ROME — John Taibi, a local author, was the guest speaker at the Mohican Model A Ford Club’s recent gathering on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Franklin Hotel, 301 S. James St.

Taibi discussed the Great Auto Race of 1908 which began at Times Square in New York City on Feb. 12, 1908.

The race was a huge event, with more than 250,000 people gathered to cheer the start of a race, which was set to circle the globe by automobile from its start in New York City to its end in Paris.

The Great Auto Race of 1908 would become the longest automobile competition in history, often taking place with no roads and during the bitter cold winter.

George Schuster, driver and captain along with George Miller, mechanic, drove the 1907 Thomas Flyer car representing the United States along with other national teams from France, Italy, and Germany.

The teams raced across three continents and drove more than 22,000 miles in 169 days winning the race.

A hero’s welcome and ticker tape parade greeted the winners upon their triumphant return to New York City.

President Teddy Roosevelt, the first American president to drive an automobile, invited the U.S. team and its Thomas car to join him at his summer White Home in Sagamore Hill, Long Island.

The feat has never been equaled and still holds the world record over 100 years later, Taibi told the club.

The actual flyer has been restored and is in the National Auto Museum in Reno, Nevada, Taibi said, adding area residents will have a rare opportunity to see the car, which will be on display at the Buffalo Transportation Museum from May through July. The 115th anniversary celebration will take place July 24-30 at the Buffalo Pierce Arrow Museum.