The Washington times., 1911-01-16
CIRCUIT IS NEEDED
FOR RACING EVENTS
Big Manufacturer Believes
Such Arrangement Would
Benefit All Concerned.
By HARRY WARD.

That automobile sport in this coun-
try is in need of a national racing
circuit is the firm conviction of A.
r. Pardington, second vice president
of the Long Island motor parkway,
and a veteran follower of automobile
sports in this country. Commenting
on this need Mr.. Pardington says:
The motor racing season just clos
ed has demonstrated several things
Among them is the need OF a regular
racing circuit regulated by the ma
tional controlling body, the American
Automobile Association. From coast
to coast the sport has been most en-
Enthusiastically patronized by the man
ufacturer. the public and by promot-
ers of track and road contests The
time seems ripe for the organization
of national circuit which will pro-
Vide sport in all parts of the country
at seasonable, periods. Conflict OF
dates. although infrequent and ap-
parently not preventable, under ex-
listing conditions, would be entirely
eliminated and the non-appearance
Of contestants would no longer re-
quire TO be excused because OF over
tapping dates.
All Contests Included.
Included in this proposed circuit
would be regularly licensed one-mile
tracks, specially constructed motor
dromes and speedways, road contests
and hill climbs. An equitable assign
ment of dates could be made, allow
ing ample time for loading, shipping,
unloading and tuning up, after one
date and in advance of the other.
cal and helpful naturally would re-
suit. Racing, under the national cir
cult idea, would also make II possible
to have uniformity in the enforce
ment of the contest rules.
"One fault with our general scheme
of motor car racing has been a fail
ure to introduce more of the personal
element of the drivers. How long
after this CIRCUIT, had been on the
road do you think it would take to
have nearly every sport-loving per-
son studying the daily papers to see
Johnny Athens or Joe Dawson's
score. Harry Grants wins, and
admirers. Bert Dingley has a host
of friends on the coast and Joe Mat
son has them everywhere. These, and
dozens of others, all good men and
fearless, are the ones who are making
the sport what 1t IS, and are entitled
to the greatest possible credit
Must Consider Driver.
while it is true the manufacturer
must come in for his praise, the COM
bination of car and driver is to be
considered as a unit, In favor OF the
cool l-headed driver, in whose hands
a car either makes good or does not"
Mr.. PardingtOn sums up as follows:
Given a national circuit, with uniform
of all rules; an assignment
of dates arranged in proper sequence; !
certain conditions which all promoters !
must abide by; the Introduction of the |
personal element into the sport; real !
value prizes; publication daily Of the
standing of the caSs and drivers; and |
motor car racing in two years will take |
so firm a hold on the public as to rival |
the interest in baseball today"
There is no doubt that the national |
show to be held in Conven- |
ton Hall during the week of February |
13 will be bigger and better as a re-
suit of the visit of many members of |
the show committee TO the big auto |
mobile show in New York. Members |
Of the committee are more enthusiastic |
since witnessing the accomplishments |
Of others, and the result will likely be |
the greatest exhibition of the kind ever |
in this city. With the idea |
Of getting the newest and best models |
for the Washington show, the dealers i
who attended the New York show spent |
all their spare time in conference with |
the manufacturers, and without eXcep- |
tion secured promises that shipments |
will be made to this city in ample time |
for the show. Each one of the dealers |
will endeaVor to outdo his rivals in the !
excellence of hyis exhibit, and the result |
will be that this city Will see all that |
Is up-to-date in automobile construction. |