Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-30
AUTOMOBILE CONTESTS
LIKE CHARIOT RACES

~ Romans found in q chariot race is
being supplied to the modern world
through the thrilling contests of the au.
tOmobile speed kings.
Whether held on the open roads or on
track. the mad dash Of the automobiles,
with their daredevil drivers at the
wheels, more closely approximates the
chariot races in the amphitheaters of the
ancient world than anything that could
be imagined.
1t was the thought of the world that
the chariot race had passed for all time
Superb paintings and notable groups in
marble recall the days of its glory
There is to be seen the fearless driver.
standing erect in his low chariot, holding
In his hands the reins that control the
action Of half dozen plunging rearing
powerful horses. His toga is blown to TIE
wind, his face is set hard in the nervous
animals in check. The fury of battle is in
the faces Of those who ride to glory or
defeat.
These were the mighty heroes of an
tiquity.
The driver who could win one of such
races was a greater man than the adored
prize fighter of modern times i'm the
United States. the foot ball payer OF the
colleges or the toreador Of Spain
Delir!ous crowds acclaimed his victory
In thunders of applause the fairest ladies
of the realm saluted him. maidens danced
before him. strewing flowers in his path,
and monarohs gave him garlands Of laurel
for his victorious brow.
But all this was thought over.
The jockey or the driver of the trotting
horse never occupied a parallel place.
They were heroes, but they went through
no such terrifying experiences as the old
chariot racer.
The death at running or trotting meet
of any driver or jockey is the rare thing.
In tl,n ntso TOT 81
death was a never absent entry, and in
some Of the terrific mix-ups, where horses.
drivers and chariots came together in an
inextricable jam, 1t was nothing common
for men, horses and spectators to go to
their death.
But all this was supposed to be of
forgotten age, only a memory Of times
when human life was held much more
holiday the populace counted the splitting
of blood as being nearly necessity.
But now the chariot race has come
back.
1t is no longer the power Of half a doz-
en- or at most eight. ten or q dozen horses
that furnishes the motive power.
Now In the crashing cylinders of this
modern mechanism of racing is impris-
oned the power Of six score horses. The
old world never knew such motive power
as the modern automobile maker puts
into his creations.
can make was never even dreamed of in
the period Of ancient Rome. when men of
wealth counted 1t nothing to spend a for
tune on the team of horses that was
counted upon to bring a victory in the
racing contest Of the amphitheater.
Now the amphitheater has given place
to the track, as the motor speedway in
indianapolis, the motordrome in New
York, Brooklands in England, or any one
of number of horse racing tracks that
have been made over fer the use Of auto
MODELLING contests.
Sometimes the battles of the modern
characters are held over the open
roads Of the rural districts. In New
York it is the Vanderbilt cup contest
that is a battle Of this kind; in Savannah
the battle for the grand prize cup took
the racers over twenty-three miles OF
beautiful country, going part Of the way
under moss-hung trees. whose superb
charm is one Of the boasts OF the stare
Of Georgia. In Philadelphia the cars
race through Fairmouh faIh' o'ei
course eight miles long. .
But wherever it may be there is ever
the certainty that a huge CROWD VIII ps
present. for the automop.le rae ,, hppea as
tha ancient chariot race did to the popu-
lace of the ancient countries
The element Of danger is one OF the big
gest attractions as rde ~ sxsnts T. is slg
r;acant fact that the most frequented
no,nt. are those where the danger Is
greatest - $500, .n,
20 death" that the spectator hopefully
eces. and during the entire duration of
race' no matter how long il may be, the
CENTRALIZED onlookers are fixed on the spot
At top speed, mile minute, a ma
chine bears down on the danger spot in
the road. 1t Is a bad turn to start with.
Hours of being plowed up by powerful
machines has Clipped 1t into mass OF
small stones. and deep ruts have been
marked in its surface.
But the intrepid driver of the modern
form of the chariot has just as iron nerve
as his predecessors Of centuries ago.
There Is no thought of slowing up In his
mind as he approaches the turn
1t Ia in his mind to take IL at top speed
for ne remembers that his competitors
are doing IL too. and the cars ne leads. or
those with which he is trying to catch
M will not hesitate.
Straight at the curve he goes. The car
skids and sways. Let anything go wrong
with the steering gear or a tire coms off.
and 1. IS not hard to imagine what will be
the fate Of the driver. Or for that mat
ter the fate OF tine spectator. for all of
them who are closu by are in constant
danger
All during the race, no matter how
often this incident is repeated, 1t always
finds delighted spectators. And the great
er the peril, the narrower the escape. the
greater the delight. JOY and thrill ct
those who are looking On