George R. Bentel
George Roy Bentel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 1952 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Automobile dealer, racing promoter |
| Known for | Original proprietor of Legion Ascot Speedway; National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee (2010) |
George Roy Bentel (July 2, 1876 – February 27, 1952) was a prominent American automobile dealer and recognized as the original proprietor of the Legion Ascot Speedway.[1] In recognition of his impact on motorsports, Bentel was honored with induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2010.[2]
Early Life
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bentel was the son of Frank A. Bentel and Mary (Wolf) Bentel. Following his graduation from high school in 1892, he commenced his career at Henry Sproul & Co., a brokerage firm in Pittsburgh. By 1900, he had relocated to Los Angeles, California.[2]
Career as an Automobile Dealer
Bentel began his involvement in the automotive sector in 1907, serving as the West Coast distributor for both the Rainier and American Mercedes brands. In 1910, he secured representation for Simplex and Mercer on the Pacific Coast. The geographic scope of his Mercer dealership rapidly expanded to cover all territories west of Denver, Colorado, extending from the Canadian border down to Mexico. Additionally, Bentel's enterprise Coleman & Bentel Co. became the official distributor for Michelin tires in Los Angeles by 1912.[2] Two years later, he established a Mercer showroom in Seattle, Washington.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name In 1916, Bentel took on the role of West Coast distributor for the Jordan Motor Car Company.[2]
From August 1913 until July 1917, Bentel operated his Los Angeles salesroom and mechanical workshop at separate locations. These facilities were consolidated into a newly constructed four-story building in August 1917.[3] That same year, he introduced the Ascot Speedway model—a Mercer racing vehicle featuring a custom body designed by former racer Glover Ruckstell that incorporated advanced comfort elements for its passengers.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The Bentel Company promoted itself with the tagline "where motor styles originate," embracing a policy that permitted customers to select their preferred color schemes.[3]
Racing promoter
Towards the end of 1915, Bentel assumed the role of Chairman for the Contest Committee at the original Ascot Park speedway. Under his leadership, the promotion thrived. Throughout the latter part of the 1910s, Bentel had several prominent drivers, such as Barney Oldfield, Eddie Pullen, and Eddie Rickenbacker, compete in his Mercer vehicles on the West Coast. After transferring his lease of Ascot to the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1919, Bentel revealed intentions to establish a new oval racetrack at a different location soon thereafter.
It was not until late 1923 that Bentel secured a long-term lease on land near Lincoln Park, where he planned to build the second Ascot track. The new venue officially opened in January 1924, attracting an audience of 35,000. Bentel’s efforts in promoting Ascot during its initial months proved both popular and financially rewarding. However, following the Thanksgiving Day road race in 1924, drivers raised concerns over unpaid earnings, resulting in Bentel receiving a suspended 30-day jail sentence for false advertising. By January 1925, control of Ascot shifted to the creditors' committee of the Ascot Speedway Association, which resumed operations under fresh management.
Lawsuits and controversies
Throughout his career, Bentel faced numerous legal challenges, acting both as a broker and an automobile dealer.
One notable case involved a dispute with the Merchants' National Bank of Santa Monica. In 1913, A.R. Fraser initiated legal action against Bentel, resulting in a verdict favoring Fraser; Bentel subsequently filed an appeal.
In 1921, Bentel partnered with Oliver Morosco to establish Morosco Productions, a film company, and also created Morosco Holdings, a real estate development firm. The latter aimed to construct a theme park spanning 100 acres. However, in 1924, both partners were indicted related to this project. By 1926, Bentel was found guilty of mail fraud for defrauding investors through stock manipulation, while Morosco was cleared of all accusations.
Personal life
In 1897, Bentel wed Harriet Chaney. They had one daughter named Margaret. Bentel passed away on February 27, 1952, in Los Angeles.