The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-04-24
OLDFIELD CUTS
COAST RECORD
With Big BENZ
Clips Fifth of a Second Off the
Mark on Remarkably Fast
lngIeside Track
GOOD Time and Hair Raising
Finishes Mark Ten Events
on Varied Program

one coast record was shattered, and
many speed marks were all but equaled
In the greatest auto meet san Fran
cisco has ever witnessed. held under
the auspices Of Islam temple mobiles of
the Mystic Shrine, al Ingleside yes
terday afternoon. The 10 races en-
braced every variety Of car. the con-
tests were run of in rapid success
sion, and the country's most reckless
time destroyers. OIdheld. Kerscher and
their like, shot around the mile track
in 4 fashion they will find it difficult
10 equal in the big final day OF the
meet this afternoon.
from the amusing race OF the toy
like little Browniekars. driven by en-
thusiastic youngsters, to the contest Of
the giant Benz and Darraco. when
kerscher and Oldheld. old rivals. strug-
Eled and fought for the advantage of
an inch in their rOckstnke course
around the flying track, the quick
coming events kept the grandstand
crowds wildly cheering. There was
hardly race that did not witness
close brush between the straining
cars. each coaXed TO its highest speed.
TRACK FAST, STARTS PROMPT
To followers Of this new sport of
kings, perhaps the feature most worthy
OF comment were the superb condition
OF the track, and the excellent man
ner in which Starter Fred Wagner and
has corps Of professional officials sent
OF race after race in rapid fashion.
Before o'clock the last car had crossed
the finish line. and this despite the
fact that an additional two mile handi-
cap between the two champion drivers
was given.
was obtained when KerScher made a
mile in s.. 80 seconds. but when Oldheld
went over the course in 52.12 seconds.
slipping one-hfth Of q second from the
coast record and lettering his own time
made here six years go in the Winton
Bullet. the track was pronounced one
OF the very best on the coast. The
track committee Of the Shriners de-
serves praise for putting the course in
such shape.
RACE OF SPEED GIANTS
The 1000 spectators undoubtedly re-
garded with most interest the two mile
race between Barney Oldfeld in his six
cylinder Knox Giant. which holds the
worlds stock car record. and Ben Ker-
sCher. in his famous DarracQ. OldfeId
got 8 seconds handicap. and won the
race. but Kerscher's car refused 10
shoot on the start and the contest.
therefore, was not regarded as a fair
brush between the two. The time made
by the winner for the two miles de-
Quoting his handicap. was minutes
1858 seconds.
This race was repeated after the 10
scheduled events were finished. and this
time Kerscher led around the course
making the Two miles in ? minutes $50
seconds.
Oldheld in his 200 horsepower Benz
made z spectacle TO be remembe
against time that smashed the coast
record He declared that he was but
nmbering up. however. for the big meet
this afternoon at . O'Clock.
Oldheld was compelled TO strive his
best 10 get first place in the 10 mile
free for all handicap. for there were
five cars entered against him. The
Dsrrscq refused TO shoot however. and
that left Barney 10 overtake the speedy
little Ford Of the Standard motor car
company, which kept first place until
the finish, when the engine went dead
100 feet from the finish line Oldheld
would have nosed in. however.
The Autocar, which was a close third
when the Ford went wrong got sec
ond place. but the Ford got going and
finished third without losing much time
MAXWELL PRESSED TO WIN
In the FIVE mile free for all handicap
2 close contest developed between the
Maxwell, driven by c. o. King, and
the Oakland. driven by George Nelson.
The Oakland got a bad start, picked it
I'D and led for the first three miles.
then the Maxwell nosed in and won,
the Oakland getting a close second and
q second Maxwell, driven by T. F.
Holmes, picked up an excellent third.
The Maxwell and Oakland finished in
the same positions in the FIVE mile race
for class c cars. priced at from s1,2o1