Santa Monica re-lived the historic 1911 Santa Monica Road Races at the Fairmont Hotel Santa Monica, Friday, July 17, 2015.
The evening included a presentation of the history of Road Races in Santa Monica, film and photo display by Harold Osmer, noted Motor Historian and author.
A unique auction was held for an overnight stay for two at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, dinner for two at the FIG Restaurant and Spa Therapy at Exhale along with rides in the original race car.
History: An estimated 50,000 people turned out on July 10, 1909 to watch two-dozen entrants run the inaugural race. The Start/Finish line was on Ocean Avenue. The course ran along Wilshire Boulevard (then called Nevada Avenue) to the old Soldier’s Home (now Veterans’ Center today) then back down towards the ocean on San Vicente Avenue.
