The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-18
Thery Takes the HOnOrs from
JtnaIzy Of Germany
is GIVEN A GREAT OVATION
Makes Distance of 3s4 Miles Over
Difficult Course In a Little Less
Than Six Hours-Has a
Narrow Escape.

Saalburg June f7.-zFrance, represented
by Thery today won the annual motor
race for the James Gordon Bennett cup,
the great event of the motoring world.
from Jenatzy of Germany, the holder OF
the trophy. by II minutes and is seconds
after magnificent speed test OF sS4 miles
over a difficult and dangerous course.
Decaters of Germany was third. 45 min
utes and 10 seconds behind Jenatzy. The
weather conditions could not have been
improved upon.
Throughout the long day enthusiasm ran
to the highest pitch Fortunately the
race was not marred by any serious acci-
dent which owing to the difficult nature
of the course, had been gloomily pre-
dicted 1t was vast and brilliant cos
mopolitan assemblage which greeted the
winner of the trophy and apparently his
nationality. and the fact that the German
champion had been beaten on a German
course in no way 1essened the generosity
of the ovation accorded the Frenehman.
Emperor William himself who with the
empress was an Interested spectator, was
the first to extend congratulations to
France. The emperor Immediately sent
for Baron Dezuylen, president, and other
members of the French automobile club
who were presented to their majesties In
the royal box.
Cheers for Emperor.
Baron DeZuyen thanked the emperor
fer the cordial reception and for the meas
l,lres which had been taken for the sue
cess of the races Turning to the menu
hers of the committee, the baron proposed
(which We're given with will, taken up
by the multitude in the stands and re-
llpeated again and again.
/ The start was made punctnally at
o clock. flourish of trumpets signalling
the departure Jenatzv. the holder of the
James tioi don Bennett cup, on shootihE4
J past the royal stand, saluted the emperor
and empress.
! The other cars eighteen in all. were
| started at regular intervals Of seven min
utes. with the exception of the car driven
! by Baron DeCalois. which was delayed
| by a slight breakdown. The only Ameri-
can In the race was Merden who drove
an American car. The motors went off
at very fast pace the leaders doing
mile in a minute.
Jenatzy narrowly escaped a catastro-
| phe early in the race. At the bottom OF
a steep incline approaching Wehrheim Is
| a level crossing. Jenatzy was nearing the
bottom Of this incline. which is the fast
est bit Of the whole course. when the
frantic shouts of the spectators induced
him to slacken his speed few seconds
later Jenatzy came In sight of the cross
ing and saw thereon a locomotive right
bin the middle Of his course. But for the
fact that he had previously slackened his
speed. Jenatzy must have met with dis
aster. The incident however, only cost
him a minutes delay.
Half an hour later Opel. Swiss, broke
shaft while speeding through the main
street of Wehrheim Opel was not In
jured, but he was compelled to retire
S Hours SO Minutes.
The time was 5 hours, 80 minutes and
seconds and Jenatzys was hours.
minute and q second. Jenatzy arrived at
the winning post first. but his actual rum
ming time was II minutes and Is seconds
| longer than that of the Frenchman.
! When the fourth round commenced the
J result of the race was almost foregone
conclusion. though there was still
! chance for Jenatzy and this latter fact
| kept up the interest to the finish when
! the scene was a most animated one,
| the excitement reaching fever heat.
Jenatzy's car was the first to pass the
| post and he was given a tremendous re-
ception Then when Thery came In sight
and dashed down the stretch the French
| contingent went wild, and warmed by the
] close and brilliant finish, representatives
of each nationality Joined in the great
| ovation to the winner.