The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-12-15

Ford Attacked
BY Flames and
Nearly Swamped
Machine Came Through
Dangers With Colors
Flying.

The car which attracted the most at
tenuon and furnished the biggest sur
prise of the whole run was the little
four-cylinder Ford runabOut, a 1905
model driven by Gardner Orme.
Beside immense touring machines and
handsomely fitted out runabouts. the
diminutive machine was all the more
conspicuous. and 1t was considered little
short Of foolhardy to undertake such n
run as was on the cards last Tuesday
in such a frail craft.
But on the road the miniature auto
passed its 40 and 90 horsepower COM
petitors, ran around many which had
pulled out ahead OF it. and saw the
formidable looking demi-racers fOun,
dering in the mud while it made its
way steadily past them, and pulled in
at the club mouse with seals unbroken,
and. although it was disqualified be-
cause of an adjustment made to the
speed gear. the little car. taking into
consideration its size and power. made
one of the most remarkable records
OF the contest.
Bettered Expectations.
Frankly. I did not expect TO finish
with a perfect score when 1 started
out" said Gardner Orme, the owner and
driver of the plucky little machine.
1t was my first attempt in cOmpeu-
ton Of this kind. and 1 went into II
more by way Of practice than with any
hope Of pulling through. Now that I
have come through. II seems to me that,
lnasmuch as my seals were unbroken, l
should have at least some recognition
at the hands OF the committee. and 1
intend TO lay my case before them X
was not necessary to tighten the clamp
on that low speed gear, and was not
compelled TO use fl after the adjustment
was made. Even supposing 1 aid, II was
nv understanding that a clean score
meant that the hoods had not been tam
pered with, and had no bearing on
the repairs made TO tires or any other
part OF the machine.
''Tae run certainly proves my machine
an exceedingly durable car. as those
who saw me taking the breakers and
hills on full speed can testify.
Nearly Drowned.
when Just a little way from the city
l met nv first obstacle in the shape OF
a small stream very much swollen by
q the rains. crossed safely but the
water flooded the engines and the ma
chine stopped stock still just on the
other side / thought it was all M
with me then. but after cranking I was
surprised when the car started on
1T was at Olney that I rigged W. 2
temporary device for holding the low
speed gear n place because I did not
have a screw handy which fitted the
thread OF tho gear.
From Frederick to Ridgeville I RACED
a 4O-horsepower machine and reached
the latter place and ate my lunch be
fore it caught up. It had left Fred
erick fifteen minutes ahead OF me and
] passed It about half way between
these points. Near Ridgeville another
car collided with mine and for the frs
time 1 experienced some difficulty fl
starting. Ny machine was wedged int
a ditch In such n manner that it wa'
Impossible TO pull out without ala and
the car which had pushed me Off thu
road towed me back on with the aiC
cf my own power
in Danger From Fire.
The accident which most nearl!
proved disastrous happened when
about eighteen miles from washington
- my observers foot pushed the fOotboar'
against the exhaust pipe. The pipe va
red hot and the board caught on fire
THE flames had almost reached tn,
Ea-nlene tank when we checked them
Attrr this we had no trouble.
The run was revelation TO me o
' what the machine could do. on Frlda.
] went back over the same road &
rescue the pilot car which was strand
- 60 at Monrovia, about three miles iron
New Market. The top Of the carbureto
had been broken and the pilot was Iai
zap until this part could be replaced
ON the return run came over the sam
route as The contestants took and mad
record time from Ridgeville to Wash
lngtOn."