The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-28

saFaaHdH. ga, november 2i--"hen
white streak flashed by the judges
stand to-day at the finish OF the sew
enth Vanderbilt cup race. tho American
automobile world hailed Ralph * Null
ford. driver or a Lozier car, as a new
champion.
Not only had Milford lowered all
previous Vanderbilt records. lie also
surpassed the San Monica performance
OF Harvey IIerrick, ia covering zoe
miles at an average OF 1853 miles an
hour. Al that he was pushed to make
the time by Ralph De Palma. the bril-
liant driver OF his French Mercedes.
De Palma finished Just little more
than two minutes behind the winner.
and eight minutes in advance OF the
other Mercedes. driven by Frank Spen
Ger WIshart
Only six of the cars to start were
In at the finish. and much to the sur
prise OF every one. such stars as Bob
thurman. tho Speed King" and David
Bruce-Brown. winner OF last years
grand prize race. were among those
forced to drop out through the defec-
t!on Of their racing machines.
The race was run and won without
the exaction OF the usual toll OF human
life. Among the numerous accidents
which befell contestants, 10 the detri-
lnent of their chances to POSSESS the
coveted trophy. only ono imperiled life
and limb A rear wheel OF Bruce
Browns Flat car New off at the head
OF the long Ferguson Avenue stretch
after turn had been taken al slow
speed. Bruce-Brown and his mcchan-
tcian escaped nnhurt, to live and race
another day.
Victim of Hard Luck.
Bob Burman was the victim of down
right hard luck. sustaining one Of the
most unique accidents TO his ma chine,
"A Marmon. In the history OF automo-
bile racing. He had Just completed the
seventh lap In record time. ten min
utes and q half behind Milford, the
leader, when loose stone few UP and
struck the gasolene tank connection
with sufficient force to destroy any
further usefulness. Burman examined
the damaged tube for a moment and
abandoned the race. realizing that he
would be hopelessly distanced before
he could make repairs. Joe Cyrus
Patchke. driver OF the other Marmon
entry, also was running n grand race
when an air pump gave way during
the ninth lap and forced him out of the
contest, Joe Matson took his Fiat
back to camp when 4 leaky radiator
threatened the destruction of his en-
glnes by fire.
Ideal conditions prevailed during the
running of the race. The air was just
cool enough to make overcoats com
Portable. The oiled roadway glistened
hard and smooth In the autumn sun
light. and with the way kept clear by
a Gordon of State troops drawn around
the course. the drivers found II easy
to let their cars out to the limit a
high banked turned, just above the
grandstand. made It possible for the
racers to run in front OF the specta-
tors at full speed. and pass the grand
stand at a seventy mile-an- hour clip.
Dozens of tires were burned up by
the heat generated by the friction of
such great speed.
Milford said tonight that he owed
his victory TO his good fortune IN hav-
Ing to make only one tire change as
much as to the speed OF his car. d,
Palma was less fortunate, being COM
PEELED to stop four times for new tires,
and at the finish he was running prac-
tically on the rim Of one OF the rear
wheels.
De Palma took the lead at the be-
ginning and held it for four laps Then
Milford passed him and was never
headed. The formers tire troubles be-
gan Immediately after nc had made
two record rounds on the second and
third laps. which he made in 1914 and
1916, respectively. He was leading
milford by forty-three seconds at the
end of the fourth lap. On the next
round Milford was one minute and
forty seconds ahead of him. Then he
gradually pulled away, while De Palma
was worrying with his tires, until he
was about six minutes ahead in the
eighth. De Palma spurted desperately
TO regain the lost ground. some Of his
sensational turns near the grandstand
exciting the wonder OF the crowd.
De Palma In vain Pursuit..
At the beginning of the seventeenth
and last lap milford was but n scant
two minutes ahead. and the spectators
arose and cheered him as he dashed
by for the finish. Like an angry wolf
on his trail, De Palma's beautiful blue
gray Mercedes swerved around the
chrse at a seventy five-mile clip and
few down the straightaway In vain
pursuit.
mo. 8 tMulford). in the stretch
cried the announcer through his mega
phone. and the crowd rose as one and
smtrained eager eyes toward the spot
half mile away. where the victor
would first come into sight. A roar
of Niagara.lilse proportions rent the
tr,,a q. .T--,--