The Washington herald., 1913-04-13
FOREIGN ENTRIES FOR
INDIANAPOLIS RACE
At Present Only Two Manufacturers
Will Be Represented, but Others
May Enter Later.

Ihat several Other foreign manulac-
turers in addition to the Sunbeam and
Peugeot cars already entered, will figure
in the third annual 500-mile international
sweepstakes race at the Indianap polls mo-
tor speedway May 30. is the belief Of local
experts who follow the worlds automo-
bile events closely. This belief Is based
on a study Of the Grand Prix race which
will take place in July. This is the great
est automobile event which will be held
in Europe this year. and the entry list
already published reveals the rather
startling information that forty-one prom
inent cars which were entered last year
will not be represented in the 1913 event.
The Fiat, Benz, Mercedes. and others of
the big>European manufacturers have re-
fused to place their cars in the competi-
ton. and such well-known drivers as
Louis Wagner, Victor Hemeny, Percy
Lambert. Rene Hanriot, Helm, Fauquet,
Barriaux. Page. Derry. and De We're are
without mounts. 1t is generally recog-
nized fact that the 50O-mile race which
will be staged at Indianapolis will be the
biggest racing event in the world this
year, and since the Sunbeam and Peugeot
people have turned their favorable atten-
ton upon America, II Is thought that
other European manufacturers may fol-
low suit.
The American manufacturers for tie
most part enter the racing game that
they may submit their cars to the mos.
rigid test possible and to gain the pub
lcity which naturally attaches itself to
the event. They care little or nothing
for the prizes which are hung-up. With
the Europeans it is different. and auto
mobile racing on the continent is more or
less of a commercial proposition in which
the purses are struggled for rather than
the mere honor of winning.
The $4,000 purse which has been hung
up for the Indianapolis 500-mile race is
much larger than the prizes offered for
any European event. and the winning
of this purse would mean much to any
European manufacturer. Therefore, since
the French Grand Prix has failed to
attract their attention. it is believed, and
not without foundation. that an invasion
Of America is being planned, and that
before the entry list closes at Indian
apolis on May 1 several foreign cars will
be slated to start in the great speed
contest. The management of the Indian
apolis Motor Speedway. both through its
home Office and through its foreign rep
resentative has received many inquiries
concerning the coming event. and every
manufacturer in Europe has been sup
piled with entry blanks and is fully
acquainted with the conditions which
will govern the contest.
Sixteen entries have already been re-
ccived for the 5o0-mile race, these entries
including the Sunbeam and Peugeot cars.
It is well known that many other Ameri-
can cars will be represented, and there
is no doubt but that the list will be en-
tirely filed. Within the next two weeks
the speedway will present a scene of
activity, for all Of the drivers have eX-
pressed themselves as being anxious to
get down to hard practice just as soon
as the weather permits. The garages at
the speedway are being put in good
shape to receive the teams, and the
track is in perfect condition. The color
scheme which will be adopted this year,
and which will make it much easier to
distinguish the various cars Is they tear
around the big course, is being enthusi-
astically received by the manufacturers
and drivers. So far the colors selected
are as follows: Stutz, white: Nyberg,
bright red; Keeton. light green; Mason.
dark tan; unknown, gray with white
stripes; Henderson, azure blue; Smada,
dark greens The other cars entered have
not chosen their colors as yet.
Several interesting bits of gossip
concerning the 500-mile race have en-
anated from the Indianapolis automo-
bile show. including the fact that it Is
quite probable that the Apperson peo-
pie, OF hOkOmO, Will enter q tnree-Car
team. The rumor has not been denied,
and it is openly stated that, IL such
is the case, this team will be headed
by Herb Lyle, q veteran driver, who
has been in the game ever since auto
mobile racing was first introduced into
this country. This will be the first
time that the Apperson car has been
represented in a 500-mile event since
the first long race was held at the In
dianapolis Motor Speedway. At that
time the car was forced to abandon the
race, owing to wreck which put it
out Of commission.