Skeleton Ford Polo

The Hobart Speedway's 1921 season — its second — was busy. Though built for motorcycles, the track was now hosting auto races as well (not to mention baseball games).

On Sunday, May 29, some 2,500 people turned out to watch five races (three motorcycle, two auto). A June 12 event featured not only races but a dangerous stunt — "picking a rider from a racing auto by an airplane," which involved said rider grabbing a rope ladder that dangled from the airplane, climbing up it and being wafted off to Gary, fortunately without injury. Another novelty that day was a polo game with "skeleton Fords" taking the place of horses, where injuries to the players and the loss of some wheels just added to the excitement. The whole event was handled by a professional promoter, who took 85% of the gate receipts; the Hobart Motorcycle Club retained 15%, plus all the concession stand earnings. Heavy advance advertising brought some 5,000 to 10,000 people to block traffic on Cleveland Avenue, swarm over the McAuliffe farm, devour all the pop and sandwiches the concession stand could supply, and choke on the clouds of dust from the dirt track.

The Motorcycle Club netted around $1,000, and swore to do something about that dust at the next big event.


(Click on image to enlarge)


Sources:
♦ Advertisement. Gary Evening Post 1 July 1921.
♦ "Big Attendance at Hobart Speedway Races Sunday." Hobart News 16 June 1921.
♦ "Races Draw Big Crowd At Speedway, Sunday." Hobart News 2 June 1921.