The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-11
FOR AN INDIANA CIRCUIT
PLAN TO ESTABLISH PROFESSIONAL
BICYCLE RACING HERE.
Under the Present system the "Ama-
teur' Is q Mfsnomer-Iocal Track
Middle still Unsettled.

There 10 now a plan on foot which. n
consummated, will give Indiana plenty or
bicycle racing next year. 1t Is 10 organize
an Indiana circuit for professional riders.
At the present time TO become a profess
sional and stand any chance of winning
anything requires greater speed than the
large majority of Indiana riders now pos
sess. For that reason they are compelled
10 remain in the amateur ranks. which Is
the greatest piece of imposition ever foisted
upon a confdtng public. Under the present
rules OF the L. A W. an
amateur is rider Who has
never competed In any race for a money
prize; who has never competed in a race
with professional: who has never been
paced trained by a professional; who
has never sold or I'm any way disposed OF
any of his prizes so to realize cash for
them-in fact, rider who simply spends
his money going from place to place, pay
ing entry fees and losing his time for the
pleasure of competing in a race and wins
ming $40 diamond pins valued by the race
promoters at sS5. If he should drop
low as third place. winning a pair OF shoes
or a hat some other equally common
place thing Such is an amateur.
1t does not take a diagram to show the
main such in spirit as well as name. must
have a bank account much larger than that
of the ordinary local racing men. and IL
will also be seen that at the end OF a sea-
son that bank account will have dwindled
quite perceptibly without any possible
chance to replenish IL from winnings or
prize money, for these prizes are sacred
and must not be sold.
1t is to obviate this state of affairs that
the Indiana circuit is proposed. The de-
tails of the plan have not been fully con.
sidered. but IL Is probable that a limit
except for one free-for-all race would be
s25 for first prize, $40 for second and S. for
third. This would give the local riders
worth winning and that will pay hotel bills
and buy new clothes and the many other
things that are just as necessary TO the
racing man as TO the commonplace being.
Those who are now amateurs could then
turn professional and have plenty OF race
meets TO attend. The prizes would not be
the arger circuits and would thus leave the
competition among riders OF nearly equal
ability.
This plan would also bring Indiana for
ward a racing State and develop some
Of the good material now here. but In :
crude state. Indiana has some first-clase
am..teur riders but under the present rules
If the l.. A. w. they are tied down TO their
own State. and by the amateur system
they are prevented from developing they
would IL they could have broader competi-
ton. as would often be the case on the
proposed Indiana circuit.
The circuit would begin with race meets
ing I'm this city early in the summer. and
there would be other meetings about once
a month i'm this city. Any other towns that
could afford to offer about 500 for days
-acjng could join the circuit. There are
llany such in the State. Then when the
cohnty-fair season opened the circuit would
nrooably follow the fair circuits. probably
olding two meets at the same time In
! di.;erent parts of the State. The season
would close with a big free-for-an event.
/ with largely increased purses. This matter
.s n the hands of the Indiana polls Cycle
/ Track Association, and its promoters think
| Il will be one OF the important factors OF
racing in Indiana next year.
! Ed. II. Croninger. of Cincinnati, member
J Of the L. A. w. racing board. who has
| nnarge OF racing matters I'm Indiana has
/ cot yet given his decision which will settle
the mudde in which the promoters OF
two bicycle tracks I'm this city have be-
come involved. Before leaving here Me-
Cronnger intimated that he would bk
4 compelled 10 protect the Cycle Trek As
ISOLATION in the sanctions already granted
! for every Saturday after Sept. !. but did not
say IN whaf nv, way ne woula proSec, the as
| sanctions for every Friday, and the asso-
! citation argues that this would practically
| be giving a conflicting date, as those who
l attend one day would not go the next
day Mr.. croninger's final answer IL ex-
| pccted to-day.
John Il. orman, of the Cycle Track As
| ISOLATION. VIII go TO Louisville. to-day for
the purpose OF securing as much of inter-
i est az possible for the race meeting OF
| next week. He wants TO secure the inn
| mense tricycle. which will be exhibited
| there. The rear wheels are eleven feet
| in height VI requires eight men to pro-
pc, II. Ii was built by a tire manufacturer
| 10 exhibit his tires.
III. T. Hearsey. Lew Keck. +. X. Staiey.
! Tom Hay Carl Fisher and number OF
| local wheelmen Will go to Louisville
Thursday TO attend the l.. A w. meeting.