The San Francisco call., 1906-10-06
Price to Figure in Auto Handicaps
NOVELTY WILL BE
INTRODUCED AT
SANTA ROSA.
By r. r. I'FIor11n1edieu.

There is a new stunt for the local
automobilists. There have been en-
duraHee contests, reliability runs and
many other novelties, but the latest
is handicap race There have been
many handicap races in the past. but
the one proposed by the trotting asso-
citation at Santa Rosa is the most in
teresting of them all.
Heretofore handicaps have been fig
ured out on horsepower, but the COM
ing event, which will take place on
October 26 or 81, will be figured out
on the catalogue price of the machines.
1t has been claimed that this propo-
sition has been tried in the East and
has proved very satisfactory.
The scheme is to allow one yard
for every dollar difference there is
in price. This would mean that
$4,000 car will have to give a $4,000
car a handicap of 1000 yards in the
ten-mile race, which would mean
handicap of about one mile in ten.
In figuring from past races of stock
cars, which are only eligible, il is
seen that this should make a very
interesting contest. 1t undoubtedly
will do one thing. 1t will give the
owner OF a cheaper car chance to
have a little sport 1t will not be
everything to the man that has the
money to buy the highest-priced
car in the market, which means the
greatest power. 1t is hard to tell just
how the scheme will work out as a
handicap proposition. 1t looks good
on the face and is undoubtedly worth
trying. From the talk of those who
have received invitation to take part
in the race it looks as If a large num-
Der of entries will be received. The
event is an open one and any owner
an automobile is welcome to take part
in the race.
The trotting assocfa ton offered a
$50 money prize. but as there was some
opposition to this plan the association
has offered instead a $50 cup.
GOOD SPORT PROMISED.
c. y. Weaver of Studebaker Bros. in
speaking of the event, said yesterday.
We have been requested to enter a
car in the race at Santa Rosa, but
we are unable to put in an entry under
our own name, as we have sold every
thing that we own, even our demon
strating car. But l think that l will
be able to get some of those who have
purchased our cars to go up to the
City of Roses. 1 know of the scheme
of handicapping. 1t has been tried in
the East. and the reports have been
most favorable-so much so that 1
think that We will have an even break
with the other manufacturers and l
am going to try to get one of our
cars in the race. Even if 1 thought
that we were getting a little the
worst of it l would be glad to have
entry, for the more enthusiasm
that can be brought TO the surface the
better for the game We are going
into the camp of the enemy in this
contest. We are going to hold race
at the end of a trotting meeting. They
have had sport and we will be able
TO show the owners of : horses that
even the automobile can produce some
little excitement. So think that there
should be a good showing made by
all the dealers of the city"
SAN JOSE AUTOISTS ACTIVE.
While Santa Rosa is talking racing
the Automobile Club of San Jose is
getting in its deadly work The Of
ficers of the club propose to hold a
race meet and set of gymkhana
games a week from today on the track
at the Garden City. There is a slight
hitch in the programme, as the club has
not secured the track, but it is thought
that this matter will be settled by
Monday and that invitations will be
issued to all automobilists of the State
to take part. Besides a full racing
programme the club proposes to give
series of games. This will mean prac-
tically full days sport.
This. with the races at Santa Rosa
and the run of the Automobile Club
of California later In the month there,
will be a fine finish to belated sea-
son.
The bus business of the city is look
ing up. The ]. W. Leavitt Company
delivered yesterday three buses for a
new passenger service on Van Ness
avenue. This is test proposition of
what they will do in the city. A
strict account is being made of the
business TO see If it is q paying propo-
sition.
B. Coffin has added another REQ to
his automobile stable. This makes the
third REQ that he has purchased
Washington Dodge. the Assessor, has
just purchased two Reos. He will use
one in his city business and the other
at his ranch
G. S. Jameson, the Western repre-
sentative Of the Franklin car, with
headquarters at Syracuse N Y. ar
rived in the city Thursday evening.
This is his first visit since the fire. He
is looking over the field. and will be
the guest of G. A. Boyer. the president
of the Boyer Motor Car Company, while
In the city.
Everything today centers on the
Vanderbilt cup race. Before the orcli-
nary reader of The Call has read his
paper at the breakfast table the race
Will almost be over. 1t is the hope of
all that the Stars and Stripes will float
at the masthead of the winning post.