Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-08
AUTO RACE OPEN
TO ALL DEALERS
LOCO AND STEARNS MANAGERS
PLAN BIG CONTEST
DECIDE TO ALLOW ALL RIVALS
TO ENTER FIELD
Greatest Event in Los Angeles Motor
dom to Be Held at Ascot Park
August IS for $4,000
Purse
PAGES 1 TO II

All talk of a "framc-up" or fixed
race in connection with the Stearns-
Loco match, to be held at Ascot park
| Sunday, August 10, was dissipated
Wednesday night at the banquet at
Hotel Alexandria, given to the race
officials and Los Angeles newspaper
men, when G. c. Slaughter, the new
Stearns agent, agreed to make the race
an open event
"Any one that is willing to put up
$4,000 can enter the race as far as l am
concerned" said Slaughter, and the
suggestion was Immediately put up to
Ralph J. Leavitt the Locomobile agent.
With characteristic sportsmanship
Leavitt replied: Il am willing that any
one who puts up the money can enter
the race, and. furthermore, am per-
fectly agreeable to leave the matter of
| entries go until the night before the
race"
The statements were loudly ap-
plauded. for it means that any auto
mobile dealer in Los Angeles or, in fact.
Southern California who has confidence
that his car is better than a Stearns
or Locomobile can determine the issue
by placing $4,000 with Eddie Maier, the
stakeholder, and enter the race Au-
gust Is.
When the memoranda of agreement
was drawn up by Mr.. Leavitt and Mr..
Slaughter, the question of making the
race an open one was discussed, and
it was finally decided to make it a
match race.
Nettled by Reports
| Since that time, however there have
| been numerous reports that owing to
| the friendship existing between Leavitt
| and Slaughter the race had been ar
ranged simply for advertising and
| financial purposes The report nettled
/ ", 3
Los Angeles the past record of Mr.
Leavitt stands for itself, and those
| who know Mr. Slaughter are aware that
! they are two of the gamest racers in
the city and eXpOnents of clean
| Whether any new entries for II race
| will be made is not known, b the
mere fact that the race has been made
an open affair is of the utmost import
| ance in automobile circles.
The purse of $4,000 is the l. st
ever placed for a similar event md
should one or more cars enter besides
the old rivals, it would mean race of
national import.
The race, doubtless. will be the means
of bringing together some of the fast
est cars in Los Angeles in future events.
Many desire to again witness q con-
test between the four leading cars in
the Santa Monica "battleship" event.
and it is not at all improbable that
such race will be arranged in the
near future.
It would not be surprising if Leon r.
Shelter jumped at the opportunity of
entering his winning Apperson. "Jack-
rabbit" and in such event 1t is as
sured that the Chadwick Six would be
at the starting line.
Both the Locomobile and the Stearns
are ready for the race, and have been
tuning up the past week at Ascot park
Roth ears in axpe1lont Non1ffior,
and the auto fans will doubtless wit
ness one of the greatest races ever
pulled off in the United States.
Race to Be Decisive
The plan Of the owners is to have a
race that will be decisive, and fov this
reason all technicalities have been
avoided.
The question of who will drive the
cars has furnished a subject for gos-
sip. Mr.. Slaughter states that Charley
Soules will be his driver, and Mr. Leav-
tit is at present undecided who will
pilot his car.
1t is probable that the names of the
drivers will not be known until the
cars face the starting line one week
from today.
Rumor has it that Barney Oldfield
will be in the Stearns car, and that
Robertson, who achieved fame in the
Loco.
But to all queries the owners simply
replv that two Of the best drivers i'm
the country will be on hand, and that
the great crowd that is expected to
witness the match will not be disap-
pointed.
The race will start at 10 o'clock Sun
day morning, August Is. and will he
for 300 miles 1t is thought that, bar
rine accidents, the race will be finished
by A o'clock, making It an excellent pro-
gram from the spectators point OF
view
No time limit has been set and the
car that first negOtiates the 300 miles
will take down the purse of $4,000 and
the gate receipts left after all legiti-
mate expenses have been deducted
Harry g. Freeman, manager of the
race. who was injured in an automo-
bile accident Wednesday night while
driving from Venice to Los Angeles, Is
rapidly improving and exDects to be
about the first Of the week and COM
40 fofI e