Channel Craft - Rulers of Auto Racing

12" Wooden Ruler made in U.S.A. of American-grown basswood. Automobile racing has existed as long as the automobile. The first known race between two self-powered road vehicles happened on August 30, 1867, and traced an 8-mile route from Ashton-under-Lyne to Old Trafford, both near Manchester, England. These early races often had a dual purpose, on the one hand they were meant as a reliability trial, and on the other hand they were meant to arouse interest in this new form of transportation. Our ruler lists each driver by name, followed by their main achievement. The order of names is chronological by date of their arrival onto the racing scene. The “head” image is that of crossed checkered flags. It is unknown where the black and white checkered flag came from. The first known use is at the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup race in Long Island, New York. Two flags waved simultaneously now means that a hazard blocks the track and the driver should be prepared to stop.