Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-11
MOTORCAR RACES
PROVIDE THRILLS
MECHANICS SUPPLANT NATURE
IN RUSH FOR TIME
Los Angeles Promoters of Automobile
Contests Will Prepare Cards
with Interests of People
at Large in Mind

To the public race is only race
whether the contest Is between auto
mobiles, horses or dogs. Every indi-
vidual has his favorite make Of car
class of horse and pedigree Of dog;
nor does he expect another individual to
agree with him as to his choice. And
even more remote is his personal in
terest in the antagonlsm of manufac-
turers, breeders or owners. What he
wants, and insists on getting, when he
pays his money into the box office, is
that he shall see a race on its merits.
The personality of the driver or nan
dler does influence him, of course, IN
his figuring out the possibilities OF a
winner; but if he is convinced that the
efforts of such driver or handler,
though such may be unknown to MN
personally, are all that could be re-
uuired in honest racing, then the re-
suits, be what they may, are salts
factory to him.
There is no other way to size up
who is q gentleman sportsman. Social
or financial station is not component
part of a sportsman s makeup. Hon
orable actions and honest efforts are
the only recommendations necessary
for a man to be classed among his fell
lows. Where men meet on such a
broad, level plane, all contests OF speed
originated or fostered by them, VIII
meet the approval of the general pub
lie.
The main factor today in speed con-
tests is time-and since nature cannot
furnish it, resort must of necessity, pc
made to things mechanical where the
motive power is greater than can be
endured by any living thing. And the
limit of human endeavor, as MANIFESTED
in things mechanical, is embodied IN
the motor car of today-and 1t is 10
the motor that we must look FOR the
greatest achievements in time; anu II
is the automobile that is furnishing the
thrills of the great human pulse; lor
aviation is too new as yet, ana less
available to the great majority.
All of which has a direct bearing on
automobile racing in Los Angeles. rms
CITY. with a resident population Of SOO'-
OOO will furnish sufficient patrons TO
fin grandstand and paddock, IL there
are races of merit to see. real
drivers achievements are no less than
the ability of the car he controls. Ihe
driver who gets the most out Oh ms
car is a winner though he crosses the
tape last, for he has used his pest en-
deavor to furnish real sport for the
senting a type. not the maker or its
name, is the most potent factor with
the public. Its mechanical construc-
tion and speed possibilities are what
count in the race.
With these facts in mind and a
liberal number of entries to make
race Interesting, there is every reason
to expect success in the motor car
racing game, and all races pulled off
on any track in or near Los Angeles
will be we'll patronized. To center the
public's attention on any event a rea-
sonable reference as to the makes Of
cars and the drivers should be made.
The men promoting automobile con-
tests are interested in the financial
success of such meets, and should give
the public what it wants and not make
I'M the racing card with the interests
of manufacturers and drivers only in
mind. Then there can be no adverse
press criticism.