Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-08
WILL RACE
TO BIG HORN
SMITH AND FENNER READY FOR
eRuELLINe CONTEST
ROAD TO MOUNT RALDY TEST OF
CARS WORTH
Owners of Machines Have Bet $1,000
Each on Next Sundays Event.
Sturdy Autos Are
Necessary
nv HAINEs w. REED

The one topic of interest to the Los An
eeles automobile world is the coming race
between A. ]. Smith, coast agent for the
Gilmore, and F C. Fenner in Whlte
steamer. This race, which will be pulieo
off on September Is. will be one OF the
most streuous and nerve-racking contests
that could be arranged. The course Tres
from Los Angeles out through the san
Fernando valley to Palmdale. From there
it winds over the desert and up Moun'
Baldy to the Big Horn mine.
Besides heavy grades along almost the
entire route there are many streams to
he crossed and countless rough and rocky
stretches to be climbed over. In some
nlaces the road follows the bed Oh
stream for a considerable distance, the
water being over knee deep. The trip is
one that would test the material in the
best constructed car, picking its way
carefully and taking as much time as re-
ouired. To go over this trail at an average
rate of twenty-five miles per hour seems
to the amateur an Impossible unoertah,
ing In fact only the most experienced
racers could undertake such a task as Will
confront these two veteran motorists next
Sunday.
The friendly rivalry between Fenner
and other contestants has existed Tor
several years. This year Mr., smith ex-
tanded a challenge to the White people,
and his proposal was promptly accepted.
A thousand dollars was put up py eacn
side. and the amount will be placed on
exhibit in some downtown window some
day this week. The contest was held open
to other entrants, but no one seemed 10
want to interfere in the double contest.
The two racers will start thirty minutes
apart. the first leaving Los Angeles at
daylight and the second starting hall an
hour later They will draw lots to see
which starts first. This early hour is
chosen because of the GOODNESS OF the
early morning and because the streets
leading out of the city will not be CROWDED
at that time. The winner of the race VIII
nrobably reach the Big Horn mine before
$3.50 o'clock.
number of non contestants will follow
tbe racers as far as Shoemaker's ranch.
From that point to the Big Horn mine
the road is Utmost impossible for an Or
dinary machine Any fully equipped car
could not well help being injured if 1t
were forced over this final stretch OF
steep grades.
The contestants have already been over
the road in their tough racers and are
familiar with the route Mr. Smith said
sIf | can make as good time as l made
on nv last trip will win the contest next
Sunday My little machine will travel
over the entire route as fast as machine
can go and stay in the road, ana am
confident 1 can win the race If nothing
breaks that will cause delay"
Mr.. Fenner and Capt. Ryuss proprietor
of the White garage. are equally confident
of victory and have every confidence IN
the steamer The race will be trying
contest and one which will test to the
utmost the endurance of the cars and
ability of the drivers.
Neither of the cars are beauties in ap-
nearance as they stand stripped for the,
contest. but they both have the goods to
stand up to the task before them. Each
contestant will take with him mechanic
and such tools and outfit as he may deem
necessary for the trip.
A big blowout is being planned for Sun
day at the Big Horn mine for the con
testants and their numerous friends who
will follow them along the trail or pre-
cede them Saturday in order to be in at
the finish.