Romano Special, 1915

 From the May 10, 1915 Salem Capital Journal.

 

a couple photos of the Romano Special of Seattle

Something to tide me over for a day. There are more photos of the Romano Special to be had from the Oregon Newspaper archive. I just have to get them organized. Which is why I need a day.

The car made it to Vancouver over those early years.

Rea Lentz and the Romano, some more from 1915

My research in the P-I stops before the big Tacoma AAA race. The microfilm at UBC waves to me from across town. Someday more will be found....

In the meantime records, possibly world records, were said to have been set at Madison Park in Seattle.

some more about Ray Lentz, 1915

The driver and car were the hot combination on the northwest dirt tracks.

Rae Lentz and the Romano, 1915

Some early season races where Rae (Rea, Ray) Lentz and the Romano Special made the news.

some Romano Special photos

Been meaning to get these up. The site I got them from -- Artemis Images -- seems to be temporarily down.

Rae Lentz drove the Romano Special to victory at the first Pikes Peak hill climb back in 1916.

rea lentz in the romano

While there will be more about Rea Lentz racing the Seattle-based Romano Special in Vancouver in future posts here is one reason why this car is important.

It won the first Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1916. The above clipping is from the Seattle PI.

Years later Vancouver-based driver, and first SCCBC president, Roy Shadbolt went to the Peak.