The American #6 Pope-Toledo and the French #7 Panhard
Each race car carried two men, the driver and a mechanic called a riding mechanician. The mechanician assisted with repairs, helped navigate the course, and worked a hand pump to maintain oil pressure. Outclassed by the Europeans’ powerful racers, some with large 90-hp engines, the five American starters included modified touring cars such as 24-hp #6 Pope-Toledo driven by Herb Lytle. Following the Pope-Toledo was the French 90-hp #7 Panhard driven by George Heath.
