Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-09
SANTA MONICA
COURSE READY
LAST PRACTICE TODAY FOR
CLASSIC AUTO RACE,
CHADWICK SIX MAKES RECORD
TIME FOR TEN LAPS
Final Signal Details Arranged and
Auto World Awaits the Start
Tomorrow-Speculation as
to Speed


Final repairs were made on the en-
bankment at the dangerous curve at
Ocean and Nevada avenues on the
Santa Monica race course yesterday
and the racers took early advantage Of
the change to get their cars accus-
toned to the turn. Although to many
of the drivers the curve still presents
elements Of danger, several of the cars
in practice yesterday turned the sharp
corner at speed varying from thirty
to fifty-five miles an hour.
The entire course was in excellent
condition yesterday, and until the time
of the big race tomorrow morning the
efforts of the road workers will be to
keep the course in its present condi-
tion.
Wednesday night the course was
thoroughly wet down, which prevented
fast time for the early cars, which were
on the track long before the usual hour
of 5 o'clock yesterday morning.
Old Sol soon came to the assistance
of the drivers, and at 5 o'clock the cars
circled the course in the fastest prac-
tice time that has been made during
the week.
Fast Time by Chadwick
All talk of Bruno Sebel, the driver OF
the Chadwick Six, losing his nerve as
q result of Monday mornings accident
was dlsslpated by the manner in which
the "F'lying Dutchman" whizzed about
the course. For ten laps the nervy
driver held his machine to the gaff and
every lap was caught in time less than
minutes and 80 seconds, which is re-
markable practice speed for a course
recently repaired and S.S miles in
length.
1t is the ambition of Seibels life to
make a record for the course that will
figure under seven minutes, and he
promises that such a record will be es-
tablished in Saturday mornings race.
Ralph Leavltt is wearing a happy
smile these days, as he has deep
founded idea that the Locomobile will
not have to take the dust of any other
car when the finish line is reached.
Murray Page, who will drive the Lo-
comobile, was on the course yesterday
+ morning, and by his showing in prac-
tice promises to enhance the reputation
he has earned justly as one OF the pre-
mier auto drivers Of California.
Practice Without Accident
The cars entered for the light event
were on the track yesterday afternoon
and circled the course in time almost
as fast as the heavy cars. The Duro-
car and the Buick did excellent work,
and their consistent practice perform
ance has won many supporters.
That no accidents marred the prac-
tice yesterday, despite the fact that the
course was cireled in some of, the best
time yet made, shows that the track
officials have at last rounded the tri-
angle into perfect condition.
Along the Palisades the roadway is
excellent and the racers depend on
n a1I
that may be lost In taking the sharp
Nevada avenue curve.
The repair tents have been estab-
lished on Second street, between Cali
fornia. street and Nevada avenue, where
all repairs during the race must be
made, excepting tire changes When
ever a racing car is tagged from the
course 1t must turn into California
street, which will be kept open, lead
ing to the paddock.
The telephone system was installed
yesterday and tonight every detail will
be looked into by the committee to pre-
vent any possible mishap on Saturday
morning. The committee in charge of
the race consists of Ralph Hamlin, r.
J. Leavitt, Leon T. Shelter and FredS
eric Pabst.
The system of tagging to be used
by the umpires and referee was an
nounced yesterday afternoon, The
waving of a red flag will be Indicative
OF danger and any car so tagged must
come to an immediate stoR A white
flag will indicate a clear course ahead,
and the display of green flag means
that the car should slow down.
The umpires will have charge OF the
red, white and green flags, and when
a red flag is waved by the referee IL
denotes that such car must leave the
course and so to the paddock for in
structions
The hoisting of a black flag to any
car means that as far as that car is
concerned the race is finished.
A large crowd Of spectators were
about the track early yesterday morn
Ing, and among the most interested
were number of the veterans from
the National Soldiers home, near Saw
telle
When the racers had finished their
trial spins the crowd surged about the
various repair camps to inspect the
cars that will strive for the honors in
the great Pacific coast classic.
Estimates of Speed
The speed that will be attained by the
winner of the Santa Monica road race
Is the subject of much speculation
among auto enthusiasts.
1t is generally predicted that a speed
in excess of fifty miles an hour will
have to be maintained for the entire
distance of over 200 miles to be among
the winners.
In view of the probable speed that the
winner will accomplish 1t is interesting
to review the road races of America
and Europe in 1908, in which the high
est sustained speeds were made.
The highest average attained In
America last year was in the Savanna.
grand prize road contests on Novem-
Der &C. when Wagner drove a 115-
horsepower Fiat for 402 miles in six
houps, ten minutes and thirty-one sec
onds, or an average speed of 65.11 miles
an hour.
The next highest average in America
was attained by Robertson In a Loco
mobile in the Vanderbilt cup race ON
Long Island, October "a. Robertson's
time for the 258.6 miles was 4 hours, 4SI
minutes and 2-5 of a second, an aver
age speed Of CAB miles an hour.
The highest speed of 1908 was made
by Navarro In a big 107- horsepower Fiat
in the Florio cup. race in ITALY, Septem-
ber G.
Navarro covered 1882 miles in 4 hours,
% minutes and 81 seconds, making the
remarkable average of 74.3 miles an
hour.
In all these events the demountable
rims were used, and the cars equipped
with Michelin tires, and In view of
these figures there are many who be-
lieve that an average rate greater than
30 miles an hour will be made In the
Santa Monica race.