The Monthly July 2008 :: At the track: In his Curtiss biplane, pilot Lincoln Beachey challenges Barney Oldfield in his Simplex race car in the “Speed Championship of the World” on Jan. 10, 1914 in Emeryville. The race ended when Beachey’s plane nosedived into the track. Photo courtesy Oakland History Room/Oakland Public Library.

At the track: In his Curtiss biplane, pilot Lincoln Beachey challenges Barney Oldfield in his Simplex race car in the “Speed Championship of the World” on Jan. 10, 1914 in Emeryville. The race ended when Beachey’s plane nosedived into the track. Photo courtesy Oakland History Room/Oakland Public Library.