The San Francisco call., 1906-10-05
MOTORISTS CENTER
ATTENTION ON
BIG RACE.
BY r. r. I'Honr1edieu.

The greatest automobile race of the
year will take place tomorrow for the
Vanderbilt Cup over the Long Island
course. There seems TO be a feeling
that there is chance of one of the
American cars winning the cup. This
is a fond hope which every American
has at the present time, but the odds
are against the American cars before
the race starts.
The reason for this is that the Amer
lean cars come to the line in a most
hurried condition from the shops. They
have not been worked out enough and
are in no condition to take up the hard
task Something generally gives way
and cars that are making a showing
go down and out. Those which hold
out do not keep up to the pace
1t will also be the case until there
are more of these speed contests in
this country.
In Europe they have enough of these
events to gain experience so that they
commence building long before the big
race takes place in this country. In
fact most of the builders of racing
machines on the other side have made
plans for the cars for next year.
The Americans will have to wait un-
til after next Saturday before they can
even think of building another car
The foreign cars have nearly years
workout before they come to this
side and all the weak points in con-
struction are remedied But there is
always the chance that one of our own
cars may slip in and win. The odds,
however, are something of a Is to 5
bet. Like yacht racing, there will
come a time when the cars will come
closer together in construction, and
then it will be an even bet which will
win. Still there is the American luck
to contend with. This may be the
time that it will come to life.
In the pioneer days, when cars were
smaller and men were generally their
own chauffeurs, it was considered
sportsmanlike to be strenuous and to
ride in the winter in an open car. The
enthusiasts of few years ago would
have scorned an inclosed body as
something effeminate. Now it is
vastly different, and the limousine
body is coming more and more into
vogue for winter use and they no long
er have to be imported. The makers
of the lower grade cars do not make
them, but practically all the best made
American cars have limousine models
The Middleton Motor Car Company
has Just received news of recent vic
tory at Minneapolis. The Autocar run
about in a one gallon gasoline efficiency
contest over ordinary country roads
covered thirty three and six tenths
miles on one gallon of gasoline.
An experienced and careful driver
will use the clutch as gently and as
little as possible, to give his passen-
gers as few jolts as possible. Some
motorists come home after days run
tired out completely owing to the con-
tinual clutching and declutching in
dulged in by the driver.
Charles Sutro, who recently Joined
the ranks of motor car enthusiasts,
has ordered large Columbia touring
car, which is due here very soon.
In the number of breakdowns that
occurred during the elimination trial
of the Vanderbilt race is found consid-
cradle justification for the criticism of
some conservative makers that the rate
of speed has reached point where the
weight limit of 2204 pounds is too low,
and racing cars are built too light to
stand the racking incidental to ninety
five miles an hour.
DR.. O'Brien of Peta1uma has pur-
chased an Autocar runabout and will
run the car home this. week.
Three Autocar runabouts have just
been shipped to the Won Hamm- Y oung
Company of Honolulu, who report in
terest in motoring on the islands as
increasing at a rapid pace. They ex-
pect a big business next year.