The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-31
GRANT IN ALCO WINS B|C RACE
 BY MERRY CLIP Goes 270,O6 Miles h Tiff Faster Than Mile a
 Minute tAVURllES FALL AWAf EARLY IN THE CONTEST Bitter Cold Weather Makes It Un- pIeasant for Vanderbilt Cup Event. Only Four Running When
 End. Came.
BY c. E. VAN LOAN.


 New York, October so.-(special.)-Th fifth running of the vanderbilt cup race was won by Harry F.. Grant, driving 50 horse power Alec, which covered the PTS .0S miles of the new course in hours 25 minutes and z3 seconds, or trifie faster than a mile A minute. A Fiat car. driven by Edward H. Parker, was second, 6 minutes and 16 seconds behind the Alec. After the Fiat he'd finished the race was stopped as but two other cars were run ming, and these were so far behind that they could not be considered in the race. When the checkered flag fell on the Alec this afternoon 1t marked the finish of a contest which was nothing more than q survival of the Attest. Fifteen cars start cd in the big event, and but four were running when the yellow flags were sent out to stop the two which had Hot fin- ished
 For the second time the blue ribbon event of American road racing has been won by an American car. and it Is pity that an unfortunate and almost unpardon- able error of the timers came near to kill ing all the interest in the contest, and did succeed in keeping the winner under cover until the Alec had finished the race. The timers overlooked the Alec on her tenth lap. and thereafter whom she was lighting ganiely for Che lead she was made to appear as, the second or third car of the trio fighting for first honors.
 Bitter Gold Weather.
 The bitterly cold weather kept the at tendance down to a comparatively small figure and the presence of 10 smaller cars running two separate races on the same track initiated against the success of the event.
 It was a shivering crowd which greeted the sun this morning. Those who re- mained out all night were half frozen in spite of the fires along the course. for there was a brisk wind which made noth- ing of an extra coat or two, cutting like knife.
 With daylight came the vanguard of the movement on the grandstand. Every road leading toward the starting point was marked by a swirling crowd Of yellow dust stirred by the heavy touring cars. The man in the little two-cylinder run about felt himself every bit as important as the lordly individual behind the wheel of his $8000 imported car, and there were many brushes on the road and d great deal of uncomplimentary conversation, which was warm enough 10 raise the tenn perature along the roadways
 By o'clock the grandstand was fairly well filled with society people, blue nosed in spite of furs and blanket overcoats
 The first of the racing cars began to arrive and the pits in front of the stand filled up with the helpers. William K. Vanderbilt. Jr., dropped out of the stand and took his place on the track, bundled up in a long ulster which covered him to his leather puttees.
 A tall man with cap cooked on one ear walked down the track inspecting the racers and the camera men followed him in droves. It was Sir Thomas Lip- ton, keenly interested In the sport, as he said, and he posed without protest, his long gray coat Tapping about his knees.
 Other men with purple bands on their arms began to put in an appearance end the police started to sweep the track. For once in the history of the Vanderbilt cup the course was clear. Of course there were several hundred gentlemen who had very excellent reasons for being very much in the way, but the officers escorted them through the barbed wire fence and argued with them afterwards.
 Seven strands of barbed wire constitute a strong argument, and when backed up by long riot stick are reasonably sure to win.
 The police had orders to sweep the course and they did 1t beautifully.
 Mrs. Chevrolet and Baby There.
 A big racing car buzzed down to the grandstand and beside the driver sat a pretty little woman with baby if her arms. It was Mrs. Chevrolet, riding with her husband to wish him luck and many safe returns. Louis was cheered, for he Is always a prime favorite and there were many who picked the racing Buick to win the race.
 At 8:45 the starter and his assistants began to herd the cars into a double line. First came the little fellows which were to make but 10 laps behind these light racers came the cars in class three-four of them--and after them, bringing Up the rear of the procession, the Vanderbilt cup chasers.
 The managers and owners said their last words. shook hands with the drivers and dropped to the pits, where Joe Ryaru magnificent in Kaiser Wilhelm shooting costume. pranced up and down as chief of the pit patrol.
 At word from the starter the first of the baby cars began to bark and shoot out clouds of thick, blue smoke. The starter, one hand on the drivers shoulder, yelled the seconds
 rive, four. three, two, go!''
 quick thrust of the drivers arm, a grating sound as the clutches bit and the first of the racers moved away gath ering speed under it's cloud of smoke, to appear few seconds later shooting down the course, outrunning the cheer which flew after it.
 Like clock work the second car moved up, came to g halt. and in 15