The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-15
RACES ON MEMORIAL DAY
THE ROAD EVENT WILL BE FIN
IsHED AT DRIVING CLUB PARK.
Large Number of Entries Expected
other Events-PreparatiOn for
the LA. w. Meet

Frank Erdelmeyer, chairman of the COM
mittee appointed by the Indianapolis L. A.
W. Club, has branched out little beyond
anticipations in his effort to promote the
Memorial day road race. The road race
will be run off, and in addition there will
be a series of track races at the Business
Mems Driving Park at Central avenue and
old Twenty-second street.
A departure will be inaugurated which will
prove an attractive feature of the road race
and which will make a morning of inter-
esting sport for lovers of the wheel. The
road race will start and finish on the track.
This was an idea of some of the leading
spirits in the L. A w. Club who remember
the tiresome wait the thousands, who have
witnessed the road races in the past, have
had to endure. The former road races have
started and finished at Meridian and old
Fourteenth streets, and as it takes in the
neighborhood of an hour for the riders to
cover the thirteen and three-eighths mile
course, the wait is something tedious Then
the crowds are SO great that it is always
necessary for persons who want to get
good view of the race to go hour or two
before the time announced for the race to
start. And besides there is always more or
less delay in getting the riders away.
At the Business Mems Driving Park
there is an amphitheater with a seating
capacity of four or five hundred. 1t is the
intention to reserve these seats and enable
those who care to pay a small fee, in adj
dition to a small entrance fee at the gate,
to see the start and finish of the big race
with a degree of comfort.
Chairman Erdelmeyer has been working
hard to bring the race up to the standard
which has been established for the Indiana
Memorial day road races. He has been
successful beyond expectation in the matter
Of securing prizes. The time was short,
but the local bicycle dealers came to his
support willingly, and within a short space
of time after it was announced that the
race was to come off he had a respectable
prize list. including two high-grade wheels
and numerous tires, saddles, watches, cy
cling suits and bicycle sundries. The prize
list is as complete as it was last year.
Entry blanks have been sent to all the
prominent road riders of the State and
number Of replies have been received ex-
pressing the Intention of entering. Entries
are not expected until within about ten
days of the day of the race The indica-
lions are that there will be upward of
hundred, starters. Last year there were
the start. Mr.. Erdelmeyer says he does not
count on such a phenomenal entry list as
this but would not be surprised to see it
equaled or excelled, so great is the interest
being taken in the event by outside riders.
In addition to the road race, programme
Of track races has been arranged for anna
tours. There will be half-mile, mile, two
mile and five-mfIe events. A part of the
programme will be carried out while the
road riders are making the circuit of the
Broad Ripple course. The programme has
not yet been definitely settled upon, but it
is probable that five-nile race will be run
off while the spectators are waiting the re-
turn Of the road riders. There will be
some novelties introduced, probably an
Australian pursuit race.
A leading feature of the programme will
be the club race between representatives
of the l.. A. w. Club and the Ridiculous
Club. This will be a team race for the
Brunswick Tire Company's trophy. The
trophy is large silver cup of handsome
design. It was presented last year to the
Hay & Willis Manufacturing Company to
be disposed Of as the local company saw fit
There was not a suitable occasion for it's
disposition last year. and it has been held
over This race may be made a team
pursuit race. In any event it will be a
team race, in which probably three men
from each club will participate. The Ride
ulous Club has some of the strongest riders
in the city, among them being several vet
Grams of the L. A. w. The L. A. w. Club
however, has larger membership to select
Its team from, and can probably put out
team that will give the Ridiculous team a
fight that it will have occasion to remen-
Der, whatever the result of the race may