Automobile Races
On a Half-mile Racetrack at the Old
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Hutchinson, Kansas
Saturday, September 18, 1909
Promoters – George C. Wiles and Fred Wood, both of Hutchinson, Kansas
These races were only allowed to be run at the old Hutchinson State Fairgrounds because the last scheduled horse racing program ever to be run on this racetrack, had already been run. The racetrack was scheduled to be removed later that year so even the horsemen community could not find a reason not to allow these races to take place.
These first known automobile races run in Hutchinson were run on the same program with motorcycle races that were sanctioned by the Federation of American Motorcyclists. The races were run under threatening skies during the Kansas State Fair but 6,000 people attended anyway. The racetrack was said to be a little rough but there were no serious incidents.
Time Trials – 2 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Automobile |
Time |
|
1 |
Harry Shoemaker |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Sellers** |
1:24.0 |
|
2 |
George C. Wiles |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
E. M. F. |
1:26.0 |
Free-For-All – 2 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Automobile |
Time |
|
1 |
George C. Wiles |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
E. M. F. |
1:32.5 |
Free-For-All – 4 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Automobile |
Time |
|
1 |
George C. Wiles |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
E. M. F. |
2:40.0 |
|
2 |
Harry Shoemaker |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Sellers** |
|
Main Event
Free-For-All – 10 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Automobile |
Time |
|
1 |
George C. Wiles |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
E. M. F. |
6:47.0 |
|
2 |
Harry Shoemaker |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Sellers** |
|
Wiles left Shoemaker at the start of the Main Event when Shoemaker’s Sellers balked at the critical moment. Wiles consented to a restart and easily pulled away to win the race, the trophy cup, and the $25 posted in prize money while Shoemaker was forced to drop out after three laps when a failed water pump caused the Seller’s engine to overheat.
“11th Race of the Day” – 2 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Automobile |
Time |
|
1 |
George C. Wiles |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
E. M. F. |
1:24.0 |
Fred Wood entered a Buick in these races but it is unknown how he did or even if he competed at all.
* Fred Wood of Hutchinson, entered a Buick but his name does not appear in any of the published results of these races.
** The Sellers automobile was designed by Harry C. Shoemaker and built in Hutchinson, Kansas by the O. G. Sellers Motor Car Company.
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