My grandfather, Jack Tower, raced in this first race (1911). He drove a Jackson Motor : Car #26. He also raced in the 1913 Indy 500 driving a Mason Motor Duesenberg : Car #6. Unfortunately he crashed in that race and was in the hospital for 3 months. I've been trying to find out more about that race. I was amazed to find actual video of those early races!
If you grand father participated in the races then when there was no safety, helmets, reliability of cars, it remains only for him to take off his hat.
It's a bit shocking when you remember that these drivers, even way back in 1911, are still driving faster than you would on the highway. Really, really dangerous stuff in those ancient cars.
Why in all these videos does no one talk about his co-driver Cyrus Patschke?? He is from my hometown and buried in a grave yard next to my house with no recognition that he took part and helped win this event! He deserves to be honored also.
How amazing would it have been to be involved in something like that back then. I wonder if anyone thought the race would still be around 100 years later.
@mikek0525 Oh Ray Harroun definitely knew before he died just what an impact his win had...He didn't die till the 1960's...By then, he was fully aware of how popular the race had become by that time. :)
I read somewhere that there was a car in the race that burned 104 gallons of oil during the 500 miles...that's GALLONS, not quarts... Thanks for posting this...I've seen parts of it before, but not the whole thing from start to finish. These pioneers laid the foundation for everything that came afterwards.
Well, to be exact, this race took plane on May 30, 1911. Interestingly, Titanic was launched just a day later, on May 31. From this day till May 31, 1912, she wasn't in the "building" process anymore, but more in the fitting (furnishing) process.
Thanks for the great video. That's my great-great uncle Bob Burman receiving his crown for breaking a land speed record. He was #48 in the first Indy 500. Go Bob!!
I see on here you have a 3 and 4 minute video of the race, I have a 15 minute clip that was passed to me from my grandfather.........trying to make DVDs from it for sale.....
We are used to 230 mph cars and high speed crashes, but imagine driving at 80 mph on the interstate, it's pretty fast and then think of being in one of these cars and crashing at 80 mph
Is it true that Ralph Mulford actually crossed the finish line first, but drove 3 "safety laps" afterwards, while Ray Harroun went into victory lane and was declared the official winner?
I'm not entirely sure if this footage is it, but as I understand, Thomas Edison attended the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and recorded actual race footage with one of his brand new movie cameras.
@jenie0 Don't beat yurself up over it, you could go this year to close the loop on 100 years, a century of family tradition. Your great grandaddy got to the the best, it sure isn't what it used to be. Buy four seats and put their pictures along side you. ...on practice day, hell don't spend that kind of money on race day, they got better seats then you anyway. LOL...I'm a Hoosier and always listen to the radio, like when I was a kid, and it still brings tears to my eyes when they start.
So this is where those idiots who run modern day Formula One got their idea from to crown the sprin race winner 'speed king' Typical Americans. Ugh. No disrespect to Indy Car though. I love all of this.
Not driver is on the correct side, I think I read Henry didn’t like the English so put the wheel on the wrong side.. all of Europe was right hand drive but slowly over the 20 th century all except England went to the wrong side.
thanks indy i want to perform the worlds largest kareoke concert for the kids in indy and travis pastrana triple jump for mr knievel anually. i want to get into politics in 2040 or sooner. best wishes . eric stewart american trucker biker kareoke singer swimmer daydreamer monroe city indiana happy trails yeeha
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My grandfather, Jack Tower, raced in this first race (1911). He drove a Jackson Motor : Car #26. He also raced in the 1913 Indy 500 driving a Mason Motor Duesenberg : Car #6. Unfortunately he crashed in that race and was in the hospital for 3 months. I've been trying to find out more about that race. I was amazed to find actual video of those early races!
that is absolutely amazing. after his injury did he ever return to racing, or did he retire?
They should make a Movie on Racing during this time. Would be so interesting. Time period films always do well anyway.
If you grand father participated in the races then when there was no safety, helmets, reliability of cars, it remains only for him to take off his hat.
Prove it
Its on wikipedia while i was looking at the 1911 indy 500 and I checked on his page and it said his last race was the 1913 Indy 500
It's a bit shocking when you remember that these drivers, even way back in 1911, are still driving faster than you would on the highway. Really, really dangerous stuff in those ancient cars.
Ehhh i doubt it
That's not faster than I drive on the highway 😂
I thought it was back then these people were all going at least 70. The exact same Speed Limits as most Highways
these guys had balls of steel
Why in all these videos does no one talk about his co-driver Cyrus Patschke?? He is from my hometown and buried in a grave yard next to my house with no recognition that he took part and helped win this event! He deserves to be honored also.
The fellow doing the crowning is A. R. Pardington, my grandfather's uncle.
How amazing would it have been to be involved in something like that back then. I wonder if anyone thought the race would still be around 100 years later.
can you imagine watching this in person with all that sand?
Mel Marquette, My grandfather was #23 in this race. I wish I could read the numbers better.
