Winner of first Indianapolis 500 - Indianapolis, IN
Posted by: 
hykesj
N 39° 47.402 W 086° 14.019
16S E 565615 N 4404734
Ray Harroun drove this Indianapolis-built Marmon Wasp to victory in the first 500-mile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911.
Waymark Code: WM19GYY
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 02/27/2024
Views: 1
What’s become an annual Memorial Day weekend tradition began in 1911 when the first Indianapolis 500 was run on May 30 of that year. Early race car driver Ray Harroun came out of retirement to participate, then immediately re-retired after his victory. The victorious Marmon Wasp, which Harroun helped design, averaged almost 75 miles per hour in a race that lasted over seven hours.
Ray Harroun committed a breach of racing etiquette when he did not have a mechanic ride along with him. Since these mechanics also looked out for other cars, Harroun mounted a mirror on the engine cowl so he could see behind him. It’s generally accepted that this was the first use of a rear-view mirror on an automobile of any kind. Well then, I guess this car represents two ‘firsts’ in one. You can see Ray’s mirror on the car.
The #32 Marmon Wasp is prominently displayed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum right at the speedway in Indianapolis.
FIRST - Classification Variable: Item or Event
Date of FIRST: 05/30/1911
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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