The Pioneer Era Ends

The winter racing series continued in Ormond Beach until 1910.  Motorcycles, which were a part of the racing events from its beginning in 1903, took center stage in 1907.  That year Glenn H. Curtiss in a V-8 motorcycle was the fastest vehicle through the Measured Mile.  Also that year, race officials decided that future events would place more emphasis on long distance racing.  The 1908 series was highlighted by a 300 mile long race won by Emanuel Cedrino in a 60 hp Fiat Cyclone.  (Shortly after the 1909 event, a 2 1/2 mile race track was completed in Indianapolis).

In 1910, Barney Oldfield was the star driving the Lightning Benz to a new world record, however the prestigious 300 mile race was cancelled because of heavy rains.  By 1911, the Florida East Coast Automobile Association was unwilling to support the races financially and a rival Jacksonville club took over the dates normally planned for the Daytona Ormond event.  Not to be outdone, W. J. Morgan  staged a competing event in Daytona involving the new airplanes.  These factors coupled with the running of the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and the outbreak of World War I spelled an end to the pioneer era of automobile racing.