Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-03-25
AUTOMOBILE RACING.
A VERY EXCITING PAsTIME THAT
PROMrsEs TO BECOME
POPULAR.
A FAvoRITE SPORT IN EUROPE.
Where Number of Notable Races
Have Already Taken Place-An Ex-
pert Tells How the Contests Are
Carried ON Across the Pond-GoOd
Roads Are Necessary,

As an Englishman interested in the
automobile sport and industry from its
inception and commencement in Eng
land, having also had the opportunity
to watch its growth on the European
continent, the marvel to me on this
my first visit to America Is that the
American nation has not, with its usual
foresight and perception, appreciated
ere this what vast opportunities this
coming craze has, both from a sport
ing and from an industrial point of
view. The average American road may
have more to do with 1t than is at
first apparent, but still to follow the
lead of Europe on matters pertaining
to mechanical traction is surely not
American. That the movement is
making rapid strides here is apparent,
but the general mass of the people
have not yet been enthused in the same
manner as on the continent-an in a
somewhat lesser degree in England
and this brings me to the subject mat
ter of this article: Automobile racing,
and it's Importance in relation to the
new industry.
In 1895 the automobile industry in
France was just emerging from that
stage when the necessary fundamental
experimental work in connection with
the proper construction and working of
a motor carriage had been completed.
A few of the leading manufacturers
having turned out carriages OF fair
ly satisfactory character, great auto
mobile race was arranged from Yer
sailles to Bordeaux, back to Versailles
and on to Paris, the distance covered
being about 730 miles. This was a
very severe test, but the whole scheme
met with general approval, and the
race was carried out.
The road is a particularly billy one,
but M. Levassor succeeded in accom-
plishing the journey in a four horse
power gasoline carriage of his own
construction in just 48 hours. This
first excellent test and the number of
carriages successfully accomplishing 1T
demonstrated to the French people the
great possibilities in the new form OF
mechanically propelled road vehicles,
and engineers and manufacturers went
ahead as fast as possible to meet the
great demand which Immediately
sprang up for motor carriages.
The following year another great
race was organized from Paris to Mar
settles and back, about LOO miles.
The winner again was M. Levassor,
with an eight horsepower gasoline
carriage, which succeeded in accom-
plishing the journey in 671a hours.
This race was run in an appalling gale.
and the drivers had to get down from
their carriages and remove fallen
trees from the road to enable them to
proceed on their way. A regrettable
accident happened to M. Levassor whlle
driving his carriage in this race, as,
in trying to avoid running over dog,
he swerved, upset the carriage, was
thrown out and killed. (By the way,
have brought over with me to America
this identical carriage fitted with more
powerful motor, and it is running
magnificently, although constructed
nearly four years ago. have been
giving these events, as they may prove
interesting in showing what led up to
the great enthusiasm now shown IN
France in connection with automobile
racing.
The excitement engendered in con-
nection with this last race knew no
bounds. Other races were organized,
and the new sport was un fait accom-
phi. To the manufacturers these races
were invaluable, as they were enabled
to test their carriages in a manner
otherwise impossible, and weaknesses
were discovered and remedied immedi-
ately in consequence. These races
were and are countenanced by the
authorities and everything is done to
aid them, even to the extent of post
ing troops at various parts of the road
to prevent accidents or distractions to
the competitors.
In England in 1896 the necessary act
was passed in parliament to permit
the running of automobiles on the
road, which a previous law prohibited.
The new act only allowed speed to
be attained of twelve miles an hour,
and as this law is still in force road
racing is an impossibility in England;
and the only contests possible there
have to be confined to the track
The first automobile race in England