Savannah Races, The (Images of America)

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. In The Savannah Races, the Georgia Historical Society presents a wonderful look at the years Savannah was the American center of racing. Author Frank T. Wheeler, historian and assistant director of the Society, couples never before published photographs from the Society's Julian Quattlebaum collection with insightful and well-researched text. Whether one is a racing enthusiast new to this aspect of American racing history, or is interested in every aspect of Savannah's rich heritage, The Savannah Races is a delightful look at a fascinating time.