The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

neighboring States have taken a great in
terest in the coming races and have signi-
fed their willingness to drive in the auto
events. There will be a five-mile race for
machines of 1000 pounds or under. Another
event which promises to attract many we'll
known drivers is the hve-mile open for all
drivers of 2,0O0-pound machines. The five
mile race for owners will attract as much
interest, and will be much more exciting
and sensational, the famous races held
in the large cities for gentlemen drivers of
fast horses. Two other events are on the
Programme. One is a five-mile handicap for
motor cycles, lao class, and the other a
three-mile race for the same kind of ma
chimes in the 1:30 class.
ENORMOUS CROWD EXPECTED.
Great preparations are being made for
the races aid they will attract an enor-
nous crowd. The street-car company has
guaranteed adequate street-car facilities TO
the fair grounds for that day to haul the
crowd. as 1t is estimated that at least 1900
people will witness the races. Excursions
will be run to Indianapolis on all steam and
electric roads.
Automobile races of a very tame nature,
compared with the coming events, were CIV
en- at the fair grounds last summer and
great interest was taken in the exciting
races. The meet to be given on May 80, a
week from next Saturday, will be equal to
the sport seen in the National Circuit. In
dianapolis would have had National Circuit
races early this season, but the circuit was
so arranged that Eastern cities were bene-
fitted. Mr.. Fisher is confident that the
crowd that will see the races on Decora ton
day will warrant the Indianapolis promot-
ers to bring the National Circuit drivers
Mr.. Fisher said that Tom Cooper and
Earl kiser were induced to leave the big
| circuit to race in indianapolis on Decoration
day, he offered them a purse of 81 900 for
their five-mile match. This race alone will
be equal to any seen in the big circuit, and,
in addition, the other events will be more
thrilling than Indianapolis and Indiana
people nave ever seen
Few persons in Indianapolis have ever
witnessed real automobile race" said
Charles w. Sommers. one of the most en-
| thusiastic chauffeurs, yesterday, land they
cannot conceive how exciting. thrilling and
sensational they are until they see the dar-
ing drivers whirl around mile track at
nearly a mile-a-minute clip. Some time ago
1t was thought that bicycle races were ex-
citing. but they are not to be compared
with the sensational speed maintained by
big racing machines.
EXPRESS TRAIN SPEED.
ct witnessed several big races in other
cities last year and have seen twenty-five
and thirty thousand people fairly go wild
as the big machines whirled around the
track at a speed never maintained by the
fastest express trains.
was IN IOledo last season When Tom
Cooper and Barney Oldfeld drove their five
mile match and saw Oldfield break all rec
| ords from one to five miles. Part of the
time he went faster than a mile a minute
and as the big machines made the turns
dirt was thrown on the people who lined
| the fences around the track. After I saw
one good race last season / went to every
city where races were held, as I think it is
the most exciting sport of the century,
Two big racing machines that will cost
s., 900 each are now being built at the Mo-
hawk factory in this city. One will be used
by Earl Kiser, and will be known as the
Mohawk, and the other will be raced by
Carl Fisher and will be named the Indi-
ana. 1t is expected that they will be fast
enough to break all worlds records Eff
forts have been made TO finish the machines
| to be used in the Decoration day races. and
thirty machinists are working on the vari-
Gus parts 1t is hardly possible that they
| will be ready for record trials by that time
| but will be seen in indianapolis when the
| races are held next fall.