The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-11-13
ACCIDENTS MAR
THIRD DAYS RACES
Fitzpatrick and Church Are
Hurled Hundred and
Fifty Feet.
FALL IN BRUSH AND
ESCAPE SERIOUS INJURY
Robertson Lowers American
Fjfty-Mile Record by
Several Minutes.

ALA MA. Ga, Nov l2.-Tcday g
automobile races reached their climax
when George H. Robertson, driving q
sixty horsepower Fiat. lowered the
American track record for fifty miles
by 4;01. lie made the distance in
A0:14.o. The previous record was held
by John Aiken
Aiken. who drove National sec
ond in TO-DAY s race, and Stillman, who
came in third III n Marmon. both bet
tered the Indianapolis mark Aiken
made tue distance in 42.11.tI. and Still
man i'll 13:30.5d. Eight cars started
and five finished, despite tho record
breaking pace set by Lewis Strang,
plotting his 2o0-horsepowcr Fiat, who
set terrific pace in the first seven
teen miles. but in the eighteenth, as
he was passing the Judges stand. tho
tire OF his rear right wheel exploded.
This compelled his withdrawal, rs it
was impossible with the special design
Of the car to make quick replacement
of tires. His time for tho first ten
miles was T:lS.32.
strang Going Fast.
Strang Travelled on an average OF
three seconds 4 mile faster than Rob
ertson, and OH this basis it is figured
that had he been able 10 finish the race
he would have gone tho fifty miles in
four minutes less than tho time made
by Robertson,
Asked after the race if he would
make another attempt at this distance
tomorrow. Strang declared that the OK
plosion of his tire showed the wisdom
of waiting for colder weather before
starting for another record
Hugh Harding, driver of the Apper-
son, "Jack Rabbit had bard time
of IL trying to keep out Of the pocket
made for him by the two Chalmers De
trolt drivers. Lorimcr and Diugley
While on the twenty seventh milo,
while L0rlmer was at the left of him
and slightly in advance, and DingleY
close behind OH the right. Harding made
an attempt to escape from the pocket
Lorimer blew n tire, running against
the fence and losing wheel. Harding
was about six feet behind. when he also
blew tire, but managed TO avoid run
ming into his rival From the grand
stand il looked as if there had been Il
collision and the ambulance WAS
promptly rushed TO the scene, bat
neither driver was injured.
Serious Accident,
A more serious accident occurred
during the practice hour, when sOe-
cially~designed hieh-powered Pope.To-
ledo, valued at $4,000, was wrecked.
II. j. Fitzpatrick, driver. aud Il. G..
Church. mechanician, were thrown $50
feet from their seats. but fell in bed
ding of uuderbrush and escaped with
slight injuries, The car was n total
loss.
The blowing up Of Straug's tire
gave Robertson the lead at The end of
the twentieth mile. He was followed
bv Aiken. Harding. Borimer, StilIman.
Dinglev and Disbrow. the last named in
a Rainier. After the accident to Hard
ing and Lorimer. Stillmnn occupied
third place until be finished,
In his forty-second mile. Aiken was
compelled TO replace tire and the
snectators were treated to swift ex-
hhition bv the man in the repair nit.
The change was made in a minute
and half and the star driver of the
National team was able to resume. with
out losing his position os second in the
race,
The weather todav was warm and
inviting and the largest crowd of the
meeting witnessed the event,