The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-07-20
GREAT RACES At
CROWN POINT
Threatening Weather Fails
to Keep Immense Crowd
From Fair Grounds.
VAN SICKLE TWICE WINNIE R
Track Record Is Smashed and Speed
Is Revelation to the Many
Spectators.

Crown Point, Ind, July 20.-(Spe-
Cial.) the weather threatening
at times bat other conditions being
ideal. the western branch of theAmeri-
can Federation of motorcyclists, before
one of the largest crowds ever assem-
bled at the Fair grounds to witness
like event, pulled off six exciting races
breaking the track record and going
at a speed that was a revelation to the
spectators, last Saturday afternoon
Many From Hammond.
Chicago and Hammond sent down a
large delegation, coming by train, au-
tomobile and motorcycle and the streets
were alive with the machines by noon.
The management of Their aces called
for much praise from the spectators,
considering the impromptu manner in
which they had to be arranged, and
Mr.. Edwards, who had charge, deserves
great credit for the speed and efficiency
in which he started the different
events. Van Sickle of Hammond, the
Indiana speed demon" against dem
onstrated his ability and couarge and
the daredevil manner in which he won
the ten mile race in the remarkable
time of 1903 and showed his superior
ity over the other contestants as a
speedomaniac" in this event.
Several Have Accidents.
Several bad spills occurred during
the afternoon performance, but luck
lily no one was badly hurt. White,
while turning the oval in the five mile
race, struck a stone in the track which
skidded his wheels and before he could
get control of his machine, drove it
through the guard fence carrying
fence, posts and all with him to the
ditch. A few scratches was the only
injury he received but his machine was
badly wrecked and the spectators eX-
pected to see them pick up a dead man
such was the force of the collision
with the fence. The races will be the
last that will probably be run, as the
Federation of Motorcyclists will not
sanction the holding of races on half
mile track. The visitors were greatly
pleased with the track and are loud
in their praises of Crown Point and its
people. who lent such good support
to their efforts in making the affair a
success.
Shows His Speed to Rivals.
The hero of the day was Young Ber-
nard from Oak Park. who up to the
time of the races, was Il dark horse,
but during the events he showed his
ability as track general and great
things expected from the nervy
little rider in the future.
The following is a summary of the
events and a list of the officials who
helped make the affair a success:
Following are summaries of the
races;
trict championship: Fred Huyck, In
dian. first; c: w: Van Sickle, Indian,
second eod W P. White. Merkel; third.
i Turner also started.
Second race-Three miles; western
district championship: Van Sickle, In
Pfsn Ts' I@k HaFy
! Time-4:44 1-5 J. S. Tormey and J. a.
| Turner, White and c. c. Hinckley also
! started.
Third lacs--Five niles. Western dis
trict championship: Bernard. first:
! Huyck, second; Van Sickle. third. Time
40 LIS. White, Turner and J. ).
Fourth race-Ecn miles; western die
trict championship: Van Sickle, first;
Bernard, second; Huy'k, third. Time
1908. Tormey and Turner also ran.
chimes of 1880 cubic inch piston dis
placement: Harvey Bernard, Harley
Davidson. first; Fred Huyck Indian,
second; c. W. Van Sickle. indian. third
Time-7:09 As. Hinckley also ran.
Sixth race-Five miles; open to CON
testants in New YorkChicago motor
cycle tour: w. P White. Merkel. first;
J. A. Turner, Merkel, second; R. D.
DuSell. Thor, third. Time-S:18 2-5
Woodworth and Hinckley also ran
! Seventh race-Five miles; for stock
machines: Van Sickle, Indian, first;
! Turner, Merkel, second; Howard Holck
Thor. third. TiIne-7:27 Huyck and
White also ran.