The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-05
GOSSIP OF THE RACERS
MOST OF THEM IN TOWN TRY THEIR
SPEED AT THE OVAL.
Lintcn-TayIore Thirty-MiIe Race De-
cIared Off-EscOrt Committee
The Races Tonight.

Yesterday was quiet day with the racers.
Most of them went out to Newly Oval dur
ing the day and tried their speed but no
records were attempted Bald in his work
is showing improved form, and has evident
~ settled down to the idea that, if he wishes
to win the championship. he will have to
keep the edge on his form to the end of the
season.
The two Buffers, Nat and Tom, will be
here in time for the big meet The entries
Of both men were received yesterday by
Chairman Foltz for all the professional
events. Both of the men have joined the
Benedict colony in Philadelphia, which
includes Johnny Johnson, Mertens, Eaton
and others of the fast men of few years
ago. From private letters received by
friends in this city 1t is learned that Mike
Dirnberger, the wonder of SO and "a, will
be here to enter the amateur events Dirn-
berger sprang into national fame a rider
during the first year he ever mounted a
wheel Up to the spring of 1898 he was never
on bicycle. He was, however, an athlete
and always in condition, and as a result,
when he in few days learned to handle a
wheel he was in shape to go on the track
at once. During 1895 he developed bad leg
and steadily lost ground until, in the Ian
couldn't ride fast enough to keep warm y
since that time he has been in systematic
training on the roads, and now has regained
his old form. Although racing in class A
during his last season. he has never lost his
amateur standing, and will enter in these
events.
George Meyerstein, of Omaha, yesterday
forwarded his entry for the professional
races. Frank Robbins, an amateur, Of Mid
uletoWn u, mas also sent in his entry to the
ehtlre meet is to be dispensed with. The
tnlrty-mlle race between Linton and Tay-
r roae VIII not be run, because the manage
come to terms. A. C. Newly yesterday an
nounced that the best the track had been
ape ape to offer was $3.50 for the race, which
the team refused to accept. The answer
coming as late as it does renders it impossi-
pie 10 complete arrangements with Shafer S
team, which has now little open time, but
instead OF the thirty-mile race there will be
nIteen-mile contest between riders not
yet CHOSEN. There are any number of null
tiple. pacing machines and teams at the
track, and interest will probably be as
strong in the new race as it would have
been in the thirty-miIe event.
"A. Z. Newly said yesterday the meet off,
Gals were not ready. yet to name the men
VINO would compete in the fifteen-mile race
scheduled to take the, place of the aban-
doned thirty-mile event.
1t is learned on reliable authority that
YESTERDAY an offer Of $1,000 was. telegraphed
to 'Plunger Bill Martin and Church, the
fast Philadelphia middle distance rider, to
come here with their pacing machines and
teams. 1t is probable that they will be
matched against John s, johnson for the
The great team race scheduled as team
pursuit race of interna tional character has
been changed, owing ITO the returning home
or all the foreigners who were in this coun-
try. The West will meet the East instead
as the closing race OF the meet There will
be five men on each team. the East being
represented by Bald, Ned Butler, Titus,
Church and Starbuck; the West by Gardi-
ner, Cooper. Mcfarland Major Taylor and
Hamilton. The teams work as body, and
the contest continues until every man of one
team or the other has been caught.