As told by Harley Stewart
A group of five evenly matched 'Coupes took off for their assembly point - a small lake some five miles distant.
I drove down the active runway, and there, with Johnny Livingston, who needs no introduction, we waited for the "downhill" leg of this race. And friends, "downhill" is exactly the word, for just before take-off, the FAA gave the racers permission to come in low over the runway, for their finish, and coming in low, hot and fast is just how this race finished! From the moment the planes were sighted, on their return to the field, it could be seen the fellows were serious about wanting to be first.
Closer and closer they came, both to us and to the ground, and faster and faster, their speed. Coming head-on, it was impossible to tell the relative position of the planes, but as they neared the far end of the runway the high pitched scream of the engines was very evident, and with the planes tightly bunched and only a few feet off the ground, I feel perfectly safe in saying that these fellows had our undivided attention.
So tightly grouped were the planes that I'm sure the first three over the line must have been using the same second of time, for their finish! First, 2nd and 3rd in a very thrilling finish, were Joe Jones, Jerry Edwards and Jack McCarthy with young Dave Jameson as copilot. Following closely were Jim Harvey and Paul Hamilton, completing one of the closest and most thrilling races I've seen for many a day.
#1 NC11760 Model 90AL flown by Joe Jones now owned by Richard Davis:
#2 NC-87622 Model 90AL flown by Jerry Edwards believed to be now owned by Brian Walker, but registration cancelled 2013:
#3 NC12345 Model 110 flown by Jack McCarthy now hanging in museum in MD
#4 NC38902 Model 90AF flown by Jim Harvey ship destroyed in accident 1970, no picture yet but I'm trying to get one
$5 NC18642 Model 110 flown by Paul Hamilton ship now clipped and on display at Creve Couer museum:
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