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38 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2024 | We're bringing back our series about Auto Racing. The basic concept of auto racing is to get from point A to point B before anybody else does. The varied means and ways that is done provide many opportunities to enjoy the sport. Here is PART ONE of the story: The first speeding ticket was given to taxi-driver Jacob German for exceeding 12 mph in New York City in 1889. Tom Kincaid (inset) won the 100- mile Prest-O-Lite Trophy race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 1910. The event had only seven starters; the field was decimated by official edict: American Automobile Association (AAA) officials invoked their authority, waving their rulebook over the definition of a "stock car." Most manufacturers - of which there were dozens - wanted to race. Many, though, despised the idea of purpose-built race cars, calling them "freaks" and insisting that contests involving them were pointless. Racing was expensive and the auto companies did not want the added cost of developing and providing specialized equipment. The reasoning had merit because such equipment wasn't on the market and therefore did not provide consumers with data for purchase decisions. The obvious counter was that the whole point of the sport was to test new ideas and technology to assess their viability for eventual inclusion in mainstream products. More bluntly, the real reason a lot of manufacturers balked is simple: As an academic discussion, the concept of stock car racing had merit. Putting it into practice in the context of a racer's mentality, however, was full of challenges. More next month! Stay tuned. If you have a classic car, love to ride or sit in one, talk about, or just look at one, you need to join our club! We have no membership fees or dues, and our very short meetings are once a month. We begin at 8 am on the first Saturday of every month in the parking lot of the Main Clubhouse. We display our cars and talk shop, then we meet in the Multipurpose Room for a very short meeting. We announce car shows, discuss upcoming activities and events, then go out together for breakfast. We're all about fun and good fellowship, and we're looking for new members to share our good vibe. You don't even need to own a classic car. Come join us and expand your social life! Cruzin' Cronies

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