Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-07
LARGE CROWDS
WATCH RACERS
AUTO DRIVERS EAGERLY AWAIT
SATURDAYS EVENTS
SANTA MONICA RACE COURSE IN
GOOD CONDITION
Grandstands Are Nearing Completion.
Many Owners of Machines Entered
Will Open Camp Near Scene
of Contests

for the Santa Monica automobile race,
the great Pacific coast classic, and the
racers are eagerly awaiting the call of
time of the big race at 8 o'clock Satur-
day morning. AS the time of the event
draws near the interest increases and
each morning the course is lined with
enthusiastic autoists, anxious to see the
big cars in action and to get an idea OF
what to expect when the race is on.
Yesterday morning as early as
o'clock, the favorite hour for the racers
to practice, nearly 800 persons were at
the course. The practice yesterday was
light. The Studebaker and Locomobile
and the E. NJ. +. cars circled the course
several times, but did not attempt any
long bursts of speed. The Lozier car
also was out early and gave one or the
fastest exhibitions, and the showing
that this machine is making in practice
is attracting many supporters. who be-
lieve that this car will be among the
first to cross the finsh tape.
Camps Open Today
It is expected that the opening of
the camps of a number of those who
will participate in both the heaVy anu
light car events will be made today, as
nm to this time the cars have been
| driven TO and from Los Angeles for the
practice spins. A number OF the drivers
and owners realize that the run from
Los Angeles is not conducive TO the
best condition of the motors, and Tor
that reason wish to be at the race
course the remainder of the time pelore
| the race.
As the result of what appeared to be
an attempt to puncture the tires of the
racers. the officials in charge or the
race have decided that from now on the
course will be patroled night and day.
Yesterday morning the patrolnlenn y
who are employed at the course 1ouna
bits of glass scattered at three 1,l. Til
ferent places about the track. The
glass was plate and evidently had been
Hammered into small pieces and scat
tered promiscuously about the track II
fortunately was discovered before the
racers started out for their morning
spins. The track was carefully exam
ined the entire length and the glass re-
moved. The idea iss preValent % InaI ~ ~
was the work of some crank VINO is
! opposed to automobiles and that the
bits of glass were not scattered from
any malicious intent.
Citizens Enthusiastic
THE citizens of Santa Monica de-
nlnred the action, as they have taken
a keen interest in the race and are
doing everything in their power 10
make II a success and to render the
likelihood of accidents remote. Inc
attitude and enthusiastic manner in
which the Santa Monica citizens have
taken hold of the project Is encourage
ing to the Automobile Dealers asso-
citation. -. ,.
pened to Bruno Seibel, the ChadwlcK
driver, at the sharp Nevada avenue
turn Monday morning, the street SUI
nerintendent of Santa Monica and a
| score of Workmen began yesterday
! morning to arrange the turn with q
view TO eliminating the danger. the
present plan is to extend the empahK-
nent along Nevada avenue ninety rect
/ and if, after a thorough try-out' thls
plan does not appear feaslole' Iurtnel
| changes will be made.
The present plan is to extend the
board planking further along the ave
nue., with the outer edge raised atter
| the fashion of a saucer track. rms
! turn is regarded as the real danger
! spot of the course and every possible
precaution will be taken to have II IN
/ danger proof condition before the
races ~
| Driver Seibel, who escaped with a
severe shaking up, is expected to be
ON the course again today, as the nee
| essary repairs have been made on his
4 Chadwick.
Will Install Telephone
The Sunset Telephone company will
start a force of men at work this morn
ing installing the phone system on the
| course for the use of the race officials
| Telephones will be installed at the
| Judges stand, the race course commit
| rec stand. timers stand, the paddock
/ Soldiers home turn and at the Ocean
avenue turn. These phones not only
/ will he available in keeping the Of
fcials informed on the progress or the
race, but will be of inestimable value
in case of accident. -,
/ The automobile ambulance which VIII
| patrol about the course during the
race was about the track yesterday
and the driver is becoming as expert
as the racers in taking the sharp turns
| and preparing for emergency work
| The work on the grandstands prac-
| tically was completed yesterday, and
| it is estimated that the three big stands
will seat about 5000 persons and nave
been advantageouslv erected about
half way along the Ocean avenue
straightaWay.
Small Stands Built
Enterprising persons with an eye to
| reaping financial returns from lle Dl6
races have erected small grandstands
at various points Of vantage along the
| course.
The judges box, the press box and
the score board will be directly oppo-
site the grandstands. in plain view OF
all fortunate enough to obtain seats IN
the stands. The box for the judges and
press has been constructed and all that
remains to be done is to place 1t in po-
sition.
The course is being oiled and properly
cared for, and the citizens of Santa
Monica are taking great pride in what
they term the "best course in the
! country"
The speculation Of the trail birds
who watch the practice spins is one OF
the interesting features of the days be-
fore the race, and even the younger
| generation have become acquainted
! with the different cars and drivers and
discuss automobile racing as though
it was an every day happening in that
vicinity.
AS the interest in the races increases
the first conservative estimate that the
attendance would number $4,000 is now
| regarded as a modest one and $4,000
| is the attendance now prophesied.
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