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closeGreat Race Centennial covers a lot of ground
ELMER PLOETZ
The Buffalo News, N.Y.
Thursday, Jul. 24, 2008
The 1908 New York-to-Paris automobile race took 5 1/2 months.
Preparing to celebrate its centennial? Four years.
The Concord Historical Society will see its work culminate this weekend with the Great Automobile Race Centennial, stretching out over four days and from Buffalo to Springville.
More than 100 vintage cars - including several dating to before 1920 - are expected for a parade in Springville on Saturday, with many of them also participating in a driving tour of Buffalo's race-related sites Friday.
There also will be a dinner gala in the Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum on Friday night and a full schedule of events in Springville on Saturday and Sunday.
That's all to celebrate the July 30, 1908, finish of the race, with Buffalonians George Schuster and George Miller rolling into Paris after a 169-day, 22,000-mile trip (traveling 13,341 miles on land in the Buffalo-made Thomas Flyer.)
The race changed the perception of automobile travel in America and around the world as cars from the U. S., Germany, France and Italy tried to be the first to finish the trip from New York City across North America, Asia and Europe.
The oldest vehicle participating this weekend may be the museum's 1909 Thomas Flyer, "if we can get it running," said museum director Jim Sandoro. "It hasn't been operated in a few years."
It would be in the Buffalo activities and will be on display whether it's in the tour or not.
Schuster later settled in Springville, living there until his death on July 4, 1972, at age 99. He operated an early Dodge dealership in the community.
''I'm just viewing this as a great family time," Centennial Committee Chairman Don Orton said of the event. "There's something for all age levels, and this has really brought the community together, so many different organizations are getting together and helping with it."
Among the events will be a pair of performances by Jeff Mahl in period costume as his great-grandfather, Schuster.
Mahl, author of "The Great Automobile Race," said he varies the performance with every audience, relying on Schuster's stories and research on the race. The Springville performances will be special, Mahl said.
''With 169 days of racing, every day was a story in itself, so there will be plenty to choose from," Mahl said. "On top of that, I'm sure there will be a number of people in the audience who knew great-gramp."
Friday's driving tour by vintage autos will begin at noon, followed by the free car show from 4 to 6 p. m. in front of the museum at 263 Michigan Ave. The buffet dinner and cash bar at 6:30 will precede talks and book-signings by authors Mahl, Julie Fenster and Lauren Fix.
Fenster wrote "The Race of the Century" about the 1908 event, and Fix, of Clarence, is the author of "Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car."
Museum entry is $10. Admission to the buffet and program will be $35, with proceeds going to the museum. Call 853-0084 for reservations.