May 07, 2020 - Sale 2534

Sale 2534 - Lot 390

Price Realized: $ 469
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750
ARGUES FOR "PERMITTING NEGRO'S TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY RACE" (SPORTS--AUTO RACING.) Bailey, J.K. A white race track owner defends his decision to rent his track for a "negro race." Typed draft letter (not signed) as president of the Dayton Speedway to T.E. Allen of the American Automobile Association in Washington, DC. 2 pages, 11 x 8 1/2 inches, on 2 sheets; pair of manuscript corrections, folds, light paper clip stain. Dayton, OH, 1 July 1935
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The first organized African-American racing circuit was the Colored Speedway Association in 1924. On 23 June 1935, a race advertised as a "National Negro Auto Race Championship" was held at the typically all-white Dayton Speedway in Ohio. The winner was Charlie Wiggins, the first great black driver, known as "the Negro Speed King."
The president of the track, Dr. Jesse Kersey Bailey Jr. (1888-1970), was apparently chastised by the American Automobile Association for allowing the race on his track. The organization we know today as Triple-A was at that point involved in sanctioning car racing in addition to providing roadside assistance to its members. Dr. Bailey drafted this response, defending his decision: "In reference to the negro race, we did not know we were violating any rules or regulations by permitting these men to rent the track for one day. At first we refused but pressure by colored citizens (political representatives), their talk of discrimination, etc.--we yielded. Also, nothing is mentioned in the Rule Book about the policy of not permitting negro's to participate in any race what-so-ever. (In my opinion, it is wrong not to permit them to do so). We have an investment in the track, and intend to work out of it to the best of our ability."