Arizona republican., 1909-10-23
Pennsylvania, Driven by
 CobeP|y Reaches Phoenix OTHERS ARE ON THE WAY
Coberly Says Fenner's Rec ord of Last Year Will Be Lowered By Several -"We'll Do It In 24 Hours" He Says

The second car entered in the great desert road race from Los Angeles to Phoenix for the Republican cup made the preliminary run yesterday. The Pennsylvania, driven by J. $. Coberly, with w. A. McFadden as mechanician. arrived in Phoenix yesterday about ? o'clock.
 When Coberly arrived in Phoenix and had washed some of the dirt from his face he made the remarkable statement that he expected that Fen ner's time of last year, about thirty and a half hours, would be re- duced to twenty-four hours this year. It is the most optimistic prophecy that has been made by any of those who expect to take part in the great race. Joe Nikrent, who will drive the Buick. said he doubted very much if any better time would be made this year than last. Nikrent said the roads were in the worst possible condition; but Coberly did not seem to think the roads were as bad as they. were made out to be.
 q will admit" said Coberly. that the roads from Mecca to Ehrenberg are rotten. They could hardly be worse. Yet even at this point l ex- pected to find long stretches of sand. Instead of that we found washes with bare rocks showing; then sand, and after that more washes and more rocks It would be "a severe course at night. but in the day time it is not difficult On the Arizona side, from Ehrenberg to Phoenix. the roads are really not so bad. There are places where they ought to be fixed up some, and I understand that the Maricopa association will see to it that they are in fair condition when the race starts. The posting of the roads will be great assistance also.
 -I think that the race will be faster this year than last I believe 1t was done in something over thirty hours last year Take my word for it. the time will be reduced to close to twen- ty-four hours If the Pennsylvania gets out of Los Angeles by a. m. we will be in Ehrenberg by or o'clock of the same day. Then. if they will let us out of Ehrenberg by a. m.. we will be in Phoenix pretty close to noon of that day l shall be very much surprised if Colonel Fenner's record of last year is not completely shattered"
 The car sent through by Walter Vail of the Vail Motor company, who entered the Pennsylvania in the desert race, is the old Franklin that came so near winning the race last year. 1t was sent out simply as a pilot, so that the men could learn the course. It started from Los Angeles Sunday night Morris O'Donnell, who will drive the Pennsylvania in the race, was in the car at the start. He rode as far as Banning and then returned by rail. Banning was the first stop and Monday night was spent there Tuesday night was spent in a dry camp on the desert and Wednesday night was spent at Ehrenberg. Then they loafed along to Salome. where they encamped Thursday night. They reached Phoenix yesterday afternoon HDOut Q CLOCK. The trip was lllNie more than a pleasant jaunt for the motorists. There was no attempt to make time. It was simply a tour of inspection to find out what condition the road was in.
 The road to Phoenix is pretty well lined with motorists bound for Phoe- nix. or those who will come part way. At Dos Palmos COberly met the Ford car on the way back. The Ford lost its way in the desert and it's farthest east was reported to be about eight miles from Dos Palmos. In addition to the Ford there are many other cars trying out the road.
 Five cars have started toward Phoe- nix. but some have already returned to Los Angeles Roger Stearns and Charles Hargis took the baby Ford nearly as far as the Colorado and then went back to Los Angeles. Two cars started from Los Angeles Wednesday night. They are the Doris, with William Rosbyshell at the helm. This car will come all the way through and may be expected in Phoenix at almost any hour. It will be the first time this car has been entered in a road race in the south west The Elmore also left Wednes- day night, but will stop at Ehrenberg D. B. Rose. c. s. Smith and George Dake are the crew. The Elmore will rK- pr ln fin, fl,A '