Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-05-18
UBY GEORGE NJ. DICKsoNJ

INDIANAPOLIS. May 17.-(spe-
ciaD-When the first self-propelled
vehicle was made to run-and then
more remarkable. was actually stop
ped at will people laughed. That
laugh soon changed into an ever-ln-
creasing cheer all over the world.
when four indianapolis men pre-
sumed to suggest a speedway upon
which automobiles would be raced at
unheard OF speeds, the same people
smiled knowingly. That smile has
changed into a look of surprise and
admiration.
Such is the progress in Indiana.
whore the first car was built and
where the fastest time with motor
cars has been made.
These four men who conceived the
new worldfamous speedway are Carl
Fisher, A. G. Newly, James Allison
and Frank Wheeler. all connected
with the motor car industry OF In
dianapolis.
In 1909 the first meet was held on
the two-and-a- half mile speedway.
The track was not paved then. At
that time one manufacturer watched
his cars practice and suggested that
the day would come when he could
do mile a minute on the track. Last
year cars Travelled at the rate of 100
and more miles an hour on the speed
way. Such is the rapid growth in the
motor car building.
The speedway has done much for
the entire motor car industry; it has
done much for the particular car
builders who entered their product;
1t has done much for the city of In
dianapolis and. more surprising, II has
eclared dividends for the oWne.S.
lie next contest to be wased Tor
cylinder supremacy Will be helu may
80. At that time American made and
foreign built cars, driven by intrepid
experts, will ''go after" the interna-
tional championship in the 500-mle
race, 200 times around the two-and-
a-half-mile track. The track has been
paved with brick.
Last year the largest paid admis-
sion that ever attended sporting
event in the history of the world, |
PAID real money TO come inside or |
the speed arena and watch the Ma
tional car hang up new worlds rec
ord. Last years race was marked |
by two or three unusual features; the |
two cars that gave the National the |
hardest fight for victory We're two |
European cars, a Mercedes and
Fiat The Nationals actual running |
time was S1.72 miles per hour. The |
Mercedes, driven by Ralph de Palma. |
made a marvellous race, going out in
a dramatic fashion that brought sighs
of regret from every one just as the
worthy pilot was nearing the end of
the terrific run.
Joe Dawson, an Indianapolis boy,
drove the National to victory last year
and the year before that in the first
5 50O-mile race. Ray Harmon, another
indianapolis boy, drove the Marmon
Wasp" to victory. Harmon's elapsed
time average was 74.61 miles per
hour.
Who will win this year is matter
that even the most skilled "railbirds"
hesitate to predict. The record, as
now hung up is fast; some of the
foreign entries are puzzlers as no one
knows just what they are capable of;
some of the American made cars may
spring some surprises and the Hoos-
iers are eager that the record be
kept at home.
The speedway has had a practical
benefit, furnishing an exhiliarating
sport and gala holiday carnival. 1t
has been great manufacturing ad-
junct. The manufacturer who can put
his craft through miles OF sustained
terrific speed. and then makes an
analysis of his car every part of it,
can learn a great deal. This Is prov
IN true by the fact that when the
rack was first built. the cars could
not produce nearly as great speed as
now; were not as reliable; were not
rs sure under every emergency as
now. race is white heat test upon |
svery ounce of power and every fiber I
If strength that furnishes the public
Is unimpeachable guarantee of the
merits Of the car. Tho public sees
n a perfectly fair contest just what
he various cars can do. and this is
he judgment of actual tests. Tour
ng is not nearly as hard a test on
cars makeup" as the 500-mile
ace. In 1911 alone, National cars
aced a total distance greater than
vice across the United States. The ,,
peedway has caused the world to
.now more about the beautiful city /,
f Indianapolis. 1t has caused the =
automobile dealers all over the coun-
ry to come to Indianapolis automo-
,ile factories for their product in !
tead of going to Detroit. 1t has a
aused a general quickenlng Of civic v
ride and educated the world of the O
many superior features Of Indianapo- II