Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-26
THE DAYS DOINGS In THE WORLD OF SPORTS.
TO BOON THE SPORT.
New English Track Expected to GIVE
Auto Racing Fresh Impetus.

Down in the heart Of Surrey. Eng
land. in the beautiful Weybridgc dis
trict there circles a great white llne
hundred feet wide and three miles
long, which within the SneXt TWO
months is intended to become the most
rema rkahlc race course the world has
ever seen The motor racing track
now under construction at Brookland,
Weybridge, Is the first of its kind to
come into existence, and it is expected
by the promoters to make motor rae
ing as popular Il spectacle as horse
racing. The best Of cycling and run
ming tracks, the most famous athletic
grounds, the most imposing of race
courses sink into comparative in
significance by the side of this great,
smooth. artificial road. In the history
OF modern speed it will stand unique.
Ten cars at a time will be able to
sweep round the three-mile concrete
track at pace probably double that of
express trains.
on the spacious island in the center
of the track ten Of thousands of spec
tatorS will be able to witness these
terrific races. Hitherto motor racing
has principally taken place on roads,
especially selected, perhaps, and spec
tally protected, but, nevertheless. in
spite of precautions, a danger trap for
all concerned. The sharp turns in the
road. the decIivities. the clouds Of dust
have been periS inSeparable from the
roads. Now the racing motoriSt is to
have place where he may ''let him
self GO certain of safety, provided his
motor is not imperfect and that he is
a skilled man. An army of workmen
has been engaged in making this track.
Trees have been felled. huge eXcava-
turned from its course 1t is nearly
completed now. and. after formal
opening at the end of June. it is in
tended to hold the first race meeting
Saturday. July 6.
The new track is in the shape of an
irregular oval, and from start to finish
measures three and a quarter miles
The course is of concrete and is 100
feet wide. Tunnels under the course
and bridges over ibWiIl give access to
the spectators, no one being allowed in
any circumstances to walk over the
track. In view of the great speeds to
be attained, extraordinary measures of
preCaution will be taken to insure the
safety of visitors. They will be sep
arated from the inside edge of the
track by two substantial fences. Be
tween thes" fences policemen will
patrol
Inc races will be conducted on SINH
lar lines to horse races. many of the
events being plates. handicaps or
sweepstakes. There will. however. be
many social contests. such. for in
stance, as those for cars which have
competed in the leading road races
AT the first meeting on July 6. So. 600
VIII be offered in prizes There will
ne tour more meetings from then ia
August Il. 1t is believed that the
motor races at Brooklands will be
come very popular. Five shilIings will
ADMIT to the covered stands. but the
VISITORS who pay two shiIlngs and six
pence. although they will have no
cover. WILL in the words Of ono Of the
organizers, "be able to see ANYTHING
Inc track will be utilized before the
initial meeting by S F. Edge. who ill
attempt to lower all worlds records
Tor "a hours. He will be followed by
Charles JarrOtt who will try to heat
nm. Up to the present III miles an
hour IS the highest speed attained bv q
motor car, and that of course. was ~
ceptlonal. A speed of 100 miles an
hour is expected to become a common
place on the Brooklands course.