The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-22
BROKE A RECORD.
Great Smith Roadster Surprises
California Autoists.
Makes Trip From Los Angeles
to San Diego in Nine Hours.
SHORTENED BY2 HOURS
Averaged 90 SO Miles an Hour
for 1S5 Miles.
Mountainous Road Hub Deep in
Mud in Places.
SHORTENED BY2 HOURS

San Diego, Cal, Feb. 22.-The
Union prints the following:
All previous records in automobile
driving between Los Angeles and San
Diego by way of the inland route were
broken yesterday when a Great Smith
car, driven by p. A. Renton Of Los
Angeles, arrived at the Brewster hotel,
having made the trip in just 8 hours,
two hours less than it was ever made
before. The start was made at 7:40
yesterday morning from the Times
office, and 1t was just 4:40 when it
drew UP in front of the Brewster. 1t
I is claimed that the previous record
over this route was nearly IL hours,
having been made a little over q year
ago in a machine containing William
NJ Garland and driven by Billy Guild
The Car contained two occupants.
In addition to Mr.. Renton was Charles
Fuller Gates, well known automo-
bile writer for the Los Angeles Times.
They had signatures in both Los An
sgeles and San Diego to prove that they
made the trip in the remarkable shor.
time claimed. A short note stating
that they left the Times office at the
time quoted was signed by II. G..
Leonard, member of the business
staff of that paper. The confirmation
of their arrival was vouched for by
Manager Daggett of the Brewster.
The route travelled took them
through the San Gabriel valley. Thence
through the Ramona and Chino val
leys and the Temescal canyon to Elsi-
more. From there they went by way
of Bonsal to Escondido, and then to
Miramar. Instead of going the regu-
lar and shortest route from Miramar
they went over the new road to the
Tore Pines, and thence by way of La
Jolla and Old Town to San Diego. This
! way Is between and 10 miles longer
| than the direct Escondido road.
The conditions under which this trip
| was made in the Great Smith are re-
| markable. The roads in places We're
unusually bad, a condition due to the
recent heavy rains. In places the ma
chine went through mud hub deep, but
without the least trouble The occu-
pants came prepared for any emer-
gency. They were loaded down with
shovels, rope and tackle in case the
machine should stick in the heavy mire
but not a piece of this paraphernalia
was resorted to during any part of the
| trip. They also had tire chains with
| them in case of emergency, but the long
run was made with bare tires all the
way. S@
I The machine odometer registered 18s
miles for the entire trip. This makes
| the average speed 20 go miles an hour
1t is claimed by both Mr.. Renton an6
Mr.. Gates that the engine was not stop
! ped once from the time they left Los
+ Angeles until they arrived in San Diego
No stops were made for oil or gasoline
but they did pull up one or two places
| to take a few pictures. Another re-
markable thing about the performance
is that only slightly over II gallons OF
gasoline were used. This is approx
mately running II miles on every gal
lon of gasoline, while the average car
will only run s miles to the gallon,
| The car which did this work is a
brand new Great Smith roadster. 1t
is a four cylinder, 40 horse power ma
chine. Its regular seating capacity is
for two persons, but it will accornmo-
date three as there is little jump seat
attached behind. The machine is now
in the garage on the southwest corner
of Fourth and G streets, managed by
B. S. Kirby, who has the local agency
for the Great Smith machine. Even
after it's long journey yesterday it is in
lust as good condition as when it left
Los Angeles, and is ready to make the
return trip any time the men desire to
go.
Mr. Gates also has the distinction OF
| having accompanied E. B. Wadham in
| the first gasoline automobile that ever
made the trip from Los Angeles to San
Diego That journey was made in the
| year 1901 in a Winton, one of the finest
cars built then. But the time required
! on that trip is not to be compared with
any modern car or the performance OF
Yesterday 1t required three days to
| cover the distance.