Today’s race tracks are nothing short of amazing especially when you consider what was used back in the early 1900’s. But as beautiful as they appear today they can not hold up by comparison when we take a look what used to be as we look back thru the history books.
Anyone who has been to Indianapolis will most certainly recognize the above photo which is none other than the famous Pagoda that sits on the start/finish line at Indianapolis Raceway. While many consider this to be the Mecca of all racetracks in this writers oppinnion by comparison it’s an eyesore when compared to what once was.
In this next photo we see the original four-tier tower of the Japanese pagoda design which was erected in 1913. You can see just how close the the track sat in location to the spectators in this photo of Studebaker race cars taken in 1933.
I can’t help but laugh but if this photo was taken today just think how the environmentalist agencies would react. The original Pagoda, which was intentionally burnt to the ground after the 1925 Indianapolis 500, was replaced with a similar yet slightly larger version in time for the 1926 race. As speeds increased, officials felt the original Pagoda was built too close to the track, and thus the new Pagoda was built considerably further back from the main straightaway. This is possibly one of the only fires that was ever welcome at a race track but even then I am sure this amazing old building had some amazing stories to share.
Now call me a romantic but how can anyone begin to compare the beauty of this photo taken in 1954 to the behemoth that sits track-side today? It’s interesting to point out how the spectators are dressed in 1954 when compared to the earlier days of the early 1900’s events where suits, ties, top hats and women dressed to the nines. In this photo you will see sunglasses, white shirts with ties but without the heavy burden of a black suit coat and yet there still seems to be the feeling of, “Hey, everyone knows you are supposed to get dressed up for church, weddings and a car race.” If there was such a thing as a time machine I couldn’t think of a better place to spend a day… Can you?
Another thing in the photo that you can not find today: a phone booth.
Gary
Your right of course, the new certainly lacks the beauty of the old; it looks very sterilized, less human.
BTW, that looks like the Bombardier logo on the side of the newer “pagoda” …
Paul
Larry, I noticed those phone booths too but thanks to cell phones there are no longer a need it seems.
Paul, That’s what it used to be called but now it’s called Bombardier Learjet which as you know ia a Canadian aircraft manufacturer. They bought the naming rights to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s landmark Pagoda and the agreement was for five years but they did not disclose the precise value of the multimillion-dollar deal. In addition they also sponsor the Indy Racing League’s $50,000 rookie of the year award and contribute to the Indianapolis 500 prize fund. They also sponsor the IRL’s Kelley Racing team.
It is 160 foot high and it opened in 2000 and houses the Speedway’s timing and scoring facilities.
Bombardier has it’s fingers in aircraft, subway trains, 4x4s, motorcycles and ATVs, watercraft, but it all started with Joseph-Armand Bombardier’s snowmobiles, later known as the Ski-Doo®:
http://www.brp.com/en/Company/History/1950.htm
When we were kids, we’d do trips through the woods and across frozen lakes on my uncles’ Ski-Doos; they felt like great adventures. Later on, traveling around northern New Brunswick on a mobile survey crew in the 70’s, I spotted a few old Bombardier B7 and B12 half-tracks here and there … very very cool. Where are they now?
Cheers!
Paul
Over recent weeks I have been reading more and more about the trend that is heading towards three-wheeler type motorcycles and cars (registered as motorcycles) and just last week I saw an article about one of the major players who is going to begin selling them. I can’t remember if it was Jet-Ski or Ski-Doo.
Here it is and yes, it’s made by Bombardier…
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4212570.html
Gary
There another Canadian 3-wheeler on the market called a T-rex:
http://www.go-t-rex.com/
There was one kicking around locally; scroll down the page below and you’ll see my boys standing by it … very very low:
http://racecartoys.piczo.com/?g=25147770&cr=1
Cheers!
Paul
I have seen the T-Rex as well and it is another very popular ride. I read post made by a lot of non-believers but I very strongly believe that these types of transportation are going to become very popular within the next 10 years.
I have a photo of my dog, Nitrus” in front of a T-Rex too.
http://bp1.blogger.com/_iBxAzFjPTxU/R8Mp0o3yHHI/AAAAAAAACKk/9Wau5Cjm9_o/s1600-h/71.jpg