Exposition Park Raceway San Luis Obispo

Wonderful footage of racing at Exposition Park Raceway in San Luis Obispo, CA in 1924. This track was located along South Street between Higuera and Broad Street. The movie "Sporting Youth" starring Reginald Denny was filmed here in 1924.

This footage is often attributed to Caspar "Cap" Weir, who was the Chief Timer of the track during its operation although that is highly debatable. It's more probable that Mr. Weir received this footage as part of a Universal-Jewel "leader" given to the El Monterey Theater in San Luis Obispo at the premiere of Sporting Youth.

Imagine going nearly 100 MPH in one of those rickety little cars with those skinny tires and mechanical brakes. More than a few racers died in their efforts.

If any of you wonder what these cars sounded like or what powered them here is a remarkable clip: www.milleroffy.com/Miller_122_1923_reardrive_small.wmv and www.milleroffy.com/Miller_122_1923_reardrive_driving_small.wmv The very top of the line would have been engines designed and manufactured by Harry Miller. All aluminum, DOHC engines with centrifugal superchargers in the 1920's! These engines would form the foundation for the later Offenhauser engines that dominated Indy for many years. Miller along with Leo Goosen (his lead engineer) and Fred Offenhauser (shop foreman) were years ahead of the competition.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Exposition Park
• Raceway
• San Luis Obispo
• Sporting Youth
• Reginald Denny

[JangoManiac56]

what year was this? I remember Atascadero Speedway and of course Santa Maria but not Exposition Park though I have heard of it. Great footage thanks!