Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-09
MOTOR RACING SPREADING FAST
erase In America Taking Hold in
Many Sections.

mAny SECTIONS
NEW YORK. Aug. S.-The craze for au-
tomobile road races, which had it's incep-
ton with the first Grand Prix in France
and the original Vanderbilt cup race in this
country, spread by degrees during the few
years Immediately after these events, but
this year has seen a greater territory af-
fected han in any other twelve months.
1t began with the stockcar road race at
Savannah early in the spring, and this was
closely followed by the road race for the
Briarcliff trophy, the Rocky mountain road
race held at Denver, and the recently fin
ished Glidden tour, which, while a contest
of endurance rather than speed, may still
be put in the catalogue. The last few weeks
have been replete with rumors and dis
cussions OF the two great races to be held
this fall, the Vanderbilt cup race and the
grand prize competition TO be held over the
Savannah course on Thanksgiving day.
Before these events take place, however,
there may be other road races of less gen.
eral importance, but having fully as much
local interest.
The Chicago Automobile club is working
to get a course in Indiana for the next
race for the Jefferson-D emont- Thompson
trophy for stock chassis, and this project
$780, AASN WANAA - AoNCA oAhghG ~
jewellers Of the Hoosier State. In fact, it
has awakened so much enthusiasm that in
several of the towns near the proposed
course the majority OF the voters have
signed q petition asking Governor Hanly
to order out the militia to guard the course
in case the race Is contaminated. The
American Automobile association is well
pleased with the idea Of sending this event
into the west, for that section of the coun-
try, although the heart of the automobile
industry, has had no contests, either on
road or track, of a blue ribbon caliber.
There have also been rumors that the In
diana Automobile association intends to
make a determined effort to secure this
years Vanderbilt cup race, but in view of
the fact that application has been made
by the American Athletic association for
the course over the Long Island highway,
it is most improbable that anything will
come of this project.
Another rumor which is OF interest to
a~utoists says that New Jersey is also plans-
ming to hold a road race. This sounds
hardly probable in view of the drastic leg
wislation against automobiles which the state
has put through, but nevertheless enough
details are given to make the rumor seem
to have some basis. The course, as pro-
posed, will be about 300 miles, and will in
clude the beautiful stretch OF road along
the ocean drive from Seabright to Allen
hurst, through Monmouth beach. Long
Branch, Elberon and Deal. returning via
Norwood avenue to Long Branch, thence
to Eatontown, Shrewsbury and Red Bank
and back to Seabright via the Rumson
road. This circuit is about twenty-seven
miles in all, and, considering the excellent
condition of the roads, would be conductive
to the highest speed. The Elkwood Park
Automobile association is said to be back
Of this scheme unofficially, and II the plans
4 go through the contest will probably be
held some time in September.
Another car has been formally entered
in the Vanderbilt cup race, making the
third entry to be received by the cup COM
mission. II looks now as II fully fifteen
or twenty cars will compete in the elimina-
tion trials which are to be held on Octo-
Der 10 on the new Long Island Motor Par
away course, Of which eleven miles are ex-
pected to be completed by that time.