The BENDIX RACES

Vincent Bendix, president of Bendix Aviation Corp. proposed a free-for-all transcontinental speed race to rival the Thompson Air races in importance. The first Bendix race was to be held in 1931, starting on the West coast and finishing at Cleveland during the National Air Races. Prize money for the 3 winners would equal fifteen thousand dollars. The Bendix started from Mines Field in Los Angeles, Van Nuys Airport after WWII and from San Francisco and was even run from East to West but the first race and a total of eight, started from Burbank, CA....the record books may say 'Los Angeles' because at the time, Union Air Terminal at Burbank was the main terminal for the LA area.

Bendix Race, 1931

The first Bendix race was held on Sept. 4, 1931. The 8 planes were lined up at United Airport, Burbank, CA.
Harold Johnson, Lockheed 'Orion'
Beeler Blevins, Lockheed 'Orion'
Lur Reichers, Lockheed 'Altair'
James Hall, Lockheed 'Altair'
Captain Ira Eaker, Lockheed 'Altair'
Art Goebel, Lockheed 'Vega'
Walter Hunter, Travel Air R
Jimmy Doolittle, Laird 'Super Solution' biplane

"At 2:30 am the pilots were all abooard, with engines fitfully booming, ready to go. At two-thirty-five the first starting signal was given and the maiden voyage for the Bendix Trophy was under way. The aircraft were sent away at intervals just long enough to ensure that they wouldn't tangle with each other at the dark end of the runway, and within a few minutes their only trace was a giant faint drone from the inky sky as they thundered eastward."

Results:
Jimmy Doolittle, 9 hours:10 minutes: 21 seconds.
Harold Johnson, 10:14:22
Beeler Blevins, 10:49:33

Jimmy Doolittle, after passing low over the timing stand at the National Air Races, went on to set a transcontinental record to Newark, NJ of 11:16:10

Six out of eight planes were built by Lockheed Company. Is it any wonder that they started at Burbank, CA...the new home of the Lockheed Company?

Bendix Race, 1932

"As the aircraft were sent away from Burbank one by one, each with his own independent route to Cleveland..."

Starters:
Jimmy Doolittle, Laird 'Super Solution'
Russell Boardman, Granville Brothers 'R-1'
Lee Ghelback, Granville Bros. 'Gee Bee R-2'
Jimmy Wedell, 'Wedell-Williams # 44'
Roscoe Turner, 'Wedell-Williams'
Jimmy Haizlip, 'Wedell-Williams'
Claire Vance, seni flying wing transport

Results:
Jimmy Haizlip, 10:19:0
Roscoe Turner, 9:02:25
Lee Ghelback, 9:41:39

These excerpts are from a wonderful book....

"The Great Air Races", Don Vorderman. ISBN 0-553-29273-0