For the past 100 years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the home for some of auto racing's most thrilling moments. Although the news has centered on the oval action, the behind-the-scenes activity has generated its fill kind of excitement. In their efforts to secure the best urge possible, the mechanics and engineers working on the bustle cars have created innovations that have transitioned from Pit Row onto the highway.
In fact, the first Indianapolis 500 Mile urge in 1911 witnessed the initiation of the rear opinion mirror. At the time, a driver had an accompanying mechanic in the car, who would check on other drivers trailing the car. Driver Ray Harroun had a different thought. Instead of this extra passenger, he decided he could gawk the drivers himself if a mirror was bolted onto the front of his car. The weight of an extra passenger would be eliminated and then decrease wind resistance and increase the possibilities of greater hurry. The notion helped Harroun become the first Indy 500 winner. Eventually the rear conception mirror also sparked auto manufacturers' interest. Today, it is standard equipment on every car.
Generally these early races were both testing grounds for current products and promotional tools. Manufacturers, such as Firestone Rubber Tire Company, could prove the public how well its products performed. In the early to mid 1900's, Firestone manufactured the same tires for both the track and the highway. The belief was to stamp racing fans, who would then purchase Firestone tires for their hold vehicles. "hurry on Sunday, Sell on Monday," became Firestone's business practice.
The Firestone tradition became entrenched with the 1925 Speedway procure by Peter DePaolo. On the fresh Firestone balloon tires, DePaolo averaged 101.13 miles per hour without tire pains. In fact, every one of the top ten racers had the balloon tires. Firestone's triumph convinced the public that the unique rubber balloon tires lasted longer. Plus, the tires proved to provide a more comfortable poke.
The balloon tires were only the open of manufacturers' innovative efforts at the Indy Speedway. Through the years, they continued to improve tires, engines, and car bodies. Many of these innovations were then transferred to the public's vehicles.
Today the racing industry is highly specialized with car mechanics and parts devoted strictly to the urge car. However, the practice of promoting the best that a manufacturer can offer is mild an famous element of the Indianapolis 500 tradition.
Labels: automotive , Indianapolis , Innovations , Speedway , Years
