From the April 2003 issue:
WHAT A BLAST IT WAS -
THE ORMOND BEACH RACING CENTENNIAL:
‘One of the best old car related events we’ve ever been to’... that seems to be the consensus. Roaring out of a massive blanket of steam were five of the nicest Stanley’s we had ever seen. Then moments later, they were tearing down the sand in an impressive show of speed not witnessed for many a year. The roar of ‘ancient’ race engines with the smell of fuel and that earth rattling exhaust inspired the testosterone laden drivers to wow the crowds. Not since the days of Barney Oldfield have we been able to witness and savor the essence of such ‘feats of daring.’
With only a 1/8 mile run, the top speeds were nowhere close to records, but watching these original antique cars making repeated runs against various competitors was inspiring. We may not see such an event again in our lifetime. Many were special cars that traveled thousands of miles to do this event. The fact that they can still race after 100 years in this harsh salt and sand environment is a testament to the cars and their owner’s.
One unfortunate episode occurred when the highlighted event of the Centennial Celebration had to be cancelled. It was a re-enactment of the 1903 Challenge Cup, featuring the last running Winton racer and a replica of the Olds ‘Pirate’. They couldn’t get both cars running at the same time, but, with so much else happening no one seemed to notice.
There were several notable race related people there, including Don Garlits who drove and participated in various ways. This wasn’t the 325 mph scene like this year’s Gatornationals, but this is where big time racing began; where so many of the world’s land speed records were set and held for decades.
We loved watching Barney Oldfield’s original 1904 Peerless Green Dragon driven repeatedly against the other guys. The 1922 Wisconsin Special which set the world record at 180 mph on this beach was impressive. But, it was the steamers that really had the people talking. With a speed record of over 127mph in 1906, we could see the Stanley’s potential after one run. Those speeds are unbelievable when you consider the tire construction, the lack of safety features, and the fact that this is an active beach subject to everyday tidal changes and bumps.
The Friday show got off with a bang as a whole bunch of antique airplanes, including biplanes, flew down the beach. There were thousands of people in attendance for the race and afterwards the crowds converged a few blocks away at the ‘Casements’ (a former estate of John D. Rockerfeller.) The racing cars went on display there along with many other old cars.
The event was co-sponsored by the Volusia Region of AACA along with many other local historical and business organizations. When you consider the fabulous weather (after we lost so many shows to rain this year), this will be one of those shows to talk about for years to come.