The first American automobile race took place on this date in 1895. It was put on by the Chicago Times-Herald, and it was open to cars with at least three wheels that could carry two or more people (the driver and a judge). The race, 54 miles in all, ran from Chicago's Jackson Park out to Evanston, Illinois, and back.

It was Thanksgiving Day, and it had snowed the night before. None of the automobiles had roofs, and none of the roads were paved, so conditions for a race weren't optimal. Out of the original 89 entrants, only six were at the starting line on race day. Two of them were American-made electric cars; the other four — one of them American and three built by German manufacturer Karl Benz — were gasoline-powered. Four of the cars eventually dropped out due to the poor conditions, and it came down to American Frank Duryea and one of the Benz machines. Duryea prevailed, reaching a top speed of 7.5 miles per hour, and crossing the finish line after several breakdowns and a little over 10 hours. The German car limped home two hours later, driven by the referee; its driver had collapsed, exhausted. Duryea used his $2,000 winnings to start the Duryea Motor Wagon Company

I didn't find any pictures of the actual race, but here's Charles Duryea in the brothers' first car.

pictures of cars and map of course here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Times-Herald_race

Steve:

Your photo is of the 1895 Duryea.

The first Duryea was built in 1893 and is in the possession of the Smithsonian. Below is a picture of that car. It is quite different from the 1895 Duryea.

That's what I get for believing something I found on the internet.

Steve,

I know exactly how you feel. O_o

Mike.

Which begs the question (or maybe not) is it pronounced "Dur-ee-ay" or "Dur-yay".

Which begs the question (or maybe not) is it pronounced "Dur-ee-ay" or "Dur-yay"?

Inquiring minds (and bored office workers) want to know.

oops

Dur-ee-ay