The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1908-11-06
CHEAT AUTO CONTEST
Thrilling Incidents Of the Wander
bit Cup Race.
HOW THE VICTOR NEARLYLosT

esorss Robsrtson's Car Went Out Of
<iltss Just at the Very End-A Sam
pie q His Darins-liis Mothsr's Soy
Over Her Sens Victory.
Fully 1000 spectators saw the aceI-
Dent az Plainyiew. N. Y. which all but
cost George Robertson the race which
he won IN the Vanderbilt automobile
cup contest recently held on the motor
parkway IN Long Island. A great roar
went ND ON the anal round as his car
came down the hill The machine was
splitting Gre when II made the first
bend Of the double 8 turn approaching
the farm OF John Luhring at the inter
section OF the Hicksville road. Robert
son gave the steering wheel jerk. and
the car swerved. This kicked up a
shower OF dirt and stones. and before
any OF the onlookers could move the
ear whirled around and was facing In
the opposite direction.
Cheering stopped, and everybody ran
into the road. Robertson was cool and
kept shouting to volunteers not to
touch the car. he said skidding had
caused the trouble. The left hind tire
was torn on and the rear axle badly
bent.
II took just n fraction 'over three
minutes TO adjust the new tire. says
the New York Sun This aroused such
enthusiasm among the onlookers that
where before the soldiers had not been
able 10 clear a space about the car
now the crowd separated Of itself, ev-
erybody getting a little farther back
and everybody shouting to his neigh
Dor 10 give the driver room.
Ethridge turned over the engine. and
the machine rumbled at fits best speed.
Robertson backed for about a car
length and then shot the racer for
ward. His skill In making the center
or the road with so few moves brought
out q cheer which could be heard half
q mile away. There was a scramble
among the automobile drivers to get
the tire Robertson had left lying on
the road.
On one occasion Robertson and SalZ-
man came together on the high viaduct
crossing the railroad between Central
Park and Bethpage. Salxman mounted
the incline first, but Robertson was
close behind him. Neither would d.
minish his speed. In fact, Robertson
quickly put on more power. He crept
mp until they reached the top Of the
viaduct neck and neck. The road
there is only twenty feet wide.
Neither driver would give way. 1t
seemed that one OF them must surely
be forced on the viaduct. Robertson's
mechanic raised himself from his seat
and got ready to jump. Just then the
two cars shot over the viaduct to-
gether and down the other side. Their
wheels graSed.
Down the incline there into what
was quickly named the dip Of Death"
Robertson gained Eve lengths.
When Robertson housed his car, No.
10. after the race. he was given a great
ovation by the hundreds OF people who
had waited at the garage for his re-
turn. He was carried of his feet by
the crowd as he jumped out Of the
racer and attempted to make his way
to a big touring car in which his
mother and sister sat waiting for him.
His coal black face and oil begrimed
clothes didn't prevent a touching fam
lily greeting. Both women embraced
and kissed him affectionately. Then
the crowd shouted for a speech, aud
Robertson stood up I'm the car He was
evidently deeply affected and discon-
certed for moment. He smiled
broadly and finally managed TO say.
We'll. we started for a joy ride. and
we got It."