Ray Harroun

Ray Harroun was an American race car driver and automotive engineer who made significant contributions to the early years of automobile racing. Born on January 12, 1879, in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, Harroun displayed a talent for tinkering with machinery from a young age. At the age of 16, he apprenticed as a dental assistant to his brother-in-law, but his restless spirit led him to join the U.S. Navy at the age of 19, where he served on a coal carrier during the Spanish-American War.

After his military service, Harroun worked on a square-rigged ship between South America and Europe before returning to the United States in 1902. That same year, he was hired as a chauffeur, even though he hadn't yet learned to drive. However, he had a knack for tinkering with cars and built his own two-seat speedster, known as the Harroun Special.

In 1903, Harroun joined a race team and set a time-distance record of 76 hours between Chicago and New York City in a factory-sponsored Columbia automobile. Endurance runs like these were big news at the time, and reliability was the biggest issue facing automobiles of the period.

Harroun built his own track speedster in 1905 that consisted of two long rails cradling a four-cylinder engine amidships. Resembling a harness racing sulky, the rider hung on at the extreme rear of this open-bodied 1000-pound contraption. It huffed and chuffed its way down the track, so onlookers nicknamed it "The Sneezer."

In 1906, Harroun worked for Buick in Lowell, Massachusetts, as a test driver. The Buick racing team was managed by William Pickens, who saw potential in Harroun and hired him to be the team mechanician for drivers Louis Strang, Bob Burman, and Louis Chevrolet. All four were destined to build legends for themselves in American track racing. 

From this opportunity, Harroun gained the experience and credentials to drive, and throughout 1907 he competed in various races for Buick and Marriott, as well as piloting his lightweight speedster.

Howard Marmon hired Harroun in 1908 as a mechanic for Nordyke & Marmon. Both were engineering types, and Howard Marmon, a proven mechanical genius and auto manufacturer, saw something of himself in Ray Harroun. Harroun's abilities, experience, and work soon earned him a promotion to company engineer.

Harroun next climbed into an open seat on the Marmon racing team when Martha Foster, one of women's early shining stars in automobile competition, was forced to quit racing in 1909 due to the AAA Supervisory Board's ban on female drivers. Or maybe she retired from her position as racing driver to marry her boss, Howard Marmon. Whatever the reason, this opportunity sparked Ray Harroun's short but stellar two-year career as a Marmon team driver. His successes on the track fueled the rise of the Marmon 32, one of the most famous early generation speedsters to ever cross a finish line or run down a country lane.

In 1911, Harroun achieved his greatest racing success when he won the inaugural Indianapolis 500. Driving the Marmon Wasp, he averaged 74.6 miles per hour and completed the 500-mile race in 6 hours and 42 minutes. The Marmon Wasp was a revolutionary car that featured a streamlined design and a rear-view mirror, which Harroun had designed to improve safety and eliminate the need for a riding mechanic. 

In 1911, Harroun competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Harroun's car, the Marmon Wasp, was considered an underdog, but he managed to outsmart and outdrive his competitors, crossing the finish line first and winning the race. His victory in the 500-mile race made him an instant legend and cemented his place in the annals of American motorsports history.

After his historic win, Harroun retired from racing and focused on developing cars and engines. He was known for his innovative ideas and was credited with designing the first rear-view mirror for automobiles, which is now a standard feature in all cars. Harroun's invention was first used in the 1911 Indianapolis 500 and was a major safety improvement for the drivers.

In addition to his successful career as a race car driver and mechanic, Harroun was also a family man. He married his wife, Florence, and together they had three children.

Harroun passed away on January 19, 1968 at the age of 89. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in American motorsports and his contribution to the sport is still celebrated today. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds an annual "Ray Harroun Day" to honor his memory, and his portrait hangs in the Hall of Fame Museum at the track.

The Ray Harroun fan club was created to honor the memory of this American racing legend and keep his legacy alive. The club organizes events, gatherings and publishes articles to keep the memory of Ray Harroun alive and share his story with the new generation of fans.