The photo caption on page 31 of the November 1953 issue of Road & Track read: “A strange assortment of cars lined up for the feature of the day.” The author was Bill Brant and the feature race noted was the Seafair Trophy at the inaugural Seafair Sports Car Races held on Saturday August 8, 1953 at Paine Air Force Base in Everett, Washington.
Not only was the assortment of cars “strange,” this was a race weekend that almost didn’t happen. Apparently the Seafair Committee did not initially understand the level of interest in sports car racing at this time. However, with considerable prodding from the Northwestern Region of the SCCA, the Puget Sound Sports Car Club, the Air Force and the Seafair Celebration, the race was not only approved, but was scheduled in conjunction with the following day’s unlimited hydroplane “Gold Cup” race on Lake Washington. It turned out that the sports car guys were right as spectators arrived in droves…25,000 of them!
No Subscription? You’re missing out
Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content.
Get Started
