Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-10
THERE WILL BE
SOME EAST GOING
AT ASCOT PARK
SIX-HOUR RACE is GETTING
HOTTER THAN EVER
EIGHT OF BEST CARS IN AUTO
FAMILY TO RACE
Sunday-Drivers Have Smiles for
Each Other, with Knives
Ready, However
BY d. w. sEMPLE

Many today have been wondering
whether there would be the opportun-
ity to witness the siX-hour automobile
race next Sunday on account of the
weather conditions. Not doubt
crossed the countenance of Walter
Hempel and his coadjutor, Henry over
the matter, for both Of these energetic
promoters and handlers of events
smiled and told Of the splendid condl-
tion the rains were putting the track
at Ascot park by softening down the
track and what an untold number OF
men would be paid to do otherwise
than with the dewdrops from the skies.
In other words, half day Of sun
shine delivered to Ascot park within
the next twenty-four hours will make
1t in better condition than it has been
for over a year for any purpose; con-
seuuently there is no doubt about what
there will be something doing in maxi
ing fast time at Ascot park next sun
day.
There is going to be some racing
work done at Ascot next Sunday-take
the tip from The Herald. The drivers
may walk around together and smile
and talk and chat and joke with each
other, but there Is a keen feeling OF
rivalry between them all, and the
faith they have in their cars Is born
of attention given to them personally,
for jealously they scan every move
made by the score of mechanics who
are everlastingly pottering over them.
with such cars as the Apperson,
Stearns Buick, Palmer-Sin Corbin,
Cadillac Pullman and Sunset this race
becomes fully as interesting, from a
spectators standpoint, as the Santa
Monica road race. In that contest the
course was over eight miles and each
car could not pass the stand inside or
haa1E mir
at Ascot the track is only mile
around and cars will be in sight of
every spectator every minute Of the
six hours. Another added feature Will
be the fact that every repair MADE
will be in full view of the spectators,
as the pits are situated just opposite
the stand.
and IL becomes necessary to dry the
track out quickly Manager Hempel
announced yesterday that he would
employ the scheme used elsewhere TO
dry tracks Four thousand gallons of
gasoline will be sprinkled over the
course and lighted. This has been
found very effective In France. Hem
pel does not think this will be nee
essary as the track is so constructed
that il dries very readily and Is easily
drained. An examination late yester-
day afternoon showed that half day
of sunshine would be sufficient to dry
the course. There was no water what
ever standing on the track except at
one turn. This can be easily remedled.
II was drained off and slight I'LL VIII
be made today.
IL can even rain today, and II the
sun shines all day Saturday and sun
day morning the track will be safe
for high speed.
Some of the drivers are worrying
over their inability to get out on the
track and try out their cars. Others,
among them Hanshue. who will pilot
the Apperson JaclSrabbit, does not
want more than couple of hours.
Hempel has another scheme which
may be employed If the wet weather
continues today. There are usually sew
eral hundred machines at the track TO
see the races Fully fifty of these
would arrive before the start and these
can be asked to drive around several
times. The effect of fifty cars rolling
around the circuit would have Won
derful effect. soft track will mean
n more interesting race as there will
be very little tire trouble. OF course
IL would not be possible to race on
wet track.
Very little has been heard from the
Buick camp, where the Phoenix winner
is housed, but the Nikrent brothers
have been at work, and when this car
appears it will be ready.