A century of racing

In the beginning, motor vehicles were expensive and impractical. Automobiles were considered a sport.

Only wealthy men could afford the wheeled novelty, testing its limits through trials of speed and endurance. It was the spring of 1899 when the first automobile was seen in Salt Lake City. Within three months, Utah was introduced to motor sports. Even here in Utah, racing is as old as the machine itself.

Those who have tested the track at the new Miller Motorsports Park claim it is one of the finest road-racing courses in the country. This first-class race track ushers in a new era for racing in Utah. For more than 100 years, fans of motor sports have watched daredevils challenge the laws of physics in every kind of gasoline contraption. Larry Miller's new 500 acre facility in Tooele County is the crown jewel in an interesting history of racing venues that have provided thrill-seekers a run for their money right here in our own back yard.

Salt Palace Cycle Track

Opening on July 4, 1899, at 900 South between State and Main, the Salt Palace Cycle Track

hosted bicycle racers from around the world. Called "Red Devils," motorcycles were introduced shortly after the track opened. Motorcycle racing remained popular until the Salt Palace burned down in 1910.

Wandamere Motordrome

For just 25 cents, 10,000 speed-enthused fans swamped the Motordrome track opening night, July 2, 1910. The fastest mile ever traveled in Utah was reached that night when Jake DeRosier made it in 45.20 seconds on a motorcycle. Located between 2700 and 3300 South where the Nibley Golf Course is today, the Motordrome track was the first exclusive motor-sports track in the state.

Utah State Fairpark

Much to the dismay of fair-goers, the first auto races in the state, held at the Utah State Fair in 1903, were a bust. A headline found in the Deseret News Oct. 7, 1903, describing the races read: "The autos were not fast." Despite a slow start, auto racing at the State Fairpark remained popular until the early 1970s.

Bonneville Salt Flats

Since Teddy Tezlaff set a world speed record of 141.73 miles per hour in 1914, the Salt Flats have been home to land speed records, endurance racing and speed trials requiring a track larger than was practical to build. The saline speedway has attracted racers to Utah from around the globe.

Hippodrome Stadium

Midget auto racing began at the Utah State Fairpark in 1940. Then, war restrictions put a hold on racing from 1943 to 1945. After the war, the fair board decided against allowing the midget races. A former motorcycle jumper by the name of Vince Walton decided to build a new 1/5 mile dirt oval track at 800 West and 2100 South. The Hippodrome Stadium opened May 25, 1947, and hosted the midgets until August 1959.