New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-20
FACE DEATH In AUTO.
APPEPSON CAR WRECKED.
Dnuer and Mechanic Escape Serious
Injmy-Practice for Race.
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribune-l


Mlneola. Long Island. Sept 19.-The worst ac-
c,dent since practice began on the Vanderbilt
Gun course a week ago to-day happened THIS
morning when the 9O-hOrsepower Apperson
racer driven by George II. Robertson. going at
tremendous speed. just beyond the halrpin turn
at Old westbury. crashed into a telegraph pole
and was fairly wrapped around II. a crumpieo
mass OF steel. Robertson and Al Warren. MS
meohanician. were badly but not fatally injured
Both men were hurled from the car and rem
cered unconscious. and the mystery Is that theS
escaped instant death. They were taken 20 tno
Nassau Hospital in touring automobiles. where.
en- a careful examination, It was found that
Robinson was suffering from broken collar
bone and a bruised hip. while Warren had both
wrists broken and a severe cash over his right
eye II will be some time before Robinson VIII
be able 10 leave the hospital
Tho only explanation he could give for tho
accident was the puncturing Of a tire. which
caused tho car 10 skid. An examination or the
car after the accident by Elmer and Edgar Ap-
person showed that the steering gear was all
right. The left rear tire was fat
In leaving the road the racer shot TO the lefc.
first striking tree. leaving deep dent. ana
then dashed broadside on against the pole with
such force that the car wrapped itself about IL.
the front and rear wheels touching.
II was on his second round that Robinson met
with the n1ishap. On the first lap ne carried
newspaper man in his mechanielan seat anu
covered the % II miles in 301a minutes. the fast
est time made this morning. After the accldent
Robinson picked up IN the field on the sloe
Of the road several feet away from ths spol
where the racer hit the tree. Warren was found
the outside OF the fence
ITS all IN the game" was Robinson's remark:
when he regained his senses and had been told
that Warren not seriously injured, which
was his first
Both men are popular in automobile circles
Robinson lives in this city. and is in the auto
mobile business with his father. In West SSth
street. Robinson and Warren both rode with
Walter Christie In the iatter's front drive cred-
ton last year in the elimination trials and race
for the cup.
Edgar Apperson said tonight that he could not
say definitely whether the Chicago Automoone
Club would have in the elimination trials
not The Apperson racer IS beyond repair.
but II IS possible that one OF the touring cars
may be stripped and started on Saturday.
Eleven of the cars entered in the elimination
trials were on the course to-day. but the drivers
were cautious and there was little fast work.
The weather and road conditions We're the best
since the American candidates have been al
lowd 10 practise the course.
The three Thomas cars made two laps Of
the course. Roberts went round the circuit
IN 401s minutes and 36 minutes respectively.
lie BlOn made round in AZ minutes and
another in 80 minutes. while CsllOis drove his
car over in IL minutes and 81 minutes 30 sec
onds.
The Frayer-Mil racers were conspicuous. as
all three were on the course. Lowell made one
lap In SS minutes. AFTER the nrSl round BelOSn
got a puncrured tire in making the turn at
Krug's corner.
Lyle. in the Pope-Toledo car went over the
course twice. On his second round he ran into
a ditch the Manhasset hin 70 avoid running
into a woman IN buggy. Beyond bending the
wheel no harm done Joe Tracy had his
new emergency Loconobile the course.
Ernest Keller IN the Oldsnobile and John
Haynes in the Haynes racer took slow spins
over the course.
It was announced tonight that II. n. Hard
Ing will drive the 50-horsepOwer Haynes car in
the elimination trials. John Haynes has been
tuning up the car himself, but decided not 20
drive in the race Harding drove the English
Daimler racer in the Ormond Daytona Beach
races. in Florida, last year, and at the recent
Atlantic City Beach races drove a touring car
of the make. He Is a skilled driver. and
has had plenty OF experience.
Ralph Mongini. who will drive the Matheson
car in the elimination trials. drove the Matheson
touring car that made a record in the Atlantic
City Beach races a few weeks ago at a terrific
speed on the course this afternoon. The car
was stripped. and Mongini had several passen-
gers hanging In places Mongini drove at
the rate OF sixty miles hour.
The three Fiat racers and the two ITALIA cars
that will represent Italy IN the Vanderbilt cup
race were towed TO their quarters on the course
az