The Washington times., 1911-06-05
POSTPONED ENT Of
GL|DDEN TOUR SAID
TO Be PERMANENT
Makers Thought to Have
Taken Too Scant Interest
in Event.
By HARRY WARD.

The fact that the eighth annual reli-
ability tour for the Glidden trophy, pop
ularly known this year as the Glidder
reciprocity tour, has been postponed to
an indefinite date in the fall, leads to
the belief that the classic event will
be abandoned this year.
The contest board of the American
Automobile Association announces that
the tour was postponed for the reason
that many cars were ineligible TO start
because of non-registration. but the
knowing ones say this is only an excuse
to cover Up the fact that entries were
few ard far between.
In Detroit, the hub of the automobile
industry. the makers have taken only n
lTkewaIm interest iE this years Gid
den. where heretofore they have been
among the first to enter THEN machines.
While a delightful route, stretching
from Washington to Ottawa. Canada,
was laid out for the tour, II offered but
a slight test Of cars ability 10 with
this years Glidden tour was planned
more as a pleasure jaunt than any
thing else.
The fact that the grand prize race
was awarded to Savannah has been
source of satisfaction to motorists gem
orally. The enterprising automobile
club in that progressive City has also
put in a bid for the Vanderbilt CUP
race, but since this event is under the
control OF the American Automobile
Association, there are formalities to be
concluded before it can be said with
certainty that the Vanderbilt will be
run over the Savannah course,
Ths idea that is being put forward is
to hold the two events on succeeding
days, the grand prize to be handled by
:he officials of the Automobile Club Of
America, which will surrender its posi-
ton during the holding o: the Wander
bilt Cup event. the latter TO be run of
under the direction of the contest board
Of the three AS.
Ralph milford. who finished second In
the 5OO-mile race at indianapolis last
week, says the Racing Drivers AS
ISOLATION is going 10 take immediate
steps to prevent inexperienced pilots
handling high-powered cars in big
events like last weeks race. He points
out that most of the accidents which
occurred were directly due 10 the in
experience of some of the drivers, and
had 1t not been for the wonderful skill
shown by some of the old veterans in
tight places, a fearful loss of life would
have resulted.
The Racing Drivers Association is
working with the A. A. A. on a plan
whereby instead of merely issuing regis
tration cards, licenses will be granted
to drivers after most rigid tests, exami-
nations and demonstrations have been
given" continued milford. Drivers will
probably be licensed in three classes
and only drivers holding first-class
licenses will be permitted to drive in the
big national events.
Another recommended ton which the
drivers will make to the Manufactur-
ers' Contest Association and its COM
mittee on rules is one that will limit
In a race between cars capable of rum
ming at speeds ranging from seventy-flve
to 100 miles per hour. 1t Is my opinion
that the entries should be limited to
such a number that If evenly spaced
about the track, the cars should be not
less than five hundred feet apart"