The History of Air Racing
1931 NAR Photos & Records
1931 National Air Races
The1931 National Air Races returned to Cleveland Municipal Airport and
arrangements were made to to hold the event here for at least the next
five years. This arrangement prompted the building of new permanent
wood grandstands and race administration building. Special buildings
for Army, Navy and Marine Corps units were also added. Dates for
this year were August 29th through September 7th and Cleveland fans
were eager to see the races return. The racecourse was changed
to eliminate the racers over flying the grandstands, for safety reasons.
The airfield is large enough to permit both commercial flights and
air racing.
1931 Poster
New this year, Shell Trophies Speed Dash, Entries to qualify at a speed of
no less than 200 miles per hour over a 3-Kilometer Straight-Away course in
front of the grandstands. These speed dash qualifiers would also qualify the
men for the Thompson Trophy race and the women for the Aerol Trophy Race.
The major event and attraction was the Thompson Trophy Race, held here in
Cleveland for the first time.
1931 Logo
Bendix Trophy Race
Cliff Henderson, managing director of the races convinced businessman
Vincent Bendix to sponsor a new event. The Bendix Trophy Race------
Transcontinental Speed Dash open to men and women. Starting at United
Airport, Burbank California to Cleveland Municipal Airport, a distance of
2043 miles. Non-stop or refuel, any type aircraft, must arrive Cleveland
Airport before 6pm EST same day. With a purse of $15,000 the Bendix
was scheduled to arrive Cleveland on opening day of the National Air Races.
Eight entries were launched, two of the pilots would later become
United States Army Air Corps Generals. They were Jimmy Doolittle &
Ira Eaker.
Vincent Bendix and Trophy
Bendix Trophy Winner
Laird "Super Solution" , pilot Jimmy Doolittle
Thompson Trophy Race
A small airplane Company by the name of Granville Bros. Aircraft Co. of
Springfield Massachusetts entered a radical new design, the work of
engineer Robert Hall. The design given the nickname, "Gee Bee", it
was built“around” the Pratt and Whitney “Wasp” engine that powered
the airplane. At, the ,controls, was ,airline ,pilot ,Lowell Bayles, from,
Mason, Illinois.
Gee bee Model "Z"
The original intent of the Thompson Trophy Race was to be an International
event. None of the European pilots of Countries invited entered the prestigious
race. Al Williams trip to Europe was successful in bringing several of Europe's
best aerobatic pilots. Capt. Boleslaw Orlinsky of Poland, Major Ernst Udet of
Germany, Commander Mario de Bernardi of Italy, Captain Atcherley of England
and Captain Alois Kubita of Czechoslovakia to name a few. While noneof them
flew in the races all demonstrated their flying skills and their aircraft. Perhaps
the favorite of the air race was Ernst Udet who performed difficult aerobatics with
his low-powered "Flamingo". Udet thrilled the crowd by picking up a handkerchief
off the grass with his wing tip. Major Ernst Udet a German ace in WW I shot down
an American pilot by the name of Wanamaker, Udet landed next to his crashed
Newport 28 and offered him a cigarette while waiting for German Medics to arrive.
At the same time Udet cut the tail fabric containing the pilots number as a prize of
war. When Udet arrived at the races he arranged for Wanamaker, now the
Mayor of Akron, Ohio to be in the stands. Udet had the fabric of Wanamaker's
plane framed and presented it to him. It is now on display at the Air Force Museum
in Dayton, Ohio
Wanamaker's tail fabric
( Adam Snelly photo)
Major Ernst Udet
Udet's "Flamingo"
American and Foreign pilots relax together in front of the stands
Shell 3-Kilometer Speed Dash
| Men's Trophy | Women's Trophy |
| Lowell Bayles | Maude Tait |
Bendix Trophy Race
Thompson Trophy Race
1 Out in Lap 7 Engine Problem
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