Little 500 History
What is a relay race?
This type of race format is used in the Little 500, where riders switch in and out throughout the event.
In the Little 500, how many laps does each rider typically complete before a team exchange is required?
About 10 laps per rider (teams rotate frequently to maintain speed and endurance).
What IU stadium hosts the Little 500 race?
Bill Armstrong Stadium
What legendary IU cyclist won multiple Little 500 titles and is often cited among the race’s most successful riders?
Mark Dillman
What is the term for the mandatory bike exchange that teams perform throughout the race?
Exchange
What is Bill Armstrong Stadium?
The Little 500 takes place at this Indiana University track, named after a major IU donor.
What specific riding technique allows cyclists to conserve energy by riding closely behind another rider to reduce wind resistance?
Drafting
What IU student organization runs the Little 500?
IU Student Foundation
What IU alumnus and cycling advocate is often credited with helping grow Little 500’s national attention?
Frank McKinney
What traditional event showcases team riders and is held the night before the Little 500 race?
Little 500 Qualifications (Quals Night)
What is 1951?
This year marked the very first running of the Little 500 race.
For a legal exchange, what must be passed between riders in the exchange zone?
The bike
What is the minimum number of riders required on a Little 500 team roster?
4
Which IU women’s team holds multiple Little 500 race wins and is one of the most historically successful programs?
Kappa Alpha Theta
What is the minimum number of riders required on a Little 500 team roster?
4
Who is Howdy Wilcox II?
The Little 500 was founded by this IU student who later became a well-known radio personality.
What type of bike is used in the Little 500: geared or single-speed?
Single-speed
What is the purpose of qualifications (“qualifying time trials”) in Little 500?
To set race starting positions
What training system do Little 500 teams primarily use to simulate race conditions during preparation?
Indoor cycling / stationary training
What is the name of the system where teams rotate riders in and out throughout the race instead of using a single rider?
Relays (team rotation system)
What real-life cycling event inspired the creation of the Little 500 format?
Track cycling (specifically European-style team pursuit racing).
What is the primary cause of crashes when passing on turns?
Loss of traction
What is the length of one lap of the Little 500 track?
0.25 miles
Which female rider was the first to win both the Little 500 Women’s Race and also compete in the men’s Little 500?
Lauren Spence
What annual pre-race tradition determines starting positions for the Little 500 by timing teams’ fastest laps?
Qualifying Time Trials (Quals)