Speedway Helmet Race

AitkenSpeedwayHelmet

The Speedway Helmet Race was an automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, during each of the three race weekends of 1910 (the last year prior to the first Indianapolis 500). The trophy was a metal helmet, featuring the Speedway's "Wings and Wheel" logo, which the winner wore while defending his title in the next Speedway Helmet Race. The photo to the right is of auto racing star Johnny Aitken. He modeled the unique trophy in May 1910 just days before the first race in which it was the primary prize. He never won the award.

Race results

Year	Date	Winning Driver	Car	Race Distance		Time of Race	Winning Speed
				Miles	Laps
1910	May 27	Bob Burman	Buick	5	2	00:03:37.24	82.858 mph
	July 1	Eddie Hearne	Benz	10	4	00:07:13.00	83.141 mph
	Sept 3	Eddie Hearne	Benz	10	4	00:07:03.41	85.024 mph

Sources

• Scott, D. Bruce; INDY: Racing Before the 500; Indiana Reflections; 2005; ISBN 0-9766149-0-1.
• Galpin, Darren; A Record of Motorsport Racing Before World War I.
• Dill, Mark, www.firstsuperspeedway.com (Photo and associated caption)