The 1936 American auto racing season was centered around the AAA National Championship Trail, which remained the premier series for professional drivers in the United States. That year, the AAA sanctioned a limited number of championship races — typically 7 to 10 major events on dirt and paved tracks, including the iconic Indianapolis 500, which continued to dominate the season’s points and prestige. Maurice “Morrie” Kizer, Louis Meyer, and Billy Arnold were among the top competitors, with the championship emphasizing consistency across multiple venues rather than sheer race count. The season also featured numerous non-championship events, exhibitions, and handicaps that allowed emerging drivers to compete and draw large crowds. The Indianapolis 500 of 1936 was especially notable, as it showcased technological advances in engine performance and aerodynamics, while trackside safety remained rudimentary by modern standards.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Grand Prix racing resumed cautiously, though the continent was increasingly under tension in the years leading up to World War II. Races in Germany, Italy, and France saw the rise of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union as dominant manufacturers, with drivers like Rudolf Caracciola and Bernd Rosemeyer beginning to define the era of high-speed, streamlined Grand Prix cars. The contrast between the U.S. focus on oval speedway racing and Europe’s advanced road-course Grand Prix scene highlighted different approaches to automotive competition during the mid-1930s.
Despite economic challenges and the lingering effects of the Great Depression, 1936 remained a significant year for both American board-track and dirt-track racing and the evolution of international Grand Prix competition, reflecting the global passion for speed and mechanical innovation.
1936 John Player & Sons “Motor Cars”
1936 John Player & Sons “Motor Cars”
Speed Marvels of 1936
Stephen Mitchell & Son (UK) “A Gallery of 1936”
1936 Stephen Mitchell & Son (UK) “A Gallery of 1935”