Finished-The First Winner
Feb 27, 2016 17:24:59 GMT -5
via mobile
indy, indycals, and 4 more like this
Post by 1961redlegs on Feb 27, 2016 17:24:59 GMT -5
I just completed today my rendition of Ray Harroun's Marmon Wasp, the first winner of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race.
At 10:00 on May 30, 1911 40 cars fired their engines and shortly the red flag waived (green flags to indicate a clear track were a few years off) and six hours and 42 minutes later Ray Harroun brought his Marmon Wasp home first.
Harroun, with relief help from enduro racing ace Cyrus Patschke won with an average speed of just under 75 mph in what some in the media dubbed the "Yellow Jacket" due to the bright orange-yellow color.
His goal was similar of that to the tortoise's race plan in the fable, he didn't have to set the fastest lap record but he just had to go out there and maintain a steady pace that didn't tax the tires. The longer the tires lasted, the fewer pit stops he needed, through tire testing he knew a 75 mph pace would be the best for both speed and durability for his Firestones. According to Donald Davidson,"by reducing his lap speeds from 80 mph to 75 mph, he could double the distance covered before a change became necessary."
While other drivers such as second place finisher Ralph Mulford drove faster, they also blew tires or had to make multiple pit stops which cost precious time. Harroun didn't have to make such stops, changing the right rear tire three times while Mulford changed 14 tires. There's been controversy over the years in regard to the fact that Mulford drove faster than Harroun and that he was the winner, but it's safe to say that considering the tire situation Harroun won the 500. He wasn't the fastest that day, but the best tactician. That's what made the difference.
Harroun didn't race much if at all after this but stayed involved in racing and the speedway the rest of his life. He always considered himself more engineer than racer and enjoyed that part of the sport better. He was one of the front-runners in the sport's early years but this win ensured he'd be remembered by all as the first winner of the Indianapolis 500.
As a footnote interesting to me, Harroun's the only man to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Churchill Downs as he won an auto race at the famed home of the Kentucky Derby as well.
The car is from Michael's impressive kit. It's box stock and painted a combination of Mr. Color 109 and 329 yellow mixed per the kit instructions. This was a fun build and I hope to see more completed on the site! Thank you for your time.
At 10:00 on May 30, 1911 40 cars fired their engines and shortly the red flag waived (green flags to indicate a clear track were a few years off) and six hours and 42 minutes later Ray Harroun brought his Marmon Wasp home first.
Harroun, with relief help from enduro racing ace Cyrus Patschke won with an average speed of just under 75 mph in what some in the media dubbed the "Yellow Jacket" due to the bright orange-yellow color.
His goal was similar of that to the tortoise's race plan in the fable, he didn't have to set the fastest lap record but he just had to go out there and maintain a steady pace that didn't tax the tires. The longer the tires lasted, the fewer pit stops he needed, through tire testing he knew a 75 mph pace would be the best for both speed and durability for his Firestones. According to Donald Davidson,"by reducing his lap speeds from 80 mph to 75 mph, he could double the distance covered before a change became necessary."
While other drivers such as second place finisher Ralph Mulford drove faster, they also blew tires or had to make multiple pit stops which cost precious time. Harroun didn't have to make such stops, changing the right rear tire three times while Mulford changed 14 tires. There's been controversy over the years in regard to the fact that Mulford drove faster than Harroun and that he was the winner, but it's safe to say that considering the tire situation Harroun won the 500. He wasn't the fastest that day, but the best tactician. That's what made the difference.
Harroun didn't race much if at all after this but stayed involved in racing and the speedway the rest of his life. He always considered himself more engineer than racer and enjoyed that part of the sport better. He was one of the front-runners in the sport's early years but this win ensured he'd be remembered by all as the first winner of the Indianapolis 500.
As a footnote interesting to me, Harroun's the only man to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Churchill Downs as he won an auto race at the famed home of the Kentucky Derby as well.
The car is from Michael's impressive kit. It's box stock and painted a combination of Mr. Color 109 and 329 yellow mixed per the kit instructions. This was a fun build and I hope to see more completed on the site! Thank you for your time.
or the start and finish I should say.
