In 1907, an event took place that would forever change the look of auto racing. This was the opening of the Lakeside Auto Speedway in Lakeside, California, a little resort town in the foothills of San Diego, California. The Lakeside Auto Speedway was claimed to be the first, purpose-built, auto racing facility in the U.S. Now races could be held off the dangerous public roads and horserace tracks, which were not ideally suited to cars.
Because of the significance of this milestone 100 years ago, the Lakeside Historical Society is organizing a 2007 Centennial celebration at the site of the original Speedway. This event will be highlighted by a gathering of the finest antique racecars and other vehicles from the era of 1907 though 1919. These historic vehicles will be on display to the public and will be invited to a parade around the roads closely following the path of the original speedway. This running display will enable spectators to visualize what the speedway atmosphere must have been like a century ago.
The Lakeside Auto Speedway was constructed by John H. Gay, owner of the Lakeside Inn. This spectacular Victorian hotel was located adjacent to Lindo Lake in the town of Lakeside, California. The Inn was a tourist attraction due to its beautiful country location and easy access from San Diego via railroad. To improve business at the Inn the owner, Mr. Gay, invested $10,000 in construction of the speedway. The Speedway was a 2-mile, high-speed oval circling Lindo Lake adjacent to the Lakeside Inn.
The first event featured perhaps the best-known driver in the country, Barney Oldfield. Huge crowds arriving by train watched him pilot his Green Dragon racer to a new speed record. The opening of Lakeside Auto Speedway initiated a successful run of events that continued until the Inn closed in 1920. The history surrounding the Inn and the Speedway is being collected and documented by the Lakeside Historical Society.
The centennial celebration of the Lakeside Auto Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the Lakeside Community Center in Lindo Lake Park, 25 miles east of San Diego. For event entry information, contact Fred Puhn, Entry Chairman, at (619)475-1155. For information on the Lakeside Historical Society, contact them at (619)561-1886.
