New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-26
AUTO NEWS OF THE DAY
Touring Club Opposed to Racing
on Circular Dirt Tracks.
MAY ASK FOR LEGISLATION
Benz Gar Which Won Many
Great Races To Be Driven
in Big Fall Fixtures.

The Touring Club OF America has issued
statement concerning automobile racing
on circular dirt tracks. spropos Of the re-
cent disaster at Syracuse, when ten spscta-
tors we're killed by the loss OF control Of
a racing car The statement says:
That a strong sentiment exists not only
IN New York State. but throughout the
country. against automobile racing on cir
cular tracks has been brought clearly be-
fore the Touring Club 81 America during
the last week by the large number Of pro-
tests received against the evils OF such
contests
In several instances the members do not
hesitate 10 lay many Of the evils Of ex-
cessive speeding on the public highways
10 a certain form OF speed mania occa-
stoned by the excitement Of track contests.
IL has been pointed out, moreover, that
on many occasions these sporting events
have been engineered chiefly by local pro-
moters, who have obtained the aid OF sew
eral small manufacturers 10 take part in
the contest as a means Of adding TO the
publicity OF their cars.
In addition, the demand has been boldly
expressed in many quarters that the tins
ing on dirt tracks. which were originally
intended for horse racing. Indeed, some OF
the leading opponents 81 automobile rae
ing have expressed 70 the officials OF the
Touring Club the possibility Of taking leg
isstive action against such contests.
The Touring Club OF America has gone
on record ever since It's inception as an
advocate OF sane and safe driving. That
track racing has outlivsd It's usefulness
was clearly shown early in the season.
when many Of the leading manufacturers
publicly announced that they would have
nothing more 70 DO with the racing game
The Touring Club has oeen successful n
It's efforts 20 make automobile touring more
popular and 10 promote improved highways
and now that the membership Is protesting
as a body against track racing tre-
mendous influence is being felt throughout
the United States which will probably re-
fleet in legislation 70 protect the public
against the needless loss Of life In con-
nection with high-speed racing events"
Automobile engineers have steadfastiy
held 70 the theory that no car can be built
70 withstand repeatedly the terrific, abnor-
NAL strain Of long distance races at light
ming speed. on the ground that the crystalli-
zation OF the steel would be so great as -
make it practically impossible for csr.
70 stand UP any length Of time as far AZ
efficient service is concerned
IL was mainly for this reason that nearly
all racing cars have been newly built each
season With the view OF proving that u
is not always true in practice the most
severe and racldng test ever given an auto
mobile will bs sponsored by the Benz Auto
Import Company OF America, when rs
chief entry OF the team OF three in the
coming Grand Prix race In Savannah will
be the same car. then driven by David
Bruce Brown, that finished irst in this
famous classic last year. just second
ahead Of another Benz piloted by the
French driver Hemery.
, The decision to defend the worlds cham
pionship this year with this ar as the
chief contender was reached last week by
Manager Jesse FroehIich, Of the Benz team.
whose main object is 70 snow beyond All
neradventure of a doubt Just what the real
amount OF extraordinary strain an auto
mobile can stand and still make good. Inis
car started it's victorious career in lsO',
when Hemery won the memorable race
from Moscow 70 81. Petersburg. The con-
ditlon Of the course can be Judged when
the fastest average time was only thirty
FIVE miles an hour
Charles Y knight. inventor Of the silent
Knight internal combustion sasolene en-
gtne was the guest last night at dinner
M the New York Athletic Club given ny
the lessees Of his patent In America MI.
( knight arrived IN New York on Saturday
/ on the Campania. and will remain in this
/ country about ten days.
Horace De Lisser, OF the United States
Motor Company, represented the Columbia
and Stoddard- Dayton cars, for which the
Knight motor has been adopted. The r.
| p Stearns company. the other American
! lessee, was represented by W. A Lesser
/ New York manager. and other company
| officials Joseph f. q. Ryan was me
postmaster. and called on p. e Lonas.
who looks after Mr. knights patent in
| terests in this country L. p. Kilbourns.
| Mr.. knights partner. also spoke
Mr. Knight. who was once Chicago
newspaper man and whose invention was
rejected by American automobile makers.
only 10 be taken up by the European
makers. said:
since the Knight motor Was introduced
| in Europe more than two years ago IL
/ has been adopted by the leading autorno-
/ bile manufacturers in that country IN
! Guiding the Daimler. Mercedes Panhard'
Minerva. Rover. Sigma, OF Switzerland
/ and others.
AT present there are eight thousand
| Knight engines in the European cars In
use We have had applications from
seventy-1ve other European manufactures
! for licenses since the motor was adopted
! bv the Leading makers.
! The reception OF the knight motor In
| America has been so overwhelming that
orr licensees here-the Columbia, Stearns
/ and Stoddard- Dayton-requested me 20 re-
/ turn TO America 20 devise some method OF
| increased production 10 keep up with the
orders There will be only limited num-
| Der OF licenses granted in the United
States. under an agreement with our for
eign and American licensees"
Mr.. knight will lecture at the Automo-
F, bile club OF America tonight and then
start West for other lectures.