The sun., 1903-10-04
AMATEUR AUTOISTS TRIUMPH
BIGGEST CLUB RUN EVER HELD
AND WHAT 1T TEACHES.
How the lnprofesstonal Chaureurs Man.
aged to Travel 100 Miles Day for n
Week and Dine Together Every Night
Farm Horse Power on the Hill.


An event in automobilng over which
little fuss has been made is the seven days
tour of the Automobile Club Of America
that was completed last Friday. Yet,
when all s considered. it is one of the most
interesting and instructive affairs that
have occurred. For several reasons this
run, or tour, was for the general public the
most impressive and satisfactory demon
stration OF the efficiency and reliability
Of automobiles that has yet been made in
this country.
In the first endurance contest in 1901
from New York to Buffalo, the conditions
permitted of unlimited repairs. which made
the test farcical, and yet a comparatively
small number OF cars got through in sound
condition. Last year, in the run to Boston.
over an average of good roads, the rules
permitted seventeen to qualify with per-
feet scores, and the contest is now con-
sidered to have been trivial. A greater
contest is at hand, one that promises to be
as much too severe as that of last year WAS
too easy: this will begin on next Wednesday.
In the meantime this pleasure run of the
Automobile Club has been a longer run
than any of the contests. 1t has been
over harder course than that Of last year
and it has been a run Of cars handled by
amateurs, while in all previous contests there
was large percentage of experts employed
by manufacturers to run their cars.
It is just because of this tour having
been one for pleasure solely that it's lesson
is a valuable one. The important fact de-
monstrated by it was that it is possible for
a company Of amateur operators to start
of on a tour in lot Of automobiles Of
assorted makes and keep together day by
day to the place of destination. The club
run had no schedule OF running time. A
certain distance was allotted for the run
Of each day and rendezvous appointed.
The distance for the different days varied;
so did the character Of the roads. and the
horse power of the cars; yet every night
the tourists dined together at some place
a hundred miles or more, from where they
had met the night before.
In all, the trip was of seven days duration,
but Sunday was spent in Boston and 80
the actual travelling was done in six days.
The distance covered was $40 miles, so
the average was just ninety miles per day.
This does not give an adequate glimpse of
what was done. however, for one day was
set aside with short distance to be covered
and short tours Of exploration about the
lunching place were arranged, while the
last day Of the run was also one with a
short distance. In consequence, there were
several days when the run between points
exceeded 100 miles. The programme in
detail to which the participants adhered
was as follows;
Sept. 25, New York to Hartford. l2l miles.
"a. Hartford to Boston. ia miles. II, in Boston
2s. Boston to Sprin gheld, 81 miles 20. Spring
field to Pittsfeld. via Huntington. West
Beckett a nd Lee, IS miles. Tuesday afternoon
Pourhkeepsie and ferry at Fishkitl Landing.
SO miles. Oct. /, Newburgh 10 New YORK. 81,
miles
There was nothing obligatory about the
affair. 1t cost nothing to enter and nothing
TO leaye. Members were invited to join
for part of the run at any time they chose
| In consequence, twenty-one started and
nine dropped out before the finish. SO
| far as known, there was no one. however,
| who quit because of accident or inability
| to proceed. Some could not spare the
necessary time from business and started
| out to 20 only part Of the way. 1t is be-
lieved that all those who started intending
| TO 90 the full distance did SO.
Among the twelve who made the full
tour, Ave had imported cars and seven
manipulated machines of American make,
each OF the seven domestic cars represent
| ing a different maker, all of them having
pasolene engines, excepting one. with
st cam power. The engines ranged from
eight to forty horsepower At night times
there was little waiting for the complete
company to form Nearly all were on hand
early, and II was seldom that the dinner
was eaten will any one missing
All those who participated In the trip
were distinctly delighted with it's results.
They gloried in the fact that An instructive
demonst ration OF automobile reliability
had beep made by amateur clubmen un-
aided by tradesmen. There seemed to be a
feeling OF thankfuness that the trade ele.
men, In the club, so naturally acquired
and essential during the early stages, has
taken the actual contest Of endurance into
its own hands. 1t Is thought that this run
may mark the beginning OF q new character,
and one more socially exclusive. in the road
events Of the cuban elimination Of the
trade rivalry and jealousy that has been
heretofore very noticeable in almost every
event.
II was feared by some that this run, the
longest ever attempted on schedule.
would prove to be too arduous for the en-
joyment Of the members. even il II did not
prove to be too great q task for the cars.
~ this fear was not realized. Every ono