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What: “Where They Raced: Auto Racing Venues in Los Angeles, 1900-1990” By Harold L. Osmer.

Price: $25; P.O. Box 4741, Chatsworth CA 91313.

Where do you suppose the first motor race was held in Southern California?

How about a hill climb up what is now Christmas Tree Lane, near the border of Pasadena and Altadena, an incline of 11.3%, a steep climb for Thomas Flyers, Packards and Apperson Jackrabbits of the day. The winner of the 1906 inaugural averaged 12 mph.

Barney Oldfield finished second in 1909 behind Edgar Apperson, who built his own Jackrabbit.

This almost forgotten fact was uncovered by Harold L. Osmer while writing a master’s thesis in geography at Cal State Northridge. Osmer began a search for “10 to 15 race tracks” in and around Los Angeles, and before his research was completed, he had discovered more than 100.

Some of the more interesting: a mile board track where the Beverly Wilshire Hotel is today; road races on the streets of Santa Monica, Corona and Venice, more than 50 years before Long Beach hosted its first Grand Prix; midget car races inside the Rose Bowl and Coliseum; a sports car race on the Dodger Stadium parking lot and four tracks called Ascot.

The book is enhanced with historical photographs and maps that tell as much about the growth of the area as they do of the long lost race tracks.