Ragtime Racers

Ragtime Racers We are the "Ragtime Racers"* an exhibition group of pre-1920 racecars *Now operating under the brand

Big thanks toFrank Walka, Robert Lott, Rory Kelleyfor all your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak 🔥!
08/21/2026

Big thanks to

Frank Walka, Robert Lott, Rory Kelley

for all your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak 🔥!

1914 10 29 Master Touches of Speed Virtuosos By H.A. Tarantous article MOTOR AGE 8.5x12
08/05/2026

1914 10 29 Master Touches of Speed Virtuosos By H.A. Tarantous article MOTOR AGE 8.5x12

Probably the most noteworthy personality competing at the 1909 Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) race meet at t...
08/04/2026

Probably the most noteworthy personality competing at the 1909 Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) race meet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is seen here: Erwin George "Cannon Ball" Baker. This was a few years before he was given the nickname "Cannon Ball" for his cross-country runs on bikes as well as cars.

Baker, an Indianapolis resident, was a hometown favorite. He was also an amateur at this point in his career. He is the only competitor to take part in both this FAM motorcycle meet and the Indianapolis 500, where he drove once, in 1922.

This image originally appeared in the July 13, 1909 Indianapolis News. You can find an extensive bio piece on Baker elsewhere on First Super Speedway. Below is the caption that appeared with the original picture:

"Among the many local motorcyclists who will compete in the national meet of the Federation of American Motorcyclists is Erwin G. Baker. Baker will enter all races in the meet for which he is eligible. He has been riding a motorcycle two years. Baker's latest performance was at Columbus, Ohio, where he captured second in a ten-mile handicap race on a mile track. In this race he rode against Freddie Huyck. De Gruncy and other riders of national reputation. Baker captured five thirds in this meet. Huyck and De Grunch being first and second. The Indianapolis boy is a daredevil rider and with the chances for unlimited speed which the Speedway will offer much is expected of him. Baker rides a 3.5 and five horsepower Indian."



Mark Dill
"The Legend of the First Super Speedway"
"The Master Driver of the World"
markgdill.com
www.FirstSuperSpeedway.com

Here's a beauty that will assure you a spot on the Ragtime Racers grid!!
07/23/2026

Here's a beauty that will assure you a spot on the Ragtime Racers grid!!

Same car, 115 years apart. The .motorsports EMF Racer at Tiedeman Cup Race in Savannah in 1911 and at Indianapolis Moto...
07/23/2026

Same car, 115 years apart. The .motorsports EMF Racer at Tiedeman Cup Race in Savannah in 1911 and at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2026 with the Ragtime Racers

In summer 1905, much of the automobile trade media railed against what they called "track racing." Community leaders saw...
07/23/2026

In summer 1905, much of the automobile trade media railed against what they called "track racing." Community leaders saw auto racing as a frivolous, dangerous pastime. Many drivers were injured or killed. Church groups paid rainmakers to spoil races.

https://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/photo-gallery/1905-rainmaker

Here is the last known photo of the “Whistling Billy”. This is also from the summer of 1905, when the car met its demise...
07/19/2026

Here is the last known photo of the “Whistling Billy”. This is also from the summer of 1905, when the car met its demise.

August 24, 1905, issue of The Automobile depicts the aftermath of driver Webb Jay's accident at the Kennilworth dirt horse track near Buffalo, New York, on August 19, 1905. This is a photo of the White Sewing Machine Company's "Whistling Billy" steam engine racer.

https://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/photo-gallery/webb-jay-buffalo-lake

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1 Cardinal Rd
Hilton Head Island, SC
29926

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