Kern County Road Race

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

What’s more exciting than fast cars and fireworks? In 1911, nothing.

When the discovery of Bakersfield’s oil in the early 1900s didn’t garner the national recognition that Kern River oilmen believed it deserved, they hatched a plan and brought it to the attention of the City of Bakersfield.

The proposal? A 150-mile automobile race on July 4, 1911, featuring the fastest cars in the country. It would be the first great Kern County road race and a day that would put all local gatherings before it to shame.

But there needed to be big prize money to draw in the drivers, so community fundraising efforts began. When it was noticed that local saloons (which stood to profit nicely from the event) hadn’t donated a dollar, The Bakersfield Californian ran advertisements from anti-saloon organizations on the front page until the stingy taverns anted up. Ultimately, donations ranged from $0.10 all the way up to $200. The Tevis brothers even donated a $1,000 silver trophy cup that was named (surprise, surprise) the “Tevis Cup Trophy.”

The track started on the south end of Jewett Lane, then proceeded north across the Kern River Bridge to China Grade Loop Road, then to Gordon’s Ferry Bridge, and south to China Grade. After the grade, a dirt road went south to North Baker Street, then west on Bernard Street back to the Jewett Lane starting line where drivers would be greeted by a grandstand of fans.

When the Fourth of July arrived, 10,000 spectators lined the track and the bluffs (where there was a full view of the course). Shouts from the crowd could be heard for miles and, as the race drew to a close, everyone was on their feet. The favorite pick in the early morning had been Bert Dingley in his Pope-Hartford, but after a grueling 11 laps and tire trouble in lap 8, he was out of the race and finished second. Driving star Harvey Herrick, in his National, was the hero of the day, being the only driver to complete all 14 laps and 150 miles. He took home first prize ($2,000) and the Tevis Cup.

The July 4th race was hailed as “Bakersfield’s greatest day” by the Californian. And so began a long tradition of auto racing in Kern County—a tradition that includes a love of roaring engines and squealing tires. That first race, created to put Bakersfield on the map, made the local residents of 1911 proud to call Bakersfield home.

Photo Courtesy Chris Brewer

Article appeared in our 28-1 Issue - April 2011