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Pan-Pacific Road Race

The genesis of the Pan-Pacific Road Race was the tremendous success of local races such as this one run in Visalia, California on Nov. 28, 1912. The ability of the Visalia Road Race to draw crowds of over 50,000 spectators was one of the reasons why the Pan-Pacific organizers chose it as one of the checkpoints between Los Angeles and Sacramento. Photo: Blain Collection

Before paved roads became common and state highways were still an unrealized dream, driving from Southern to Northern California was a major undertaking sure to tax both man and machine.

Cross-country auto racing was such a foreign idea that early-day long distance competitions commanded enormous public interest.

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