1938 Pacific International Air Races

 

 

(Gary Williams Collection)

 

Early in 1938 a small group of aviation enthusiasts gathered with
the backing of the Exchange Club and requested The National Air
Races to hold their 1938 National Air Races in the San Francisco
Bay Area. When the reply came stating regretfully, the races were
committed  to  Cleveland  Ohio. With  the  promise of  financial aid
from many  local businessmen the group decided to "go it on their
own" calling the event  The "Pacific International Air Races"  under
the  direction  of  James  Rowan  Ewing "A experienced Air Race
Promoter". As race time drew near, much of the financial support
of the local business men started melting away. Total prize money
of  $25,000  attracted a representative  group  of  flyers. The three
day event was scheduled for the May 29th , 30th & 31st.

 

1938 Oakland 549 ci Free-For-All Race
9 Laps-75 Miles-May 28

   Place   Pilot  Race No     Aircraft   Speed
       1  Tony LeVier      70  Firecracker  249.351
       2  Steve Wittman    111  Chief Oshkosh  247.934
       3  Art Chester      5   The Jeep    -------
       4  Gus Gotch     11   The Foo    -------
       5  Russ Chambers     21  Chambermaid    -------
       6  Marion McKeen     33  Miss LA    -------

 

1938 Oakland 549 ci Free-for-all Race
12 Laps-100 Miles-May 29

 

  Place   Pilot  Race No    Aircraft  Speed
      1  Tony LeVier      70   Firecracker  251.010
      2   Art Chester       5   The Jeep  223.853
      3   Marion McKeen      33    Miss LA   --------
      4   Russ Chambers      21   Chambermaid   --------
      5   Steve Wittman     111   Chief Oshkosh   --------
      6   Gus Gotch      11   The Foo      1

                                                                      1 Crashed fatally into the bay on lap 1


1938 Oakland Golden Gate International Exposition Trophy Race
18 Laps-150 Miles-May 30

 

  Place        Pilot   Race No      Aircraft  Speed
      1   Earl Ortman      4  Marcoux  265.539
      2   Roscoe Turner     29  Meteor  265.457
      3   Tony LeVier     70  Firecracker  260.762
      4   Ray Moore     -----  Seversky   ----------
      5   Art Chester      5  The Jeep   ----------
      6   Steve Wittman      2   Bonzo   ----------
      7   Marion McKeen     33   Miss LA   ----------

 

Earl Ortman's only victory over Roscoe Turner,

 

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