The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has added another element to its ongoing centennial festivities by announcing it will host the 100th Anniversary Indy 500 Celebration of Automobiles, a competition featuring two divisions of cars manufactured between 1911 and 1961, the first half century of the Indianapolis 500. The Celebration will take place over two days, Friday May 13 and Saturday May 15, with only the second day open to the public.
One category will include cars from the 24 manufacturers that competed in 1911’s inaugural 500—Alco, Amplex, Apperson, Benz, Buick, Case, Cole, Cutting, Fiat, Inter-State, Jackson, Knox, Lozier, Marmon, McFarlan, Mercedes, Mercer, National, Pope-Hartford, Simplex, Stutz, Velie and Westcott—while the other will be open to other classic cars produced during those first 50 years.
Both divisions will present awards in three sub-classifications, each named in honor of one of the Speedway’s three ownership eras, the Carl Fisher Era (1911–1927), the Eddie Rickenbacker Era (1928–1945) and the Early Tony Hulman Era (1946–1961).
Approximately 250 contestants will be invited to participate, with participating cars displayed at the Speedway and driven around the 2.5-mile oval prior to the judging. Anyone who feels they would like to be a contestant can apply online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/CelebrationOfAutomobiles.
