Welcome to the website for Fastest of the First, a research project of the Belcher Foundation.  Fastest of the First:  A Complete History of the Inaugural 1911 Indianapolis 500 Including the Driving of the Fastest Laps by Fred W. Belcher, is a book published by the Belcher Foundation that tells the exciting story of the first Indianapolis 500 auto race and of Fred W. Belcher, the dashing young driver who drove the fastest laps in that historic race.

On May 30, 1911 at Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indianapolis 500, the greatest automobile race in the world and the event that would set the mark for all future auto racing, had its first running.  The purpose of this website and the book Fastest of the First is to help preserve the memory and details of that important and historic event.

On this website, you will find a summary of the 1911 Indy 500, a summary of statistics from that race, interesting trivia concerning the race, and a brief biography of Fred W. Belcher.  To learn more, please consider purchasing a copy of the book Fastest of the First, which contains a complete history of the first Indianapolis 500, biographical information on all 40 drivers in the race, descriptions and specifications of all 40 cars in the race, an account of the activities and preparations leading up to the race, a biography of Fred W. Belcher and his driving of the fastest laps, statistics on the first Indy 500 and Fred Belcher's racing career, information on other races of the time period including the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup, and over 200 photographs and images including cars and drivers.

As the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Indianapolis 500 occurred in 2011, now is the time to purchase your copy of Fastest of the First and learn all about the very first running of the Indy 500 and the men and machines who made that event a reality.  Also now available in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Indianapolis 500 and Fred W. Belcher's driving of the fastest laps at that historic race, is an 8" x10" commemorative print of Fred Belcher and the No. 15 Knox race car.  For ordering information on the book as well as the print, please click on the Ordering Information tab to the left.

Pictured at the top of this web page is Fred W. Belcher behind the wheel of the No. 15 Knox, the driver and car that made the fastest laps at the first Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911.

During May 2011 -- one hundred years after Fred Belcher drove the fastest laps at the first Indianapolis 500 -- the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 was celebrated including the 100th anniversary running of the Indianapolis 500, and Fastest of the First was there.  During May 2011 and on race day (May 29, 2011), Fastest of the First was available in the gift shops at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  For more, see the slide show below.