AAA and USAC Yearbooks

[rjohnson]

I'm seeking information on a subject that I know little about...

It is my understanding that the AAA Contest Board produced an annual yearbook, which, I believe, was last published in 1954. Is that end date correct, and does anyone know in what year they began publishing a yearbook? (If you are not sure of the precise beginning date of publication, what is the earliest AAA Yearbook in which you are aware?

USAC publishes (or published) yearbooks beginning, I believe, in 1956. Is the beginning date correct? Do they still publish a paper yearbook (I'm guessing not)? Does anyone know the last year that a paper version of a USAC yearbook was published that included the Indianapolis 500 results? Assuming there was a 1997 USAC Yearbook, did it include coverage of the Indianapolis 500, it being the last year that USAC was the sanctioning body for the 500?

Thanks.

[lotuspoweredbyford]

Are you referring to the "Contest Board" results books which are just results without photographs or stories?

[rjohnson]

Lotus, I have very limited knowledge about what the AAA Contest Board published…not even sure what they were called. We’re they called Results Books? Any help you can provide to enlighten me would be most appreciated.

[Michael Ferner]

There was a 1955 AAA Yearbook, called "1955 AAA Contest Board Activity". The earliest example I am aware of is from 1947. USAC started issuing yearbooks in 1956, under the name of "United States Auto Club 1956 Record Book". I have no idea when (or if) they stopped publishing those; the last I have knowledge of is from 1971.

[rjohnson]

Thanks for that information...every little bit helps with my understanding of these publications.

Rick

[helioseism]

My list shows AAA Yearbooks (Contest Board Reports) for the years 1907 (the first one), 1910, 1925, and then 1947-1955 inclusive. The postwar ones were all mimeographed. Clymer published the two years 1950 and 1951 together. The only photos in the Clymer book are of trophies.

USAC Yearbooks were published 1966 through 1998-1999. They became Yearbook/Media Guides starting with 1981-1982.

[Bart]

USAC Yearbooks were published 1966 through 1998-1999. They became Yearbook/Media Guides starting with 1981-1982.

This is partially true. USAC started yearbooks in their first year in existence, 1956. This is a lot of books (not a complete set) I just sold which includes 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980.

Bart

[richie]

USAC published a yearbook every year from 1956-2006. When I began working at USAC in 2014, I brought the yearbook back. I have created one every year between 2015-present, but it is now called the USAC Triple Crown Annual and is always available at the USAC Merchandise trailer at each National event and online at https://usacgear.com/. This past year's edition will be completed within the next couple weeks.

[Belanger99]

Clymer published an Official AAA Record book for 1950. The AA Contest Board "reports" were "books" and at least in 1952&53 were also press guides. The first USAC "yearbook" was actually called a record book on the cover, after that they were yearbooks and later yearbooks and media guides.
The last printed USAC book was in 2007 covering the 2006 season. For 2008 I believe a CD-Rom was sent out, and that ended the USAC "yearbooks". None were produced in any form after that (at least as far as I know).

The 1955 AAA version is one of the few I do not have. The AAA versions contained limited information, usually event winners, point standings and track records. The early USAC versions were some of the same, though at some point USAC would produce the full results of every championship race. In the 1970's you would get full USAC Stock boxscores as well as championship and dirt track division boxscores, and mini (First 12) results for midget/sprint events.

[rjohnson]

Thank you all. This has been most informative.

[helioseism]

Yes, thanks for the extra information! Plus the USAC site is advertising a new book on USAC midgets. But I don't see the Triple Crown Annual mentioned by richie.

[richie]

Yes, thanks for the extra information! Plus the USAC site is advertising a new book on USAC midgets. But I don't see the Triple Crown Annual mentioned by richie.

Triple Crown Annual will be finished up in a couple weeks!

Also, I’ve recently updated the “History” section of the USAC website. A lot more to go, but getting there little by little.

[Bart]

Triple Crown Annual will be finished up in a couple weeks!

Also, I’ve recently updated the “History” section of the USAC website. A lot more to go, but getting there little by little.

Richie,

Thank you for all you do. You have really stepped up the USAC history sources. Much appreciated.

Bart