Race Car Driver Pioneer. Born in in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, he built his first car in 1905 and would race anyone who would challenge him. In 1910, Harroun accepted an offer from Howard C. Marmon to design and build a racing car to be driven by him in the first big event at the new speedway at Indianapolis, Indiana. Conventional cars at the time were constructed with two bucket-type seats. Harroun's car had a streamlined body, with only one seat for the driver and equipped with the auto industry first rear-view mirrors. Thus on May 30, 1911, Harroun driving his Marmon Speedster was the winner of the first Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500). Shortly after the race, he retired from competing but remained in the automobile business as a consulting engineer and car designer. In 1952, he was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. He died at age 89 in Anderson, Indiana. In 2000, he was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Race Car Driver Pioneer. Born in in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, he built his first car in 1905 and would race anyone who would challenge him. In 1910, Harroun accepted an offer from Howard C. Marmon to design and build a racing car to be driven by him in the first big event at the new speedway at Indianapolis, Indiana. Conventional cars at the time were constructed with two bucket-type seats. Harroun's car had a streamlined body, with only one seat for the driver and equipped with the auto industry first rear-view mirrors. Thus on May 30, 1911, Harroun driving his Marmon Speedster was the winner of the first Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500). Shortly after the race, he retired from competing but remained in the automobile business as a consulting engineer and car designer. In 1952, he was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. He died at age 89 in Anderson, Indiana. In 2000, he was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
RAY W. HARROUN
1879 - 1968
WINNER-1st. INDY 500-1911
Family Members
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