The San Francisco call., 1908-09-19
DOINGS IN THE AUTO WORLD
Fine Track to Be Built by the
Latonia MANAGEMENT

Reports from Cincinnati tell of what is mod
estIy termed "the first real automobile race
track in the United States" which win be
built in Kentucky, the banks of the Licking
river. within % minutes ride of Cincinnati
Harvey Meyers, vice president of the Latonia
jockey club, and his associates Congressman
Rhinock. president of the Latonia jockey club
and John j. Ryan, former plunger and daring
Stearns driver, plan to build a track one and
at the turns that may negotiate them
at full speed Regular automobile meetings of
considerable length viii be conducted, purses TO
be hung up the same as for horse racing.
The White pathfinder made a swing around
the heart of California early this week The
tour of 400 miles, covered in four days included
10 counties and the cities of Stockton. Sacra-
mento, Woodland, Suisun. Napa, Sonoma, Peta-
luna, San Rafael and sausalito. In the historic
town of Sonoma the of the ''Pathfinder''
was fortunate enough to meet the granddaughter
and great-granddaughter of General Vallejo. who
Under the gracious guidance Of the granddaugh-
ter Mrs A. NJ Thompson, the autoists visited
still standing. During the inspection the big
modern White steamer was stopped alongside of
an antique carriage which General Vallejo had
imported from England in 1880. The one point
OF similarity noted between the two vehicles
the evident fact that both were built to
travel over any sort of road The White was
safety with which he took the party over the
course followed by the Pathfinder showed
The White Pathfinder made a close inspection
of the roads and found them generally poor in
the big valleys. In the coast cities the high
ways were found to be in fair condition
The Rambler builder tells of an interesting
incident which occurred In England Mr. JEFF
to make local trips. In England one day he
riding in car Of very high price, and in
passing along the road noticed a tin mine a
short distance from the main highway. rather
rough road ran to this mine. When he asked
to be taken up the slight grade to a point
where he could view the operations, the chat
feur tcld him that the car could not negotiate
the climb, because the rocks in the road would
tear the lower part of it to pieces On fnvesti-
CATION he found that the clearance was so small
that this danger was really imminent. Ameri-
cars built with as liberal clearance as the
Rambler, as is well known, will safely pass
over obstacles 10 inches. in height.
In arranging for his trip from Cleveland to
the Pacific coast and up the coast to Vancouver
Sales Manager Charles 3. Shanks of the r
Stearns company selected Goodrich tires His
decision was made largely on results. The light
fitted throughout for service as it is his inteI-
tion to undertake number of stunts while on
ing what he would undertake but as Frank XIV w
Leland will be at the wheel it is possible that
the stearns ear will be heard from frequently
while on this coast. 1t Is the intention of Shapks
to open new territory in the west for the
Stearns and few know better the value of well
backed publicity than this old time newspaper
man anu puoliciy Pio'oeei-
The Pioneer automobile company received word
yesterday to the effect that another shipment
OF Thomas cars would leave the factory within
few days. Among the recent purchasers of
Chalmers Detroit cars is II. P. Brainard of Pets-
luna, who has written the Pioneer automobile
company the following: II pleased to saw
that the Chalmers Detroit is all that is claimed
for It, and / have trouble in running it. even
though i am a beginner"
II. P. Frear, naval designer, returned this
week from FIVE day jaunt to the high Sierra
in his two cylinder Buick touring car He was
accompanied by his family and drove to Tahoe
and as far east as Reno. He covered a distance
of $50 miles during five days absence from his
home in Burlinganae.
Miss Alice Potter of Elgin, H. who recently
made successful $500 mile drive from Chi
cago to New York and return, unattended by n
male companion. is now, like Alexander yearn
ing for new worlds to conquer, and is planning
to drive to San Francisco and return next YEAR
She win be competitor in the Glidden tour Of
1909.