Although the Indianapolis Motor Speedway first opened in 1909 it was not until two years later that the first 500 mile race was held there. The event was created in a bid to attract spectators after a drastic fall in attendance levels. The idea was to concentrate on one major race instead of several smaller ones, to be held annually on Memorial Day weekend following a month of practice.
1911 Indianapolis 500
Lewis Strang, driving a small displacement Case, started from pole by virtue of having been the first driver to register for the race. He was overhauled at the start by Johnny Aitken’s National, who led for four laps.
In total seven drivers led the 1911 Indy 500, but only two after the 103rd lap. Ray Harroun, driving a Marmon engineered by Harry Goetz, took the lead on that lap and proceeded to have a furious dice with Ralph Mulford in a Lozier.
The two drivers swapped the lead between pit stops for fresh tyres. One of these stops led to controversy, as Mulford’s crew argued that Harroun lost a lap to their driver. Although Harroun was declared the winner, covering the 500 miles at an average speed of 74.602 mph, some believed that Mulford was, in fact, the actual victor.
Ray Harroun and the Marmon Wasp
Mulford had to settle for second place in the official classification, ahead of talented youngster David Bruce-Brown in a monstrous FIAT. Harroun’s car, nicknamed the “Wasp” because of its yellow and black colour scheme, was a revolutionary design. Harroun was a gifted engineer and the car was noatble for some unique features.He was the only driver in the race without a riding mechanic and the Marmon also featured the world’s first rear-view mirror. The mirror was enough to satisfy officials that Harroun had a reasonable field of vision without the aid of a mechanic, but in reality it vibrated so much that it was all but useless.
Although Harroun is shown as the winner some credit must also go to Cyrus Patschke, who drove relief for approximately 35 laps. Harroun won a total of $14,250 in what proved to be his final race. He retired after the Indy 500 to concentrate on engineering and, eventually, building his own car. Harroun lived into old age, dying a week after his 89th birthday in 1968.
Mulford continued to race for many years after his Indy 500 disappointment, although he never did manage to win the great race. He died in 1973 at the age of 88. Third placed Bruce-Brown was not so fortunate and lived just one more year before perishing in a racing accident in Milwaukee.
Harroun’s yellow and black Marmon remains one of the most iconic cars in the history of motor racing. It resides in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
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