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Purdue Auto Club

 Person

Historical Information

The constitution of the Purdue Auto Club (PAC) was approved by the Dean of Students Office in October of 1979. The Club was in existence before this time, but the Dean of Students Office fully recognized the club and entitled it to all of the rights and privileges of campus organizations at this time.

As stated in the constitution, "The general purpose of the Club shall be to encourage the preservation, ownership, and operation of cars; to establish rules and regulations covering all activities of the Club; to provide and regulate events and exhibitions for cars and their owners; to encourage safe and skillful driving on public highways; and to own real and personal property as incidental to the foregoing purposes."

One of the activities of the Club in the early years was the sponsorship of the Purdue Grand Prix. The race needed a student organization to sponsor it, and beginning in 1958, the Purdue Auto Club was the original sponsor and governing body of the Purdue Grand Prix. However, upon the disbandment of the Purdue Auto Club, the longevity of the Grand Prix race was threatened. The student body wanted the Grand Prix to continue and so it was decided that a new organization needed to be formed to manage the race. The final draft of the Grand Prix Foundation's constitution was approved on November 9, 1965 and the Grand Prix Foundation has been the sanctioning body of the race since.

Per details in the scrapbook detailing the Club's activities, The Purdue Auto Club also sponsored running events for cars, not necessarily sports cars or fast cars. Events held were "Gymkhanas" (slalom), Rallies and Auto shows for skill and fun.

Little information is available about the Club beyond the 1970s.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Purdue Auto Club scrapbook

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSP 178
Scope and Contents The Purdue Auto Club scrapbook documents the activities of the club including call-outs, officers, members, "point standings," rally and slalom events, and event and club memorabilia. The scrapbook contains the club's newsletter, "The Front Line," which also provides details of the club's activities. 

Types of materials included in the scrapbook are: by-laws, constitution, flyers, event memorabilia, newsletters, press releases, and records.
Dates: 1973 - 1979