Savannah's Grand Prize & Vanderbilt Cup Races
Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
American Grand Prize Races, 1910 AND 1911 VANDERBILT CUP RACE, 1911. On each side of Waters Avenue at this site stood the grandstands built for the famous Savannah automobile races in 1910 and 1911. The starting and finishing line was located in front of the stands. On November 12, 1910, David Bruce-Brown won the American Grand Prize Race of 415 miles by only one and a half seconds, averaging 70.55 miles per hour in a Benz car. The Grand Prize Race held on November 30, 1911, was also won by Bruce-Brown, driving a Fiat, with an average speed of 74.45 miles per hour. On November 27, 1911, Ralph Mulford, at the wheel of an American-made Lozier, was victor in the Vanderbilt Cup Race, averaging 74.07 miles per hour. These races which were run over a course of 17 miles of fine roads in Chatham County are considered by authorities as the greatest automobile road races held in this country. Of international interest and importance, the events contributed their share in the development of the early automobile industry in America. 025-33 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1955
Erected by Georgia Historical Commission
The Story
For two seasons Savannah hosted some of the greatest automobile road races in America. On November 12, 1910, David Bruce-Brown won the 415-mile American Grand Prize in a Benz by a mere second and a half; he won again in 1911 driving a Fiat, and days earlier Ralph Mulford took the Vanderbilt Cup in an American-made Lozier. Grandstands lined Waters Avenue at this spot, overlooking a 17-mile course of Chatham County's fine roads.
Why it matters
These internationally famous races helped drive the technical development of the early American automobile industry in its formative years.
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Related people
- · David Bruce-Brown
- · Ralph Mulford
Related events
- · American Grand Prize Race, 1910 & 1911
- · Vanderbilt Cup Race, 1911
Themes & tags
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