New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-15
TO RENEW ELG|N RACES
Western Enthusiasts Will Run
Two Big Road Contests.
WILL USE SPEEDWAY LIMIT
Exclusion of 600-Inch Cars
Expected to Bring Larger
Number of Entries.

In spite Of the many predictions that
automobile racing has gone out OF favor.
there Is every indication that next year
will bring much activity in this line and
not a few who are conversant with the
plans being made believe that 1918 will
outrank 1912 in this respect The Speed
way race at Indianapolis is OF course. a
fixture for Memorial Day. and 1t is now
announced that the Elgn road races are
again assured The announcement re-
garding the Elgin races was made in
Chicago a few days ago and 1t aroused
enthusiasm.
Some important changes in the con-
duct OF the EIgin contests have been de-
cided upon, notably that of cutting down
the number Of classes. Two races only
Will be staged, one for each day Of the
two-day carnival. II Is not unlikely that
the famous Cobe trophy will be turned
over to the promoting body, and Ira NJ.
Cobe, the donor OF the trophy, offers TO
hang up a substantial cash trophy for the
driver making the fastest lap in each
race.
a piston displacement OF 300 inches and
less. which will take In cars up to about
the size Of the Mercer. The second days
event will be for cars OF piston dis
placement Of $50 cubic inches and less. the
same limit as has been placed on the 800
mile race oil the Indianapolis speedway.
This will permit competition Of nearly
every make Of American cars ard VIII
shut out racing creations, like the big
Fiat and Benz, which. II anything. have
had a bad effect on the entry list, scar
ing out American makers. whose normally
powered cars were at disadvantage
when In such competition. De Palma's
Mercedes will be eligible. for the cham
pion OF 1912 will have new cylinders put
on. which will bring the car within the
limit.
An innovation is 10 be tried in making
both races at the same distance-395 miles.
Heretofore all promoters have apparently
felt II necessary to humor the little cars
and have scheduled races over shorter
distances than the big care have been
asked to go. Now Il is felt that the little
fellows are sturdy enough 10 go the route.
and in order that comparisons may be
made with the larger cars as to speed and
stamina the distances will be the same in
both events. This. 1t is thought Will prove
attractive from the viewpoint OF the maxi
ers OF the small cars. There is no reason,
either, why the majority of the first days
contestants should not enter the second
day, too.
The second day IL Is intended TO again
offer the Elgin National Watch Company
trophy, now held by De Palma and won in
the past by Zengel in A National and Null
ford In a Lozier. provided an agreement
can be made with the Chicago Motor Cluo'
TO which the cup has been decided.
That there will be entries made at least
one private owner is assured. Z. c. (
terson, who tried 10 import the PeuscotS
last summer, has pledged himself TO make
a nomination. This followed the pledge
made by David Beecroft, who guaranteed
the offering OF a trophy for private own
ers. II is said that Mr.. Patterson. who is
a New Yorker. will make every effort to
import an English Sunbeam, which made
so sensational record In European
events this last summer. II is expected
there will be several other owners also
who will become interested.