Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-09
DECLARES CONTEST {
WAS NOT A SUCCESS
Mr.. HeubIein Discusses the Re-
cent Automobile Tour for
the Herkomer Trophy.

HARTFORD. Conn. Sept. &C. +. Heub-
lein Of Hartford. one OF the two American
automobiles who competed In the Herko-
mer tour this year. Percy Pierce OF Buffalo
being the other, Is back in this country.
He spent three months abroad and did con-
siderable touring over the European roads,
He says that aside from the delightful
scenery and the general pleasure OF tour
ing, the contest for the Herkomer trophy
was not a success. There was large entry
list. 1873 cars actually starting the contest
and ninety finishing.
THE matter of our accommodation was
not left to any committee; each contestant
was supposed to provide for himself and
his passengers, the rules providing that
each car should carry four passengers"
said Mr.. Heublein. The prices were pos
sibly increased a small percentage along
the road. but not to any great extent Fhere
were twelve other cars in the contest like
my own, all the property of private own
ers. The only interest the makers took in
the matter was to send a man ahead to
arrange for our hotel accommodations
which were very well cared for. / received
one of the silver plaques, which / brought
home with me.
There was general dissatisfaction with
the formula that governed the awarding of
the prizes. 1t was mathematically wrong
and in many cases was absolutely imprac-
ticable. Each morning We were allowed
ferty-1ve minutes TO fill our tanks with
gasoline and oil and make such arrange
ment of our baggage as desired but no
time was given us or permission granted
to make any adjustments of the machinery
OF our cars. number of protests were
nied each day as a result of the rules gov
erning the contest, and several protests
were entered against German and italian
cars because they were of racing and not
touring type. Miniature tonneaus which
were ridiculously inadequate, had been
placed on these cars.
The Semmering pass, just before Vienna
is reached, was made on a time record
three minutes elapsing between the start
ing or cars. This was one OF the first
difficulties we had to contend with and
the committee. when a number of cars had
started, Increased the time between the
cars to five minutes, as 1t was apparent
that an error had been made in the time
allowance. The observer i'm each car car
ried complete map of the entire route
which specified bitches, ridges, grades and
hflls turns and corners. This detail was
one of the most perfect I have ever seen.
and l brought one OF the maps back with
me as souvenir. Blue flags along the route
marked dangerous spots. and red flags were
a caution to slacken speed. At each corner
or turn a policeman or soldier was stationed
to direct us which road to take.
The famous painter. Herkomer who do
mated the trophy. was one of the most dis
satisfied ones Of the entire party and said
that another year he will take a more active
part in the management of the contest
and dictate the conditions under which the
tour Is to be conducted In discussing the
matter with me personally he told me that
another year will result In much better
conditions than those existing this year.