One of the Most Important Days in Ford and World History !

[FL SAAC]

Today in 1901, Henry Ford Raced and Won his only race; the results established the Henry Ford Motor Company and changed the world as we know it! A Company Founded on Racing that continues to innovate with racing https://www.motorsport.com/us/automotive/news/the-great-races-henry-ford-s-victory-in-1901/1932855/

[deathsled]

And the rest, as it is said, is history.  Speaking of which, first auto race in the USA happened in Chicago.

"America's first auto race was held in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1895. The race was the idea of H. H. Kohlsaat, the publisher of the Chicago Times-Herald."

So there was a time when Chicago was good for something instead of good for nothing.

Plus note, we're getting Nascar in Chicago next July preceded by an IMSA race on Saturday.  Incredible this is even happening given the current regime here.

[TOBKOB]

The Henry Ford Company became Cadillac Automobile Co. after the stockholders booted Henry and he then formed Ford Motor Co in 1903.

TOB

[TA Coupe]

Chicago used to also have indoor Drag Racing.

https://www.motor1.com/news/292847/chicago-indoor-drag-race/

          Roy

[rhjanes]

Around the turn of the century (1900) America was building and converting horse racing tracks at county fairgrounds, for those new fangled auto's.  I was reading about some of the wooden tracks up in the NE.  The thrill wore off and the cost to repair these banked wooden tracks ended most of it within a few years. 

[98SVT - was 06GT]

999 paved the way for the Ford we know today. I always found it interesting that the engine had 289 cubic inches...... per cylinder 1156 total.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_999

Henry also drove to a land speed record: On January 12, 1904 in New Baltimore, Michigan, Henry Ford personally drove the rechristened 999 with his mechanic Ed "Spider" Huff at the throttle. A new land speed record was achieved of 91.37 mph on an ice track carved into Lake St. Clair's Anchor Bay. It stood for only a few weeks, but this was ample time to bring more good publicity for Ford's new company.

[pbf777]

The Henry Ford Company became Cadillac Automobile Co. after the stockholders booted Henry and he then formed Ford Motor Co in 1903.

      But there is more to the story!   

     The investors of the defunct Henry Ford Company hired Henry Leland, who yes formed Cadillac Motor Co. from the remnants, but which was later purchased by General Motors and then Leland left Cadillac (more importantly G.M.) and then formed the Lincoln Motor Company, which was later purchased by Henry Ford as it became insolvent.   

     All in a big circle, or perhaps "what goes around comes around" might be applicable.   

     Scott.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

The first 50 years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKhpTY-9OSI