The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-24
Famous Automobile Driver in
The City Last Evening
Says 100 Mile Contest Is
Longest Necessary.
HE PLACES NO BLAME
ON SPEEDWAY TRACK
Dare Devil Motorist Says He
Wouldn't Be Structural Iron
Worker-The Job Is Much
Too Dangerous.

"The long automobile race, such rs
the three hundred mile race, that was
attempted at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, Saturday and in which, as
you we'll know, three persons lost
their lives and score of others were
badly injured, is brutal to the drivers
and mechanicians and uninteresting to
the public, as we'll. No race on cir
cular track should exceed one hund-
red miles"
Such was the statement of Barney
Oldfield, the dare devil professional
automobile racer and holder OF more
trophies won in the automobile racing
game than any other driver, last ev-
ening as he, in company with party
Of four were departing from the west
colt hotel in large touring car for
Findlay, Ohio, where he races today.
Sees Their Finish.
In discussing the long automobile
race on a circular track. Mr.. Oldfield.
the possessor of the Remy Grand
Bassard prize, which pays him $75
weekly as long as he holds the record
for twenty-five miles. said that he be-
lieved such pressure had been brought
upon the officials Of the Speedway by
the horrible catastrophe of Saturday
that no more long distance races
would be held in the future. Officials.
Hike driyers,-are-s now of the BELIEF
that one hundred miles is sufficient
for endurance test and exhibition.
The long race is uninteresting to
the spectators. which is an argument
for its discontinuance, stated Mr.. Old
field 1t is also very dangerous. ac-
cording to the famous driver. He says
that after the first hundred miles OF
the race have been run, the drivers
begin to drop out one by one until on
ly a small part of the original enter
les are in at the finish.
Is Fearful Test.
"The physical test on the driver Is
fearful" says Mr.. Oldfield.
NO one who is not acquainted with
the game can understand by reading
an account, no matter how descrip-
tive, just what a severe test the three
mile race is. After the first
hundred miles, the driver and his
live on their nerve alone.
In other respects they are like dead
men. At any time they are liable to
feint and drop from the machine. so
severe becomes the test" says Old
field
Oldfield was in the race Saturday
up until the 12Oth mile when he drop
ped out, preferring rather to suffer
the lost of the richest trophy-a $1O.-
900 gold plated automobile-that was
ever offered in the history of the
sport, than to continue the awful
strain. He says that in that race as
he does in all long distance races, he
held himself in reserve. as he is ac-
quainted with the physical test which
such a race demands of man. AS a
racer Mr. Oldfield has earned the rep
utation of being one of the most care
full as we'll as the most skillful in the
game.
In addition to the physical test, Mr..
Oldfield says that blindness. caused
by the dust and flying gravel break
ing the goggles of the driver, often
force contestants to leave the race.
Cause Of Accidents.
The condition of the speedway was
not attributed as the cause Of the ac-
cidents at indianapolis. Instead tire
troubles and the strain on the racers
are assigned as the trouble.
In discussing the speedway, he said
It was truly a wonderful track and
no doubt the best circular track in
the United States. It's condition will
improve with use and age. like good
wine or whiskey. according to Mr.. Old
field.
When asked whether such a thing
IS fear ever entered a drivers head
he replied that no matter how danger
BUS the sport, the participant who
was putting his whole soul and heart
in the event did not become frighten-
as that Of the iron structural work
er. which I would have no idea of try
ing, because l think them dangerous,
more so than racing. However, I sup
pose it depends altogether on how
one views the situation"
Old Glory 10 "Sick."
Before cranking up his big touring
ear, he was asked whether he was
through with the racing game this
year. "Oh my no, / race at Findlay. /
Ohio, tomorrow, at Erie, Pa. Saturday
and at Lowell, Mass, September s
md Z.
VIII you use Old Glory In your
races In the near future" was asked.
No" he replied. sorry to say, Old
Glory is sick. viii race in 4 Benz"