"Gentlemen, start your engines" (1952)

[Douglas G. Wilson]

"Iowa City Press Citizen" (Iowa City IA), 24 May 1952: p. 8, cols. 7-8:
"The Indianapolis 500":

<<... But the greatest thrill, for spectators and drivers alike, comes when
the starter lifts a megaphone to his mouth at precisely two minutes before
10 a.m. and shouts, "Gentlemen -- Start Your Engines!">>

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Looks like 9:58 a.m. in this piece.

My Gugelblick shows a remark to the effect that the famous instruction
became associated with the Indy 500 after 1946 (when the race was
reinstituted after WW II); another remark says "early 1950's". Just
unsupported Web-factoids.

-- Doug Wilson