June 1, 1909 – The Ocean to Ocean race begins
To raise interest in the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle, Washington, a transcontinental race from New York to Seattle was held. It began on this day in 1909, the same day the AYPE kicked off. Dubbed the Ocean to Ocean Endurance Race, sponsorship came in part from Henry Ford and Robert Guggenheim, who put up the trophy and prize money. The winner could take home $2,000, while secondplace received a handsome $1,500.
The race had two segments. The first was an endurance race from New York City to St. Louis. During this portion of the event the drivers could only run their vehicles in daylight and they were to obey speed limits. The second half, from St. Louis to Seattle, was a speed race, as there were fewer laws regarding automobiles west of the Mississippi River.&nb...
