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HISTORY OF INDIANAPOLIS

Indianapolis was founded as the site for the new state capital in 1820. The first European Americans settler is believed to have been George Pouge. The state capital was moved from Gorydon. The plan for Indianapolis at that time was for a city of one-mile square and in the centre of the town would be the Governors circle. Indianapolis was founded on the white river on the idea the river could be used for transport. The first railroad to service Indianapolis began operation in October 1857. The population soared with the railroad connecting Indianapolis to the rest of the state.

VISITOR TIPS FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500

Part 1: Local Alcohol Laws

If you wish to buy alcohol or drink alcohol in Indianapolis, there are many important laws and procedures you should understand. First you must be at least 21 years old to purchase or consume alcohol in Indianapolis. If you wish to visit one of the local bars or nightclubs that Indianapolis has to offer you should be aware that most bars will close at 3am. Also you should know that stores and bars are not permitted to sell any kind of alcoholic beverage after 3 am.

If you are in Indianapolis for the weekend you should also know and understand that Sundays are dry days in Indianapolis. This means that you will not be permitted to buy alcoholic beverages that you can take home with you. However many bars and nightclubs are open but you cannot purchase alcohol to take with you. More visitor tips soon.

SPEEDWAY TRAGEDIES

Fourteen drivers have died in ten races. Clamming the lives of drivers in the Indianapolis 500 the years of 1919, 1929, 1933, 1935, 1939, 1947, 1953, 1955, 1958, 1964 and 1973.

The 1973 race is remembered by many as perhaps the worst race in 500 history. It was canceled twice due to rain, becoming, at 72-hours, the longest race in Speedway history Reports on a number of spectators injured was reported to be between 11 and 13 driving rain hit as they were being placed in ambulances. There have bean many tragedies in the Indianapolis 500 with many deaths taking the lives of some of the best racecar drivers we have seen. The very first Indianapolis 500 involved a major crash witch hit the judges stand and scattered the judgers from there post for some of the race.

Indianapolis 500 women drivers

Janet Guthrie is the first woman to earn a starting spot in the Indianapolis 500 (1977) and the Daytona 500 (1977), where she was Top Rookie. Her ninth-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 (1978), with a team she formed and managed herself, was the best by a woman until 2005. she set fastest time of the day at Indianapolis on may 7 and may 22, 1977.

In her brief career at the top levels of racing, she earned top-ten starting positions and posted top-ten finishes in both Indy-car Championship racing and in NASCAR Cup racing. Her fifth-place Indy-car finish at Milwaukee in 1979 was the best by a woman for 21 years. Her sixth-place NASCAR Cup finish at Bristol in 1977 remains the best by a woman in NASCAR’s superspeedway era. She is the only woman to lead a Cup race. She was Top Rookie in five NASCAR Cup races.

Robert (Bobby) Rahal

Robert “Bobby” Woodward Rahal, born January 10, 1953 in Medina, Ohio. His farther convinced racing officials that he was eighteen years old when he was only seventeen, so he could enter his first race in Canada as a novice. Bobby Rahal won the 1986 Indianapolis 500. His racing team is known as the Rahal Letterman racing team. The Rahal Automotive group sells and services many makes and models of cars in his dealerships.

INDIANAPOLIS ROAD LAWS

If you are visiting from overseas its good to note that in the United States, most states have a driving law that requires drivers to move one lane over from an emergency vehicle on the side of the road. For example, if you are on a multi-lane road, two or more lanes in each direction, and there is a police car with it’s lights on on the side of the road; the driver is supposed to move out of the lane nearest the location of the stopped police car. If you cannot move over due to traffic or you are on a single lane road, one lane each direction, you must slow down.

Some states specify the speed at which you must slow down. This is to prevent police officers from being hit while writing traffic violations or tending to an emergency. The law specifies emergency vehicles as police, fire, ambulance, or tow trucks. Most people don’t realize that tow trucks are included.

THE INDAINAPOLIS HALL OF FAME MUSEUM

The Indianapolis motor speedway Hall of Fame Museum is located at the northeast corner of 16th street and Georgetown road. It is approximately seven miles from down town Indianapolis. The museum is recognized as one of the most highly visible museums of the world with over 70 classic cars and racing cars from the past. The museum is also a great field trip activity for school age children and racing enthusiasts of all ages. There are also bus tours from the front of the museum of the surrounding grounds & track. The Hall of Fame Museum has everything a racing fan could hope for. Refresh yourself at the snack shop or browse the gift shop. With many other amenities to make sure you have a good day at the Indianapolis 500 racetrack. Want more info on the Indianapolis 500 Museum?

INDIANAOLIS 500 PACE CARS 1941 - 1978

The Nash Ambassador was the pace car in 1947, it was the kind of car that made the neighbours stop and look. With its rap around grill and bumpers, it was well ahead of its time. The Indianapolis 500 was like a show ground for dealers to show their models during the 40s and 50s, and they produced some very beautiful cars. The Chevrolet Fleet master driven by Wilbur Shaw as the pace car in the 1948 Indianapolis 500. The Plymouth Spot Fury used as the pace car in the 1965 Indy 500, there was only 33 of them ever made. Read more on Pace Cars used in the Indianapolis 500.

INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT

The Indianapolis Airport is located approximately 11 kilometers south west of the town of Indianapolis Before the airport received its International Designation in 1975 the Indianapolis Airport was known as the Weir Cook Airport. Named after Harvey Weir Cook, who was a Air force pilot in World War I and World War II. The Indianapolis Airport is approximately seven miles from the famous Indianapolis speedway. Getting to the Indy 500 track couldn’t be easier.

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CARS

The pace car was used to take the starting field on one un-scored lap. The field would use the lap to warm up their engines and tyres and then at the conclusion of the lap at the required speed the pace car would pull of the track and allow for a rolling start Carl Fisher drove the pace car for the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 in a Stoddard Dayton. Carl Fisher also drove the pace car for the following years 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915. The Nash Ambassador in 1947 driven by George W Mason was my favorite of all times. There have been many beautiful cars from days gone by that have been pace cars for the Indianapolis 500. Chrysler, Studebaker, Packard, Ford, Buick and Chevrolet just to name a few. In 1974 the warm up lap was changed from one to three laps. Full detailed article of the History of Indianapolis 500 pace Cars.