Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-09
ROBERTSON IS IN LEAD
Average Speed Of Nearly Mile
a Minute at Philadelphia.
FAST Time BY CHADWICK
Hays Runs American Car Into Pole
and Smashes Wheels.
HIS MECHANICIAN STUNNED
Acme's Tire Flies Of Into Crowd
and Boy Is Injured-Half Mil
lion Spectators.
HIS MECHANICIAN STUNNED

Special Dispatch to The Star.
FAIRMONT PARK. PHILADELPHIA,
October 9-Turning the Central Park of
Quakertown into an auto racing hippo
drome here today, the Quaker City Motor
Club entertained half a million people
in this country.
Automobile races there have been a
plenty. but not with such settings as were
brought into play here this afternoon.
Under an Indian summer sun fully one
third Of the population Of Philadelphia
and it's suburbs gathered in the great
recreation center of the city to witness
twenty-five high-power racing autos tear
around an eighth-of- annie circuit at bet
ter than a mile a minute speed. for to-
tai distance of 200 miles.
So fearful was a portion Of the spec
tators that choice places about the eight
miles of park boulevard would be preoccu-
pied that 1t came with its breakfast and
camped out. BY 10 o'clock the full army
of spectators had set it's collective face
parkward and poured into the vast play
ground through a dozen or more en-
frances.
1900 Police on Guard.
The course was completely inclosed by
ropes. Behind the barriers were long
rows of park benches pressed into serv-
ice as miniature grandstands. The
$500 policemen who we're detailed to
guard the lives and limbs OF the specta-
tors and the contestants modified at
an early hour. Then they marched off
in squads to their stations around the cir
cult.
The big yellow pine grandstand. with
ats twenty-five repair pits stretched out
IN 'front.' made a picturesque spectacle.
Bare spaces were quickly covered with
Quakertown motoring enthusiasts and
their visiting brethren. The members Of
the gentler sex were much in evidence,
and the newest things in autumn modes
seemed to be worn In honor Of the oc-
CASTOR.
Up until II o'clock. when the course
was cleared, the steady chug-chug of
motors could be heard and a long line
of autos whirred past the grandstand to
their respective marking places. Taken
all In all. the conditions were most pro-
pitious for the holding Of the big con-
test.
the course at an early hour. The prize
money caused not little comment as
fwho would be the lucky ones. Several
esHphies are offered for machines finish
ing in the leading positions.
bfffve thousand dollars in gold will be
d4vided between the first four drivers.
First money is $500. second 81 go. third
$50 and 500 for fourth. In addition to
the regular trophies. the money to be
cleaned from manufacturers of the cars
and other accessories formed no small
Aen1.
las noon drew near the repair pits
became bustling centers Of activity. The
drivers and mechanicians went over every
part of their machines. assuring them
selves that they were keyed up to the
highest pitch. Then. at a signal from
NfH starter, the cars got In motion and
painted toward the starting line.
Robertson Takes Lead.
The first car went off at II o'clock. The
others followed at intervals of fifteen sec
onds. Car No. II did not start because
the steering post was out Of order.
No. .. the American car. was the first
TO finish the first lap: No. 4. Simplex. sec
ond: No. /. Simplex. third; No. 5. Chal-
mers-Detroit. fourth: No. 3. Benz fifth
The best time of the first lap was. by No
2, $50.
On the second lap Robertson passed the
stand In the lead by a foot over Drach
Chevrolet was in the lead at 1925.
Chevrolet led at the end of the second
lap on elapsed time. On the third lap
Chevrolet led Robertson three seconds
Drach was third.
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