Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-04
Rv Edward MoriartY

automobile fraternity yesterday after
noon and marred the sport to an eN-
tent which caused several of the beSS
events on the program to go by the
board, the track becoming too slippery
for safe speeding.
Despite the threatening weather the
stands were well filled as the time for
the first event arrived and stretched
along the inside of the rail bordering
on the track were lined any number of
auto parties prepared for an exciting
afternoon ,f racing.
Femininity was greatly in evidence,
reinforced by resonant horns which un-
doubtedly had much to do with some
of the results, for they blared in the
ears of the flying drivers as the latter
whizzed along the row of touring cars
and runabouts filled with eXpectant
onlookers.
REQ Wins Again
1t was small wonder that the REQ
won the first event, for a bevy of
maidens from their seats of vantage
in the big REQ bus, armed with noise
making instruments, lent all possible
aid to the Shelter car as 1t fought out
the prettiest race of the day, and one
that could hardly have been improved
upon from any point of view.
This initial event was perhaps the
best exhibition of auto racing that has
occurred since the opening of the Agrl-
cultural park tournament. During the
last four laps of the five-mile race the
REQ led the Ford a merry chase, and
until the Shelter machine flew across
the finish a scant length and half
ahead of the Ford it was a question of
which car would eventually win.
Two starters were required to get the
cars away, as Honshue in the REQ
fouled Campbell, who was driving the
Ford Immediately after the start. The
REQ crossed in front of the Ford. caus-
ing Campbell to draw up in order to
avoid an accident. The judges imme-
diately ordered the cars to be tagged
at the end of the first mile for a new
start.
Honshue did not notice the signal and
sped on to the half mile before he
realized the recall.
At the second start the Ford took
the rail- the Napier center position and
the REQ on the outside. They got away
evenly and the Ford Immediately went
to the front, the REQ in second position
and the Napier third.
When the cars came down the stretch
for the first mile the Ford led. with the
REQ tackled on behind lying two
lengths to the rear as the wire was
crossed. The Napier was over thirty
lengths behind.
They whirled around to the stretch
with the REQ edging up, and as the
cars swung into the open the REQ ap-
peared to be running even. 1t was a
bare lead, however, that the Shelter
machine possessed at the wire. This
advantage was gradually increased,
though apparently almost impercept-
ible when seen along the back stretch.
At the end Of the third mile both cars
thundered down the track, the REQ
crossing first. this time with a lead of
two lengths. The Napier was hopeless
ly out Of it and ran an eighth of mile
behind.
Around the first curve they sped for
the fourth mile and at the half the
REQ had a lead of five lengths. The
Ford began creeping up again, and be-
fore the lap was completed had COW
cred up three of the lengths.
Out of the last mile it was nip and
tuck after passing the quarter, with
the REQ always a slight PAGER. Com
ing into the stretch it was an even
start for the wire, and the crowd was
on its feet awaiting the final spurt
The Ford swayed like a leaf and tore
over the track in manner which
gladdened its supporters. Not until
they flew by the wire was the result
apparent, and then it was seen that
the REQ led by a length and a half.
Both cars made the fast time of
1903 4-5 the REQ covering the second
mile in that time, and the Ford doing
the first mile in the same time.
As the track was slippery the motor
cycles ran in order to allow the big
cars faster track in case of the down
pour ceasing.
Ernest Bennett with Reading Stan
dard finished first, having run a close
race with p. w. Dinsmore on another
Standard. r. w. Hoag was third.
Australian Pursuit Spectacular
Spectacular i'm the extreme was the
Australian pursuit race which ended
with the Ford car overtaking the
Napier directly in front of the stand,
after run of nine miles for the win
Napier
The Ford started at the post as the
Napier left the half-mile station. The
Ford Immediately commenced to gain.
and at the end of the fourth mile was
in the stretch as the Napier whzzed
by the stand. AS they came in for the
sixth mile the Ford was but five
lengths behind and it appeared as
though the race would be over before
the half mile was reached. In the back
stretch but three lengths separated
them, but the Napier kept ahead and
was length to the good at the stand.
Again drawing away the Napier nut
two lengths between herself and the
pursuer and held the lead to the head
of the stretch
With 4 last desperate effort the
Napier endeavored to get away, but
Campbell would not be denied and
passed Lawwell exactly at the end
of the ninth mile.
The plucky run of the Napier dis
placed all calculation regarding the
mile in which the capture would occur.
and those who attempted to predict
the outcome, judging from the great
gain which the Ford made at the be-
ginning of the race, had their proph-
ecies shattered.
The third race also resulted in even
a more sensational outcome, for the
Ford again won the lead which il
gained at the start of the three miles
and jumped into the wire by a scant
wheel.
The Napier, Ford and REQ entered the
contest, but the Napier failed to show
speed and at the finish was half a mile
TO the rear.
Throughout the race the Ford led