No repairs allowed

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Today, December 10, it’s exactly one hundred years ago that a special race sponsored by the “Washington Times” was held. The 1000 mile route went from Washington, DC, to Frederick, Ellicott City and Baltimore, Maryland, and back to Washington. The first one to cross the finish line would receive a silver cup, but a special requirement was that the race was to be run without stopping to raise the hood for repairs. Drivers lined up to compete but only twelve crossed the finish line. The run was over dirt and rocky macadam roads and it was won by John A. Lutz, who was the dealer for Oldsmobile, Packard, Buick, Pierce Arrow and Studebaker Electric automobiles in Washington, DC. His entry was this 1906 Oldsmobile which, with no top or windshield, cost $4,000. Lutz later said that "you could ruin a new car 'demonstrating' it between Washington and Frederick". (photos collection Rob and Sharon McLellan) (RB)

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