Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-16
New Orleans
Plans Big Auto
Racing Events
Mardi Gras Visitors Will Be Treated
to Some Fast Racing for
Two Days.

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 15.-The auto
mobile races to be held here during Mardt
Gras week give promise of furnishing some
of the bext exhibitions of motor speed con-
tests this city has witnessed since the
Inauguration of the automobile carnival,
which terminates. the great French fes-
tivities here. The program which has just
been announced heralds sensational rae
ing and the events are sufficient In num-
Der enough to attract the motor world.
The race list is made up. of twelve events.
But only one of them may be @classed as
even q near LONG distance race. That one
is the fifty-mile race, open to all stock
chassis classified as to piston displace-
ment.
The other events are of the sprint
variety, ranging from five miles to twenty
five. Several other contests will likely be
added to the program before the opening
of the racing, which is February 5. The
second half of the card will be concluded
on the following day.
While the distances of the events are in
no way near those held at auto races In
the north, that fact does not rave a
tendency to decrease the interest among
speed pilots over the approaching com
petitions. This city can only boast of a
small track and many enthusiasts here
claim that auto track meetings are much
better han road races as far as the
spectators are concerned. In an enclosed
track the spectators claim they can see
the contestants in action all the time,
whereas in a good road contest the cars
are lost to view most of the time.
Since the list of events was sent put to
cities throughout the country many letters
and kilograms have been received here
asking about the races. The fact that the
races come at a time when the north is
beseiged by cold weather sends many per-
sons here to escape the cold as well as to
witness the motoring events and Mardl
Gras carnival. Since the week of fes-
tivities included auto races 1t has become
apparent that more persons have been
visiting the city than has been the case in
recent years.
The program includes the following
events:
FEBRUARY 8.
Five miles, for stock chassis, ISL to 230
cubic inch piston displacement.
Ten miles, for stock chassis of all kinds
open only to amateurs, chauffeurs, me.
chanics and non-profesional drivers.
piston displacement.
Five miles. free for all.
Ten miles, free-for-all handicap.
Twenty-Five miles, for stock chassis, II
three classes, 161 to 23o piston displacement
S1 to $50 piston displacement, $50 to 60
piston displacement.
FEBRUARY O.
Ten miles, stock chassis, 3n to $50 anC
451 to 600. piston displacement.
Five miles, amateurs, stock chassis.
Twenty miles, New Orleans championship
open to local cars.
Ten miles, free-for-all handicap.
One hour, or fifty miles, for all stool
ment.
Dealers purse to first three men in tw,
days racing, decision on points, each frs
counting five, second three and third one.
Each year the manufacturers have ap
peared to take an increasing interest ii
the races, but the carnival is held NOR
for the spectators pleasure than from a.
automobile advertising Viewpoint. Wor
has been received from a number of auto
mobile firms throughout the country tina
they wish to enter cars, and this is take
as a good indication that the meet wi
again be successfully contested.
Local auto followers are elated over tn
news that Barney Oldfieid will come her
to take part in the races. Oldfield is
favorite here among automobile track FOL
lowers, and he generally supplies interest
ing exhibitions Of daring speed. Ben Kirch
ner has also announced that he will be o
hand to compete. Lewis Strang, LOU
Chevrolet, Bob Burman, George Robertson
Jack Aitken and Charley Merz are ais
expected to come here to compete.