The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-02
GREAT AUTO RACE TO-DAY.
Rain Likely to Mar Grand prix Contest
Christie an Outsider.

Special Gable Despafeh 10 TIE SON.
PARk. July +Neve we're more COM
plete preparations made for a great auto
mobile race than those now finished through
the cooperation OF the Automobile Club Of
France. the French Government and the
authorities of all the included
In the Seine Inferieure circuit for the race
for the Grand Prix tomorrow, 1t lie the
second event Of the kind under the auspices
Of the Automobile Club OF France. but from
present indications the weather is likely TO
upset all calculations, both as to attendance
and the performance Of the cars No driver
wants a wet roadbed, but unless there is
sunshine coupled with a brisk, dry breeze
there will he a greasy track for the great
trial and the number Of spectators will be
greatly reduced
Even these untoward circumstances. how
ever, cannot extinguish the ardor OF the
enthusiasts who are arriving at Dieppe and
other favorable centres about the circuit
hourly. almost infinitely. and these loyal
sportsmen and women will, II the elements
continue III tempered, see such a contest
as was never before seen in France II ia
said that never before has there been a great
auto race over wet roads. This condition
eXcites the keenest interest on the part of
the betting community and the ma nufacturers
of cars.
The French makers. while naturally pre-
ferring a dry track. are not so distressed
as they might he at the dampness. owing
to the fact that IL is expected to hamper the
Italian cars in a greater degree than the
French, because of the excessive weight
of the former. coupled with the regulation
allowing only thirty litres Of petrol for each
100 kilometres.
Until the weather seemed determinedly
adverse the Fiat cars had the best Of the
betting. notwithsta nding the unbroken pre-
eminence Of the French manufa cturevs.
Now doubts are expressed as TO whether
the heavy cars can finish. and automobilists
will not be surprised if several cars are in
capa citated by want Of petrol alone.
In view Of the public betting there is some
thing almost pathetic or humorous. according
10 ones bent. in a despatch cabled just pror
to Christie's sailing for New York, quoting
him a. saying he expected TO win the race.
In the published quotations he Is sim ply
among the also rams at the longest odds.
Should he win his triumph will be correspond
ingly great. and since the cry here is for a
hundred kilomstres an hour and Christie IL
reported to have made two miles a minute
on Long Island IL Is not unlikely that he will
furnish a surprise. American skill In driving
will be further represented by Heath. In a
Panha I'd. and Shepard ~ a Baya rd-Clemen
Although owing 70 the weather and the
renders the tribunes much easier Of access
than last year no such crowds are seen in
motors along the TpHuS COnNeTRtng on the cir
cult as were seen last year on the Sarthe cir
cult. Nevertheless a. goodly number are
nocking to Dieppe, where the old. narrow
streets are alive with them. The cars present
a gala appearance even In the rain, with vari-
colored small balloons bobbing from every
available corner, while the forward posts bear
the flags OF several nations, The American
rag is not wanting in this galaxy OF resplend-
ent bunting. nor are Americans alone its only
carriers. Admitting foreigners faunt the
starry flag aloft on their cars with their own
banners. a lesson both In politeness and
patriotism which IL quite lost on some Ameri-
cans. who only cry for their own country when
In need.
In place Of the broiling heat which prevailed
on the Sarthe course the race tomorrow may
be run in "A cold. humid wind OF the Channel
coast. with all the spectators wearing over
coats. To-day early visitors TO the tribunes
looked like football players in November.
being bundled up to the ears to escape the
chilling wind
A thrilling treat awaits tho spectators
when, after q o'clock in the morning, the
competitors in the sportive commissions
cup race are added to the competitors for the
Grand Prix, Fifty automobiles will be cours-
ing around the fifty miles of track. The
reduction Of the Grand Prix TO a single days
race and the addition OF the sportive COM
missions cup ought TO render the day much
more interesting for The spectator than the
Sarthe race, when they found that time
dragged between the appearance OF the
racers.