The Washington times., 1911-05-23
INDIANAPOLIS RACE
TO Be GREATEST OF
MOTOR CAR EVENTS
Forty-six of Speediest Ma
chimes to Seek Big
Purse.
ARRANGEMENTS ON
MAMMOTH SCALE
SeVenty-fve Thousand Expected to
See Famous Drivers
Show Skill.
By HARRY WARD.

One week from today the greatest
automobile race in the history of the
sport will be run on the Indianapolis
Speedway. Forty-six of the speediest
cars in America and Europe, piloted by
the worlds greatest drivers, have been
nominated to try for the $4,000 purse
that will go to the winner.
From a conservative estimate, based
on the present demand for tickets, the
Speedway management predicts that at
least 1900 people will watch the run
ming of the 500-mile event. There is al
most three-Quarters of a mile Of solid
stands to accommodate the thousands
of motorists who will journey to the
Indiana capital to witness the big race.
Big Parking Space.
In addition to this, more than 200
acres of ground have been prepared to
park the cars of visiting motorists, and
arranged so that the occupants Of the
park cars may view the race.
The race will start at 10 o'clock, and
the gates will be opened AT $50 g. m.
The trains and traction cars will begin
service to the grounds at 6 o'clock.
Eastern racing spectators have for
many years foregone the pleasure Of a
nights sleep before the Vanderbilt and
spent the night at the course. While
the 500-mile race does not start at day
break, 1t is probable that long before
old Sol pokes his rays over the horizon,
fans will be in line waiting the opening
Of the gates to gain points OF vantage
in the free stands.
How to Score Event
One Of the perplexing problems that
had to be solved by the Speedway man
agement in preparing for the big race
was the scoring of the event. When the
plans were laid it was thought that
forty cars would be big estimate, and
while there is much qualification in the
size of the list of forty-six cars which
have been drawn to the Hoosier oval by
the lure Of purse now exceeding $780, OOO,
with more side purses or prizes prom
ised, a number of perpleXing problems
have thereby arisen.
One hundred men will be employed on
the day of the race to keep official rec
ord of the standing of the competitors
and to keep the vast throng informed
on their positions Four adding ma
chimes, two dictaPhones, a horograph,
four big scoreboards, each over one hun
bred feet in length, opposite all the
stands, and the telephone system will
be used in the plan.
The winners of the Four Leaf Glover
Sociability Run will receive their tro-
phies Friday night at the country homo
of the Automobile Club of Washington.
The presentations Will be mace Dy CON-
missioner Cuno H Rudolph, who is
member of the club. Commissioners
Johnston and Judson also have prom
ised to be present The run was the
most successful event ever given by
the club, and 1t is expected Commission
er Rudolph will have something to say
regarding the contest
Ted" S. Johnston, captain of the Au-
tomobile Club, and chairman of the
automobile carnival committee, has
called a meeting tomorrow morning at
10 o'clock at the Buick warehouse on
Seventeenth street. Plans for the car
nival and hill climb that will form
part of the entertainment of the several
hundred motorists who will be here for
the start of the Glidden tour. will be
discussed.
The Overland Washington Motor
Company reports the sale of Overland
touring cars to General Thomas, .. s.
A., and w. H. Bradley, and an Over
land roadster to DR.. Emmons.
Recent purchasers of EMF cars in
clude Sebastian Aman. James T. Tate,
and NJ. S. Rich.