The Washington times., 1911-01-29
Buick After Grand Prize,
Over Which There Is Great
1911 Interest.
FOREIGN BUILDERS
BEGINNING TO STIR
Two Years Since Last Races in
Franc and Many Changes
Will Be Noted.
By HARRY WARD.

That an American-built automobile
will be sent to France to compete in the
grand prize race on June % is one of
The possibilities of the 1911 racing sea-
Son. The car in question is the Buick
The revival of the grand prize event,
coming after a two-years' lay-off, has
created keen interest in Europe France
Is so elated over the prospect of seeing
another big automobile road race that
all kinds of preparations are being
made for the renewal of the classic.
In fact, this interest is so great that
the promoters have decided to strike
out the clause calling for thirty en-
trants to make the race a reality. The
cars are scheduled to sweep over the
Sarthe circuit on Sunday, June 25
The proposed entry of the Buick rae
ing creation has brought out the fact
that Europeans are waking up to the
fact that American cars can travel at
high speed without breaking down. 1t
has been a slow process, because most
OF the continental dealers hold Ameri-
can machines in contempt. They re-
member the freaks that competed for
the grand prize race in the earlier days
Ihey seem to have no idea that such
h,
Stearns, Simplex, and National are
made in this country. They diScredit
the performance of American stock cars
III the races at Savannah, Santa Monica,
iGlsin, and the Vanderbilt Cup race.
However, few European automobile
men are Clear-sighted enough to realize
that the American cars are yearly be-
coming more dangerous competitors.
Since 1907, when the first American
car participated in European road
9utOnnhllp
great progress. If the big Buick racing
car that made such fine showing at
Savannah last fall is sent to France, II
is liable to spring surprise. The rae
Ing game in this country has been NOV
ing forward, while the sport in France
has been at a standStill for several
years. Should an American car win the
great classic, the French makers would
Either Louis Chevrolet, the daring
FrancoSwisS driver, or wild Bob
Burman will pilot the Buick if it is sent
abroad, and either one of them can be
depended on to make every driver in the
contest realize that he has been driving
in real road race.
The automobile dealers are complet-
ing the final details for the annual eX
hibition of cars and accessories to be
held in Convention Hall during the week
of February 13. Various contracts were
awarded this week, including one for
hoisting the cars into the hall. A run
way will be constructed on the east side
of Convention Hall, and the cars Will
be drawn up by means of a donkey en-
gine. Dealers from many towns i'll
Maryland and Virginia are planning to
visit the exhibition. Thursday, February
IL, will be the big day of the show. The
price of admission will be doubled that
day and evening. and invitations will
be extended to many prominent people
TO attend. On Thursday night of show
week the dealers will have banquet
at the Cafe Republique.
J. E. Sheldon, general manager of the
Rambler Automobile Company of Wash
ington who was suspended one year by
the American Automobile Association,
for competing in an unsanctioned auto
mobile meet in Norfolk, Va, last De
cember, claims his suspension is unfair.
He claims a sanction for the event, in
which Barney Oldfield was the star, was
shown him, and he was also given as
suranceS, he says, that the meet would
he conducted under strict y. A. A. rules.
The contest board ruled the race was
improperly conducted, and the conse-
uuence was the entire Norfolk outfit,
including drivers, entrants and promot-
erS, were suspended for one year MT
Sheldon, believing his banishment was
unjust, is endeavoring to have the sus-
pension lifted.
The possibilities of the commercial
FphlCle Tor all SOTlS Vi StlNlCe III lllIo
Ity have been demonstrated to the en-
tire satisfaction of the Standard OIL
Company by the Congressional Garage,
agent for the Wilcox truck. One of
these machines has just finished a dem
onstration for the company, one days
run showing sixty-three miles, during
which the truck delivered thirteen and and
one-half tons of freight, ranging from
a thirty-five-pound package to a 400
pound barrel of oil, This demonstration
of the utility of the power wagon has
awakened the interest of many business
men of this city.
''The recent breaking of the record for
the round trip between Los Angeles and
San Diego, Cal. was a triumph for
Goodvear tires" said F. w. Powers,
MANAGER of the Washington branch of
the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Com
nany. ''The 3O-horsepower Buick, driven
bv Louis Nfkrent. which established
m. new mark, was equipped with Good
wear tires, and they stood up well under
The severe strain of covering 322 miles
of rough and uneven country roaGs.
There was no tire trouble of any sort
throughout the run.