Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-24


enable them to proceed on their way. A
regrettable accident happened 70 NJ.
Leyassor while driving his carriage in
this race as, in trying TO avoid running
over a dog, he sweryed, upset the car.
rage. was thrown out and killed, (By
the way, have brought over with me
to America this identical carriage fit-
ted With a more powerful motor, and II
is running magnihcently although con-
strueted 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 automo-
bile racing.
The excitement engendered In con-
nectlon with this last race knew no
bounds. other races were organized. and
the new sport was un fait accompli To
the manufacturers these races we're in
valuable, as they were enabled TO test
their carriages In manner otherwise
impossible, and weaknesses were dis
covered and reme1led Immediately in
consequence. These races were and are
countenanced by the authorities and
everything is done to aid them, even to
the extent OF posting troops at various
parts OF the road to prevent accidents
or distractions to the competitors.
In England In 1886 the necessary act
was passed by parliament TO permit
the running OF automobiles on the road,
which a previous law prohibited. The
new act only allowed speed 10 be at
tanned Of - 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 con-
fined TO the track.
The first automobile race In England
took place in connection with the sec
ond annual run Of the Motor Car club
to Sheen House, where there is pri-
yate cement track. and was won by
myself Besides winning this race, |
established a motor cycle record for one
mile, doing the distance In minutes
and seconds.
The second race took place In No
vember. 1883, and in this finished sec.
ond to Mr.. $. F. Edge. who had brought
over a new French racing machine for
the occasion.
In 1898 the great French raoe-Parls
TO Amsterdam and back-was won by
NJ. Charyon. OF course. a number OF
smaller races were run In various parts
OF France during the season with great
success.
At the beginning OF last year the Mo-
tor Car club Of England set itself to deal
with the question Of motor racing and
promoted during the year a large num-
Der Of races in London and various pro-
vlncial towns Of England with mar
velous amount OF success. These races
were practically confined TO motor tri-
cycles, and the sport was Of sufficiently
exciting character 10 appeal 10 the
public taste In a marked manner. Some
most exciting races took place; for in
stance one in the earlier part OF the
year, when Mr.. c. G. Wridgway rode a
match against Rigal Of France at the
Crystal Palace, London, and beat him.
Another exciting race was between MIR.
| WrdgWay ana myself. Nhen defeated
him in one Of the most exciting races
on record by a machines length In five
miles In the then record time Of min
utes and % seconds.
The race between Mr.. S. f. Edge and
myself for the championship was also
Of a very exciting character. and the
enormous crowd Of people present was
worked up TO very high pitch Of en-
thuslasm. This race ] also won, but
only with a few inches to spare. In the
new record time Of minutes and II
seconds The races held at Liverpool,
when Mr.. 5. F. Edge and myself went
down to meet a team OF French racing
cracks and met with signal success,
were also very exciting.
! am quite sure that the public in