Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-05
Van PATTEN
MAKES RECORD.
oTTUMWA DRIVER, STEERING A
BUICK, COVERED FIVE MILE
COURSE IN 6:06 3-5.
EVENTS WERE FAST
Over 10000 People Witnessed the
Races; Harrington Did Well in
Pursuit Classic; Many Cars
In Parade.

| Lee van PdtLen, I'LL OtluluW a
driver, made record yesterday after
noon on the fair grounds during the
automobile races that will probably
stand for some time to come. Van
Patten driving Model 10 Buick COW
cred the five miles in 6:06 3-5, while
in, the ten mile race he made equally
as good a record when he covered
the course in 1857. The driving of
Van Patten was spectacular and he
was loudly applauded by the immense
audience when he. overlapped the two
other contestants in the five mile race
and outdistanced the other entrants
| in the ten mile event. Yesterday was
Van Patterns first experience as a
car driver in races and his work
showed that he was fearless and I'M
derstood his part.
10000 See Races.
Ottumwa's safe and sane Fourth or
July celebration which was the auto
races was success from every view
point. Over 10000 people paid admis-
sion to witness the races and the
ampitheater, boxes and bleacher seats
could not accommodate the large
crowds which came to the grounds.
The quarter stretch was filled with
automobiles, people coming to the
city in touring cars from all parts of
southeastern Iowa. Fairfield and
Oskaloosa had large delegations,
while other smaller delegations from
other towns were present. AS an adj
vertisement for Ottumwa, the RACES
were great. Thousands Of people
came to the city to witness the events
and the local restaurants took care
Of the many visitors with difficulty.
Younkin Wins Race.
The racing program at the west
end was delayed about half an hour
on account of the rush of people to
the grounds. The first evnts ton the
afternoon program was the motor
cycle rase. There were three entries
to this event, Llyod Younkin, Jack
Sweeney and Hugh Slaught. Younkin
covered the two mile course in 1913,
understanding his pursuers. The
other two entrants declared that the
start was not even and Younkin
agreed to run the race over.
He again was the victor covering
the course in $3.50 3-5 In the second
race, owing to a breakdown, Younkin
operated only one cylinder, and this
is why his time was not as fast as the
first Hugh Slaught, riding an Excel
sior, finished second in 1887 As.
Sweeney, riding Thor. dropped out.
Ten Miller Was Best.
The best event on the afternoon
program was the ten mile race with
three entrants, Van Patten driving
Model No. 10 Buick, won the race, COW
ering the ten mile course in 1887.
Harrington of Chicago, driving
Standardization, came in second, COW
ering the course in 1927, and Higgins,
driving Buick No. 10, third, with
mars of 15:2O1a. This race was the
most exciting of ALL When Mayor Phil
lips as official starter, gave the word,
Van Patten and his car leaped for
ward and kept in the lead throughout
the race. He overlapped Higgins in
Buick No. TO- but was unable to, lap
Harrington. For while it looked as
though the Buick No. 10, which was
Mayor Phillips car, would pass Tar
kington in the Standardization, but
Harrington kept well in the lead and
later got greater distance ahead of
Higgins. Van Patten made a pretty fin
ish. Taking into consideration the half
mile track and the many curves, and
that the car he was driving was one
taken out Of stock, Van Patten made 4
great record in this event.
Harrington Drives Winner.
The second best race of the after
noon was the last card on the pro,
gram, the pursuit race, it being
time event Harrington Of Chicago,
driving a Standardization, won this
event, covering the five mile course in
TIL As seconds. Tarkington's work
in this race was the best performance
he put up during the afternoon and
the way he guided the car. slidding
around the curves made the event
more exciting. George Higgins of Chi
cago, driving Buick No. 10, finished
second in this race, covering the five
miles in 1887 3-5. Walsh, steering an
Overland No. 3s, finished third, going
the course in 1858.
Sets Track Record.
Event number three, for stock cars,
$500 or under, was the race in which
Van Patten made the track record
which is destined to stand The Of
tumwa driver, steering g. Buick No. 10,
went the ten laps in sos 3-5. Van Pat
ten in this race got big lead at the
start and overlapped the other two
contestants, Walsh and Higgins. Hig-
gins, with Buick No. 10, crossed the
line second with mark of S:371s. The
first event on the program, the race
for stock cars under $1,000, was the
only one not holly contested. George
Higgins of Chicago, driving a Buick
No. 10, finished first with a mark of
7:4S 3-5 Ralph Myers, driving a Ford.
finished second with mark Of
1923 3-5 Walsh. driving an Overland,
started in the race but his engine was
not working and he retired. He later
entered but did not finish the course
There were no accidents except u
slight one to Earl Vance. machanician
on Myers machine. He fell off of the
car in the first race while rounding the
turn and he was rolled in the dust
for a distance of thirty feet. His arm
was slightly bruised Despite efforts
of the management to sprinkle the
track. it was covered with several
So boc re 1rcf oy,J fhic, u,oc fLo o,,I,y