New-York tribune., 1910-09-25
BY e. M. West.

The automobile industry owes much 10
the Vanderbilt Cup race. In its early days
nothing contributed more to the develop
rrlent Of the automobile than road racing.
The Bennett Cup abroad and the Wander
bilt here were about equally influential
They stimulated a lot Of interest in cars
first, and then were the means of inducing
experimentation. which developed many
valuable features. In the early races there
was a wide divergence of mechanical de-
sign Gradually this difference largely dis
appeared
Certain principles Of construction began
to be generally recognized. and these prin-
clpies were generally incorporated in all
competing cars. Skilful driving became a
more prominent feature in deciding issues,
and to-day favorites in road racing are
more frequently determined By considera-
tion of the drivers qualities than by the
greatness of the cars they drive. Where
before. bar accident. motor enthusiasts
pected one or another make of car TO
clearly win, to-day there are dozens that
are figured in the winning. This graph
cally demonstrates the general reliability
Of all motor cars and adds TO the sporting
zest of the event. but II also means that
the value Of the race TO the industry has
passed
II one were asked to indicate the great
est benefit which racing had contributed to
motor cars, the choice would undoubtedly
fall on Improvement Of materials in con-
s1ruc.ion- The weight Limitation fixed upon
the early races compelled experimentation
20 determine the strongest materials 10
stand the unusual strains. The experiments
led to the discovery of alloys which have i'm
proved materials a hundredfold. They also
materials for various parts OF cars with the
result that q nice discrimination in the Sc
lection OF materials now makes cars prac-
tically unbreakable.
In shaping tendencies Of design road rae
ing has also played its part, and many IN
Dovstions now recognized and adopted as
standard practice were introduced through
its influence. Most recently racing abroad
has produced the long-stroke motor which
already has found general favor abroad and
IS growing fn favor here. This indicates
the character of the changes induced by
racing experience.
While recognizing this debt owed to road
racing, one IS prone TO believe that the day
of it's formative influence is past and that
other contests play a larger part In latter
day development
Take hill climbing and economy tests
The hill climbing qualities OF an automobile
are more often called into question by
motorists than any other, perhaps. The
hill climbing contest has therefore grown
in favor. its handicap. however is that the
tests are frequently inconclusive because IL
is possible for the skilful mechanic TO
dope" his car TO make its performance
n1ornentSr1ly abnormal. II q hill climbing
contest could be sufficiently sustained. 1t
he
The economy test IS of greater actual
value. because n IS a test along the most
essential line of motor interest The large
development OF the future must be along
the line OF the utility Car. There Will never
be great number of persons who can af-
ford pleasure cars. per So. but the num-
Der that combine pleasure and bust
ness prof1tsbly is growing tremendously
particularly as advances are made In auto
mobile construction which reduce the cost
Of maintenance and operation TO a mini
mum SO low as 20 be within the reach Of
thousands for whom q pleasure vehicle
would always be an extravaganza As the
business possibilities grow these cars must
be regarded as instruments of production
as wealth producers and economic agents.
Any factor. therefore, that tends 20 slim
ulate economy is Of the utmost importance
and contests designed TO test relative econ
oray are sure to be fruitful of benefit
They are as Vet onen 10 the same obiec
ton as hin climbing contests They are
not sufficiently sustained, nor are they
free from the temptation TO dope cars
70 obtain abnormal and exaggerated re
suits.
Reliability tests and sealed bonnet INNS
are sbnorrnsl'ties- The reliability runs ara
Usually governed by inadequate rules and
unequal conditions Undue hardships are
imposed, and the absence of complete Oh
servetion occasionally makes the results
dishonest Even taking these objections
Into consideration the actual benefits de-
rived are great-fnfnitely greater than
those aocruing from racing.
The IDEAL contest however. is that which
If sufficiently sustained TO last under ab-
normal hut actual conditions the life of q
car II is not contest on which the skill of
the driver should be the determining factor.
else the contest becomes q sporting event
purely ana of no real benefit Nor is IL
Q contest In which unequal conditions,