Sig Haugdahl
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sigurd Olson “Sig” Haugdahl (born January 10, 1891 in Norway - died February 4, 1970) was a unofficial land speed record holder, IMCA champion, and a contributor to NASCAR's formation. Haugdahl immigrated to Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Contents |
[edit] Racing career
His U.S. racing career in 1912, when he drove a specially equipped Indian Motorcycle in ice races in Minnesota. He began his dirt racing career in 1918. He became the IMCA champion. He built the Wisconsin Special to unseat USAC champion Tommy Milton. The car was named after its 836 cubic inch Wisconsin Airplane 6-cylinder motor, which was directly connected to the rear wheels. The car was 192 inches (488 cm) long, 20 inches wide, and 250 horsepower. The speed would first be exceeded after over ten years.
[edit] World speed record
Sig set a world record pace of 180 miles per hour (mph) in the Wisconsin Special at the Daytona Beach Road Course in April 7, 1922. He broke the previous world record by 24 mph. Sig's run was not considered a world record because he was not a member of the American Automobile Association at the time because he was a member of the rival IMCA.
[edit] Daytona Beach Road Course
World land speed record attempts moved from Daytona to the more consistent surface at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1935. Daytona Beach officials asked local race Haugdahl to organize and promote an automobile race along the 3.2 mile course. Haugdahl is credited for designing the track. The city posted at $5,000 purse. The ticket-takers arrived at the event to find thousands of fans already at the track. The sandy turns became virtually impassible, and the event was stopped after 75 of 78 laps. The city has not promoted an event since.
Haugdahl talked with another local driver named William France Sr., and they talked the Daytona Beach Elks Club to host another event in 1937. The event was more successful, but still lost money. Haugdahl didn't promote any more events. France used the experience to found NASCAR.
[edit] Award
Sig was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994.
[edit] Reference
The Unauthorized NASCAR Fan Guide 1998-99, Bill Fleischman and Al Pearce, 1999.
