While automobile races had been held in Europe earlier, it was not until after 1900 that organized races were held in the United States. These contests took the form of road races--usually over a series of connected links of the best roads available. The most important of the early races were held on Long Island, New York. As a result of the efforts of the Savannah Automobile Club, the International Grand Prize Race of the Automobile Club of America was held in Savannah, Georgia, for the first time in November of 1908 and was enormously successful. In 1910 and again in 1911 the most famous drivers and the finest racing cars from all over the world returned to the city for the Grand Prize Race. The 1911 event attracted thousands more who came to witness the famous Vanderbilt Cup Race, the fastest race of this length up to that time (291 miles in 3 hours and 56 minutes). Julian K. Quattlebaum was among those who lined the Savannah race course for a glimpse of the big Fiats, Loziers, and Mercedes that roared around the turns, across the finish line, and into autoracing history. He has written a new introduction to this edition and has gone through his collection of early photographs of the cars, the drivers, and the races to add to the generous selection of illustrations in the original edition.

Mention Savannah, and most people will think of moss-draped oaks, genteel Southern charm, excellent cooking, and beautiful scenery. Not many would associate Savannah with goggle-clad, helmetless race car drivers roaring past crowds of nattily dressed onlookers from the early 1900s. Yet, from 1908 to 1911, the wonderful landscape, architecture, and atmosphere of Savannah was home to the predecessor of the most famous race in the world, the Indianapolis 500. The wonderfully quirky early race cars of those years sped past onlookers, old graveyards, and Southern mansions. Their drivers hobnobbed with the upper crust of Savannah society, as well as movers and shakers in the world of politics. In all, the races represented a fascinating time of change in Savannah's history.

This book provides an in-depth look at the great motor races that took place in Savannah, Georgia, in the golden era of early road racing: the Grand Prize of the Automobile Club of America and the Vanderbilt Cup. By examining Savannah's earlier fame in national bicycle racing competitions and its ties to the powerful dynasties who controlled the racing world, the book explains how and why Savannah was chosen. It details the construction of the course, reveals why the races and course were considered "America's greatest" by international racing experts of the period and includes many biographies of the drivers who came to Savannah. Finally, the book explores the theories and complexities of why Savannah's races and road racing in general came to an end.

Since its founding in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, the city of Savannah has experienced many triumphs and disasters. Its citizens have endured hurricanes, fires, and epidemics, and they have dealt successfully with social injustice and political corruption. Savannahians have also experienced both sides of war-winning as colonial rebels in the American Revolution and losing as Confederate patriots in the Civil War-and they have welcomed many heroes and stars to their city such as George Washington, Elvis Presley, and Shoeless Joe Jackson. In Rebels, Saints, and Sinners, Timothy Daiss tells the story of Savannah through captivating anecdotes about the city's past-a past full of intriguing characters and astonishing twists of fate. This book offers a wealth of detailed historical research presented in easily accessible prose, and it is a must-read for history buffs, travelers, educators, and anyone else interested in America's greatest cities.

Whether you're chowing down on fresh seafood, diving into local history, or wandering the waterfront, Moon Savannah reveals the best of this quirky Southern city. Explore the City: Navigate by neighborhood or by activity, with color-coded maps of Savannah's most interesting areas See the Sights: Take a guided tour of Fort Pulaski or climb to the top of the Tybee Island Light Station. Stroll bustling downtown Savannah, visit historic gothic cathedrals, and admire classic antebellum architecture. Tour the First African Baptist Church, or take the ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore, rent a bike, and pedal among the ruins of old mansions Get a Taste of the City: Sample classic fried chicken, home-style Southern cooking, and the smokiest slabs of barbecue around Bars and Nightlife: Jam to live music at a pub or kick back with the locals at a fun dive bar (and take your beer with you in a to-go cup!) Honest Advice: Savannah native Jim Morekis shares a local perspective on his beloved city Itineraries and Day Trips: Follow itineraries designed for families, beach lovers, history buffs, foodies, and more, and get outside the city to Hilton Head or the Golden Isles Full-Color Photos and Detailed Maps Handy Tools: Background information on Savannah's landscape, history, and culture, tips on getting there and getting around, and advice for travelers with disabilities, families with children, seniors, and LGBTQ+ travelers With Moon Savannah's local know-how and practical advice, you can plan your trip your way. Hitting the road? Try Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip. Seeing more southern cities? Try Moon Atlanta or Moon Charleston.

The first organized, sanctioned American stock car race took place in 1908 on a road course around Briarcliff, New York--staged by one of America's early speed mavens, William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. A veteran of the early Ormond-Daytona Beach speed trials, Vanderbilt brought the Grand Prize races to Savannah, Georgia, the same year. What began as a rich man's sport eventually became the working man's sport, finding a home in the South with the infusion of moonshiners and their souped-up cars. Based in large part on statements of drivers, car owners and others garnered from archived newspaper articles, this history details the development of stock car racing into a megasport, chronicling each season through 1974. It examines the National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing's 1948 incorporation documents and how they differ from the agreements adopted at NASCAR's organization meeting two months earlier. The meeting's participants soon realized that their sport was actually owned by William H.G. "Bill" France, and its consequential growth turned his family into billionaires. The book traces the transition from dirt to asphalt to superspeedways, the painfully slow advance of safety measures and the shadowy economics of the sport.