It is well documented that the Vanderbilt Cup Races were dangerous for both drivers and spectators, but this photo that appeared in the December 24, 1914, issue of the Los Angeles Times illustrates another risk that was specific to the 1915 Vanderbilt Cup Race. That race was held in conjunction with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition at San Francisco, a world’s fair held to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, and the race took place on the Exposition grounds. The caption to this photo explained that this was the most dangerous point on the course where cars going in opposite directions, as indicated by the white arrows, passed so close to each other that a blown tire or mechanical failure at this point could result in a head-on collision. Here is a bird’s eye view of the course:
Thankfully, there were no head-on collisions or deaths in this race, although there were some injuries as described in the article below that begins with “Resta Wins.” In reference to the original photo, the caption also indicated that the driver pictured was Billy Carlson in a Maxwell 25. Carlson also piloted a Maxwell in the race and, although it had a leaky radiator, he still managed a fifth-place finish. Tragically, there were not many more races in Carlson’s future as he was fatally injured racing in Tacoma the following July. His mechanic, Paul Franzen, was also killed in the accident.
Finally, here are a few more newspaper clippings related to the 1915 Vanderbilt Cup Race including the race results, another view of “the dangerous curve,” and an awesome photo of legendary driver Barney Oldfield, chomping on his signature cigar:
