Grand Island Grand Prix

NYSpeed Automotive
1

I discovered this on the advice of a guy I know, apparently he was at a garage sale some years back and purchased a box full of old pictures, and among those pictures were ones documenting the 1952 Grand Island Grand Prix. I couldn’t believe I had never heard of this before. It’s interesting both to see the incredible cars, and to see roads Ive been driving on for years being used as a race course…

Thought I’d share, I’m sure these cars are of little relevance to most of you, but those Allards and XKs and that MG T/C really caught my eye!

http://www.isledegrande.com/200/race.htm

2

I had no idea, that’s awesome lol.

3

Thats pretty damn sweet! Would love to see a modern day race. haha

4

Wow, who knew?

5

Pretty amazing how motor racing went from the streets of most places in the USA to being complained about by the general public for making noise on race tracks.

6

Very cool…never heard of this either. :slight_smile:

7

They expected 10,000 people.
They got 90,000 people.

Damn. Let’s get this going again! :slight_smile:

---------- Post added at 09:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

… and where is the course map for the “Holland Hill Climb?”

8

Badass!

9

And

Bill Pratt, of the American Legion, recalls that no charge was made for spectators. The Legion relied on beer sales to finance the events, with stalls set up near the start and finish lines.

10

wow awesome

wth - Thierry is shown blasting down Whitehaven Road at speeds in excess of 110 M.P.H. He left the road at close to this speed either to avoid a pedestrian or due to a severe dip in the road in the vicinity of Spicer Creek. At this point the car flipped, became airborne and launched itself over the crowd

Frign car flew over the crowd!!!

I like the hay bails…that should stop/slow a 110mph car down right :slight_smile:

11

That is pretty cool. I had never heard anytihng about that.

Those were the days. You could leave your wallet in the car unlocked w/o worries.

12

I sea what you did there. lol

13

I like too bad these things will never happen again.

14

Fixed.

Chump Car hosts a couple races on public streets, also there are 5-6 hillclimbs on public roads in PA a year.

15

that is some cool shit! never knew that ever went on!

16

impressive…

17

They’re.

18

Is there documentation if anyone signed a waiver?

19

I’m ready to start this up again.

20

The Belle Island grand prix is a good time. I think they used to have another race that goes through the Detroit city roads as well.

Edit: Updated

82’ - 88’ through the F1 through the streets of Detroit

89’ - 91’ CART Champ car through the streets of Detroit
92’ - 01’ CART Champ car on Belle Island
07’ - 08’ IRL Indy on Belle Island
12’+ IRL Indy on Belle Island