on the track. Bert Dingley was putting on a burst of speed, racing for 2nd, when his big green Ono plunged into a ditch at 110mph. Both Dingley and his mechanic Ed Swanson were thrown from the car. Swanson was not seriously injured, but Dingley faced a long recuperation in a Tacoma hospital. The other racers in the Montamarathon were Carlson in a Maxwell, Tetzlaff in a Maxwell, Smyley in a Hupmobile, Sorrel in a Fiat, Hughes in a Maxwell, Taylor in an Alco, Parsons (a Seattleite) in a Franz, Pullen in a Mercer, Brock in a Wright and Verbeck in a Fiat. (T. Times 7/5/1914, pg. 1)
Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Daredevils; Automobile racing drivers;