New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-15
THREE CARS DAMAGED.
Fog Makes Fast Drifting Dangerous
on IL = Automobile Course.
IBv Telegraph 10 The Tribune


Mineola. Long Island. Sept. IA thick fog
hung over the Vanderbilt Cup course this morn
ing, and it was o'clock before it cleared enough
70 allow the drivers 20 practise on the roads
with any kind Of safety. At the break OF dawn,
when the racers usually leave their quarters,
the mist was 50 heavy that IT with difficulty
one could see an object one hundred feet away.
Considering this. and the fact that many wag-
ons are on the course in the morning. the drivers
deemed It wise to take no chances.
Seven Of the cars were driven over the roads
as soon as the fog showed signs OF clearing, but
fast work was out OF the question Three mis-
hsps caused gloom in the Frayer-NIiller and
Chrystie quarters, but the damage done 10 the
cars can be repaired in time allow them TO
practise tomorrow. The three Frayer-AIiIler
cars We're among the first on the course. Lee
Miller completed a round in 431a minutes. but
on tho second lap the right rear wheel was
broken. LawweH met with q similar mis-
hap just as he was completing his first round.
In taking the turn at AIbertSon's the left rear
wheel struck large whitewashed rock the
left side OF the road, and gave way little later.
These unfortunate accidents led the managers
Of the Frayer-NIiller cars TO order wooden wheels
in place of the wire ones now on the ears. The
Frayer-Miler racer driven by Belden made
round of the course in 40 minutes.
Walter Chrystie had a narrow escape from
serious accident While running his car over the
course. III going up Manhasset HILL in East
WillistOn. the car skidded and struck tele-
graph pole. Chrystie and assistant were
thrown out. but escaped with few bruises. The
damage 70 the car can be repaired quickly. A
friend Of Chrystie said the accident was due 10
the fact that the course had been sprinkled with
oil only lately and was both wet and oily.
Herbert Lyle made one round Of the course III
his Pope-Toledo in thirty-seven minutes.
When making a second round a big market
wagon pulled across the road directly II front
OF him, and 10 avoid an accident he ran the car
into a ditch and narrowly escaped overturning.
The machine was not damaged, but II hardly
did il any good. and Colonel Pope gave orders
that Lyle should not use the car again until the
day of the unless the proper police patrol
OF the course maintained. Late tonight
Colonel Pope rescinded this order. after consult
ing With the committee and Lyle az the Garden
city Hotel. and said that Lytle could follow his
own Judgment about using the racer or a tour
ing for further practice He advised against
any fast driving. in order 10 avoid any accident
10 the car which might prevent it starting in the
elimination trials.
afraid 10 drive the Haynes racar around the
dangerous curves, and wanted a driver. He ap-
preached Bert Dingley. Of the POpe-TOledo team.
and asked him If he could suggest a good man
TO handle the car.
The Apperson car which George Robinson is
10 drive did not make trip over the course.
but received a tuning Up In front Of its quar-
ters at AlbertsOn's. New front wheels and an
ankle for the OldsmobiIe racer which was dam
garage tonight. and the machine VIII be or the
course by Sunday or Monday.
MesSTS- Breese. Lawrence and MOulton. who
are the builders OF the 3. L. II. car, watched the
practice this morning. They have been delayed
in the construction of their racer. but expect TO
have il on the course on Monday. Henri Dol
beau. who Is To drive the machine also watched
the practice. He carried the marks OF the acct
dent he met with yesterday while driving a
Mercedes car over the course
The first OF the Maxwell cars IS expected az
It's quarters. on the Jericho Turnpike near West
bury. tomorrow. ]. Fred Betz. jr, who was at
first named 20 drive the tweve-cylinder Max
we'll, has withdrawn because of family oppOsi-
ton. His place Will probably be taken by
''Wally' owen, OF Brooklyn.
The six Fiat cars that arrived in New York
Yesterday will be shipped 10 the course as soon
as the custom house officials will release them
Four Of the cars OF this years Grand Prix
model OF 12O-hOTsepower Lancia Dr. Well
schott and Nazzaro the drivers. will sail for this
country tomorrow.
Gustave CaillOis the well known French
driver, who Will drive OF the Thomas cars
IN the elimination trials. gave out a statement
yesterday, IN view OF the reports that many OF
his friends were 10 place bets on him being frst
IN the trials. He asks them not 70 do So as he
does not care 10 take any chances In the trials
and viii be satisfied TO qualify He said:
do not wish TO finish first I would prefer 10
come II fourth or fifth. II viii be better for the
car not 20 run at top speed. The course is n
difficult one. and one which Will strain any car
that Is driven recklessly. The time 10 throw
caution away is IN the cup race. / do not In the
least fear any damage 20 the car but il will be
time enough tC-what YOU call it-"cut loose
when Ihe cup is the issue.