New-York tribune., 1912-01-28
AUTOS IN BIG ICE RACE
Thousands See Novel Six-Mile
Contest at Irvington- -on-Hudson.
FRED K0ENIG THE VICTOR
Enthusiasts Want TO Bring About
International Meet on River
Before the Thaw Comes.

Thousands Of persons, in peril OF their
lives, swarmed near the finish line OF the
first great race on the Ice at lrvington- on
the Hudson yesterday afternoon 10 watch
the swaying cars loom out of a snow cloud
up the river, roar past and vanish in an
other snow cloud TO the south
7 Enthusiasts grew so enthusiastic over the
sight that they vowed a great vow TO do
all In their power TO bring about an inter-
national race on tho river before the ice
broke up-a race that would rival in brill
fancy tho world renowned Vanderbilt Cup
and Savannah races. The speed contests on
the level beaches OF Florida were Ike the
automobile show at the Garden compared
10 these ice races. they said.
Fred Koenig, driving his monster Mer-
cedes until his hands were nearly frozen 10
the steering wheel, was victor in yester-
DAYS race. which was six miles in length.
II was figured that his average speed over
the ice was in the neighborhood of sixty
five miles an hour. Remembering the times
when he was forced to slow down in taking
tho slippery curves 1t Is safe TO say that
on the straight stretches he reached
speed seldom equalled in tho races where
records are broken. Not far behind HIM
came Carl Mulhal, in n Hudson. and
National car held down the third place
under the guidance OF Frank Free.
II was opposite the home OF John ID.
Archbold. the new president OF the Stand
ard OH Company, that the starting line
was laid. Growing and snortng, the big
cars were led up TO the tape. Il was seen
that the fore wheels OF Mulhall's car were
trihe uncertain on the smooth surface.
and time was taken out until chains could
be put on them. This accomplished, the
starter raised his pistol. At its crack the
machines leaped forward, the dry snow NY
ing from their tires like dust from horses
hoofs. Tarrytown was left behind in less
than a minute.
The curves called forth all the skill OF the
drivers The skidding machines raised a
binding cloud of snow that blocked the
vision Of the spectators along the course
and covered the flying cars with thick.
frosty blanket Several OF the contestants
were compelled to stop altogether once or.
twice during the journey TO wipe the Ice
crust from their goggles and clear the radi-
ators OF the snow kicked up by the men in
front.
Fires OF railroad ties, which the oniooh-
ers had started at frequent intervals with
q view to fighting off the chill blasts OF
the freshening wind. helped the drivers
materially in sticking to the course. AS
the cars spread out near the finish the
cheering OF the crowds that bovered dan"
serously near the right Of way could be
heard easily above the roar of the engines
Koenig, coming to stop almost opposite
the home OF Miss Helen Gould, was I'm"
medIately surrounded by an admirins
throng. which nearly had to help him re-
move his cramued hands from the wheel
II was then that the idea of appealing to
tho automobile clubs to call together field
NJ famous drivers for race on the Ice was
voiced
Another contest was race between an
automobile, an Ice yacht and horse, the
horse being granted reasonable time
handicap. Peter Walton's PAGER Brownie,
under these conditions, was pitted against
Fred Koenigs Mercedes and Fred Books
iceboat Belle. on this occasion the victor
of the big race was worsted, meeting with
angina trouble while the result was still in
doubt. The prize went to the iceboat, with
the horse a fair second.
The SPECTATORS were almost unanimous In
saving they would like TO see few more
such races.