Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-23
FOREIGN CARSIN FLAC TOFLAC
Dozen Prizes Are Offered for Different
Parts of the Long Run.
AUTO SHOW AT MEXICO CITY
Prominent People of Both Republics
Are Taking an IRterest In the
Coming LOnE-DIstance
Race.

Growing in Importance and proportions
every day the International flag to flag
contests between the United States and
Mexico are attracting widespread and
merited Attention from manufacturers,
dealers, pfivate owners and clubs through
out the country widened in scope, va
rlety and attractiveness. this banner series
OF events will prove a potent factor in the
west and In the rich republic OF Mexico.
The combined contests will be held in con-
nection with the centennial celebration Of
Mexico, in 1919.
The flag to flag contest was originally
conceived by G. A. Wahlgreen Of Denver,
who planned an endurance and reliability
run from Denver to the City Of Mexico
for a handsome trophy Of his own offer
ing. In furtherance Of this plan a Chal-
mers-Detroit car, driven by Billy Knipper,
with f. Ed spooner and guides, last spring
made a p~athfinding trip from Denver by
way Of Fl Paso to the capital city Of the
Diaz republic. Enduring great hardships
in the desert wastes, this party finally
succeeded In reaching their destination.
They were met with a most enthusiastic
reception. President Porfirio Diaz in per-
SON received Mr.. Wahlgreen and the path
finders who bore letters OF greeting and
good feeling to the ruler of Mexico from
Governor shafroth of Colorado and Gov
ernor Curry OF New Mexico.
Then the thousands of motoring enthusi-
asts Of the great state OF Texas urged upon
the management Of the contest to change
the route through Amarillo, San Antonio
and to cross the border at Eagle Pass. The
Amarillo and san Antonio clubs undertook
the work of making a pathfinding trip
from the border through these towns into
Mexico, where the original route was later
Joined. The international club OF San
Antonio, of which the most prominent cit
izens OF both republics are members, was
especially active.
Closely following the resurveying Of the
route came the announcement of the cen
tennial celebration In Mexico In 1910. 1t
was then considered advantageous to post
pone the flag to flag competition in order
to make 1t a part Of the Mexican festivi-
ties and SO to promote further the era of
good feeling between the two countries.
Interest is Aroused.
With this plan for holding over the con-
test the American manufacturers, who had
contemplated entering, were most heartily
in accord. They felt that they would
scarcely be able to supply the home de-
mand for cars just now, while in another
season they might be able to consider the
Mexican market, which, In the opinion OF
experts, is f~avorably disposed to Amerl-
can-made cars since the performance OF
the Pathfinder.
Since the announcement OF the decision
to run the flag to flag event as a part
OF the Mexican centennial celebration those
Interested In both countries have been CO.
operating in an endeavor to make this
contest one Of the notable and memorable
features Of the international program.
Once more the people of Texas have
come to the fore. The international club
OF San Antonio and the automobile club
OF the same city nave been working hard
perfecting arrangements. According to the
present program instead Of having merely
the main prize or Wahlgreen trophy fol
the winner in an. endurance run from
Denver to the City Of Mexico there will
be about a score OF trophies; in place OF
one event there will be practically q
dozen.
The Wahlgreen trophy as originally in.
tended will be awarded the car making the
best record from Denver to the City OF
Mexico in an endurance and reliability tour
AlouB NHG ilhtS VI lnV 1lNQoSh GOllNcbtt WAhh
such notifications as the character Of the
country traversed make necessary.
There will be a trophy for the car max
ing the best endurance and reliability
showing from Denver to San Antonio, anC
another for the car making the bes
showing In endurance and reliability from
San Antonio to the city Of Mexico.
A trophy VIII be Offered for a rac'
between the City of Mexico and SaI
Antonio and cups for winners of loco
Texas races and endurance contests from
Fort Worth. III Paso, Eagle Pass, Amarillo
Houston, Dallas. and other points al
scheduled to reach San Antonio at the sam,
time or on the day when the contestants il
the big events arrive. Awards will be mad
In gasoline economy tests and also To-
the best tire showing.
A control of one or more days will b,
established In san Antonio, during which
time there will be receptions, track race
and similar events. There may be a depart
ment for motorcycles In the program, bu
this is yet to be determined.
The Individual owner as well as thu
manufacturer viii have an equal chane'
in the various events and anyone VIII,
cannot find a class or a department fitte'
according to his ideas will indeed be hare
70 please.
Monster Auto show.
UpoE the arrival of the contestants ii
the city 81 Mexico will be held a monste
automobile show at which the contestinl
cars and other American models will b
Displays cd. OF course, tho Americans viii
come IN for more than their share o
recognition in the festivities Incident to tn,
centennial celebration.
senior Andres Cara Gslan. who ha
hung up a $i,Oo cash purse for the WHINE
Of the san Antonio-Mexieo race. has tn
following TO say concerning the coming
Important events;
Although there are now over 5000 car
in Mexico. the field is yet comparative,
unworked, Attention thus far has beeI
only paid - the city region where tn
motor car q but a luxury. It is in tn
great ranch and farm region where tn
need OF the quick transportation afforde.
BY a motor car Is felt. Miles OF plain
stretch in many sections where the goin
Is like asphalt, and the good roads move
ment is gathering force. The American