The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-08-08
SOME FAST RACING
GRISW0LD PABK TRACK UNDER
GOING THOROUGH REPAIRS.

OVlNO AuUhUUGd hbTAlhSs
During the Past Few Days the Select
Knights of Rest Cycling Club Have had
Men at Work Putting the Track in Ad-
mirabIe Shape for the Big Meet That
Will be Held Here This Month-1hs
Crack Scorchers Both of the Profess
sionaI and Amateur Ranks Will be Here
From all Over the Country.
GrisNold park at the present time Is
a scene of unusual activity. For several
days surveyors and their assistants
have been using their instruments TO es-
tablish an accurate grade on the track,
and a large force OF men with scrapers.
wagons and shovels are following them
up in making the track correspond TO
the surveyors measurements. All the
loose, sandy spots in the track have been
dug out and the holes filed with hard
clay. When the entire track has been
treated in this way, the turns will be
banked to a sufficient height so that the
fastest rider in the world would have
no difficulty in holding the curves As
soon as the resurfacins and banking has
been completed the men will begin TO
work the heavy iron roller over the sur
face and by a liberal amount Of sprink-
ling in the absence OF rain the track will
soon be as level and firm as a floor. More
than that, il will be built on an estaD-
lished grade and will be as fine as any
track in the state.
To keep the track in this condition it
viii be necessary for all horses that are
shod and heavy vehicles with iron tires
TO keep off the track till il is finally fix
ed Unless this is done II will be cut UP
as fast as il is fixed. A wire fence has
been strung around the east end Of the
track and signs posted warning people
from driving on IL, and il is hoped that
the people will look at this matter in the
right light and not spoil fine track for
the sake of a few minutes drive around
st. There are many other attractive
places about town 10 drive, and after
the races it will again be open 10 the
public Picnickers are requested 20 lie
their teams in the east end Of the park.
An opening is left for bicyclists to ride
in and inspect the work, and local rid
ers who wish to train are welcome TO
do SO.
All this work is being paid for by the
S. X r. Cycling club in preparation for
the meet of the Kansas state circuit,
which will be held her on Friday and
Saturday, August 20 and 81
While the track is being put in shape
another force Of men will be put on by
the contractor 10 erect grand stand
capable of seating 1000 people. This stand
will be on the south side OF The park and
on the outside Of the track. BY this |
means the spectators will be enabled to |
watch the race from beginning TO end, |
which would not be possible If the stand |
ovas erected where il formerly stood |
Just inside the track and directly oppo- !
site the grand stand will be the judges |
stand, press stand and riders quarters, |
and 10 the side Of these will be the quar-
ter stretch.
The park will be given a thorough |
Uverhauling and put in neat attractive
shape Ample facilities will be provided
for the caring of wheels Of those who
ride them to the park. A five minute
service Of carriages and wagons 10 and
from the park and Main and Douglas
VIII be ready to carry out those without
other means OF conveyance. In fact.
every detail for a successful meet is
being attended TO by the committees ap-
pointed by the club.
Ii, 4 i. Ct
b, through a liberal outlay OF money,
bat the good feature Of il is that for ev-
cry dollar spent at least five viii be
brought in return to circulate among the
m erchants Of this city
The coIJrs of the League OF American
is royal purple. and that in
conjunction with white has been adopted
by the S. X. r. Cycling club as the Off
cial colors OF the meet. II is desired that
as many as possible decorate their places
OF business with these colors as il will
attrac; the eye of all League members
and also be an assurance that the mer-
caant IS in sympathy with the league
To those who have a doubt as TO the
success of the meet Il will be removed
when il is known that the first day the
circuit opened at Ottawa there Were
thirty-SiX professionals entered in the
races and an equal number OF amateurs.
These are not local riders but they come
from all parts OF the country. Constant
additions TO this number will be made
ss tie circuit progresses and by the time
The Wichita oates are reached it Will be
Al is height.
Al: lhc railroads entering here have
made special rates, granting one and
one-tlird fare good for four days. This
'act viii undoubtedly assure a large
erowd present from the surrounding
towns.
With this meet the boys have deter
mined 10 make a grand success 50 far as
he racing is concerned. No better tal-
mt ever appeared before a Wichita
,rowd than will be on the program for
hese races, and every one viii be up TO
he highest standard. Outside of the
aces the members are planning 20 trea;
he circuit-chasers TO "A Hot Time IN a
Hot Town in a Hot State"
MACHINERY HAS ARRIVED /