Mel marquette March 14 1884 -September 22 1961
6 hours 42 mins. 8 sec. to win a checkered flag. WOW! I think he not only deserves the flag but a whole keg of beer...for him and his buddies.
@mikek0525 Oh Ray Harroun definitely knew before he died just what an impact his win had...He didn't die till the 1960's...By then, he was fully aware of how popular the race had become by that time. :)
I love the history of the Indianapolis 500. It's been around twice as long as Daytona. Amazing when you think about it.
-SAVATS
It's amazing how you can pick out Ray Hrroun throughout the film.
No mechanic.
He used a mirror to check who was behind him. Same device we use today to look behind today
Note the billboard at 2:42. Adverts even at that time! "Team Managers and Entrants must Secure passes and badges at Speedway Office...."
I read somewhere that there was a car in the race that burned 104 gallons of oil during the 500 miles...that's GALLONS, not quarts...
Thanks for posting this...I've seen parts of it before, but not the whole thing from start to finish. These pioneers laid the foundation for everything that came afterwards.
The titanic was still being built.
ohiopower :O
Wow! Great thought.
Well, to be exact, this race took plane on May 30, 1911. Interestingly, Titanic was launched just a day later, on May 31. From this day till May 31, 1912, she wasn't in the "building" process anymore, but more in the fitting (furnishing) process.
Thanks for the great video. That's my great-great uncle Bob Burman receiving his crown for breaking a land speed record. He was #48 in the first Indy 500. Go Bob!!
He was also #45 I think.
I see on here you have a 3 and 4 minute video of the race, I have a 15 minute clip that was passed to me from my grandfather.........trying to make DVDs from it for sale.....
cool everyone was busy booking their titanic tickets for next year.
Since we have got to wait for August, I'm watching the whole history this weekend. Stay Safe everyone!
Magnífico 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
wow...how far we've come
True gentlemen's racing
I seen the wasp on track this year at the100th Anniversary of the 500, very cool,
The 1st running of the Indianapoils 500
Very COOL History!
Who else wants to drive these cars online in Iracing?
We are used to 230 mph cars and high speed crashes, but imagine driving at 80 mph on the interstate, it's pretty fast and then think of being in one of these cars and crashing at 80 mph
And they were racing on brick road
i don't remember his name but there was a man who was killed in one of these accidents, right?
Team No Limits 865 Sam Dickson, Art Greniers riding partner.
What history for us all.
At 0:32, where are the pedestrians going? Seems like a very odd walkway at the time.
How many of those drivers and pit crew died from lung complications from all that engine smoke??😜😜😜😜😜😜😜
Is it true that Ralph Mulford actually crossed the finish line first, but drove 3 "safety laps" afterwards, while Ray Harroun went into victory lane and was declared the official winner?
Harroun wins first Indi in 1911
These videos looks like old comedian movies.
Yeah, Sam Dickson, a riding mechanic. He rode in car #44.
This video is also old lol
A relic :)
I'm not entirely sure if this footage is it, but as I understand, Thomas Edison attended the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and recorded actual race footage with one of his brand new movie cameras.
the VERY FIRST Indy 500 race EVER!
has anyone ever noticed that the real tragic thing is that everyone in this video is dead
Not if You appreciate learning about them and the legacy they've left behind.
Que buen video¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
@jenie0 Don't beat yurself up over it, you could go this year to close the loop on 100 years, a century of family tradition. Your great grandaddy got to the the best, it sure isn't what it used to be. Buy four seats and put their pictures along side you. ...on practice day, hell don't spend that kind of money on race day, they got better seats then you anyway. LOL...I'm a Hoosier and always listen to the radio, like when I was a kid, and it still brings tears to my eyes when they start.
Great video thank for sharing
2:02 the driver gets out and helps? No driver at the wheel!
Oh BRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOTHER THIS RACE STINKS!
@jenie0
You can always resume the tradition... The 500 wasn't run during the World Wars, but it continued...
wow...
So this is where those idiots who run modern day Formula One got their idea from to crown the sprin race winner 'speed king'
Typical Americans. Ugh.
No disrespect to Indy Car though. I love all of this.
Not driver is on the correct side, I think I read Henry didn’t like the English so put the wheel on the wrong side.. all of Europe was right hand drive but slowly over the 20 th century all except England went to the wrong side.
How many drivers had to run to the outhouse after breathing castor oil fumes all race?
The tire change was interesting, I didn't know the wheel stayed on while the rim with tire detached.
Aspect ratio is all wrong! Amateurish.
??? What car is at 1:25? because at 1:21 don't we see the wasp?
log live the king
thanks indy i want to perform the worlds largest kareoke concert for the kids in indy and travis pastrana triple jump for mr knievel anually. i want to get into politics in 2040 or sooner. best wishes . eric stewart american trucker biker kareoke singer swimmer daydreamer monroe city indiana happy trails yeeha
Daytona is "chump-change" compared to the Indianapolis 500. Period!
@BSNFabricating too bad brooklands didn't.
@morrismeister It's the same guy
nasvar has changed alot