Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-15

sweepstakes; Wilmer Richards,
Motordrome purse; Harry Glenn,
special match race; Houston
Crane, novice race.
For nearly two hours the specta
tors alternately stood and shrieke6
as the races were on, or sat and held
their breath, waiting for another.
When the starting gun was fred from
the announcer's stand It was the sig
nal for the beginning of something
that has automobile racing stood on
its head, the thoroughbreds gasping
for breath ans no equal in tina world
OF sport save in,the GREATNESS tension
of ninth inning batting rally, with
the home team coming from behind.
Staid old sport fans, who hadn't
cheered since Atlanta beat out Mem
phis in 1907 for the Southern base
ball Championship, were upon their
hind legs, waving hats and shrielSing
like college boys.
And the sport was worth II. with
motors OF equal size, with riders OF
equal ability, which good starts, there
was no possibility Of anything but
close races and hair-raising finishes.
Richards Is Star.
Every heat Of every race wEs ex-
citing enough, and there might be
much argument as to the topnotch
thriller of the afternoon. but the
Championship ought surely to go to
the final heat Of the Motordronle
Purse. They worked up to It with
some pretty heats. In the first one
Graves and Lockner rode wheel and
wheel with the former always a lit
tie ahead. In the second. Richards
grabbed the lead in the middle Of the
race and led TO the tape. In the third,
Luther and Swartz could have been
covered by a blanket through most OF
their two-mile Journey.
Then came the final, at Ave miles.
Graves went out IN the front, with
Richards always a few inches behind.
Shiids a thrilling third, and Luther
hopelessly back. Eleven times, in this
order they ciroled the track. faster
than the fastest express train. on
the twelfth and last, Richards began
HIS squirt Inch by inch he closed in
on Graves. With a hundred yards TO
60 they were tied absolutely. Then,
with one fianl burst OF speed, Rich
ards nOsed out Graves and flashed
over the tape, a sensational winner.
That was the supreme moment Of the
day.
Machine in Blaze.
Henry Lewis, the Jinx Kid, fur
nished. the next best thriller. He
pulled X when his machine caught
fire in practice round before ths
meet opened. For half lap he rode
the blazing machine. at a speed SO
great that burning 10 death looked
preferable 10 jumping to his doom.
Finally. selecting a good gravel SPOT
he jumped and landed safely. The
other riders fell on the blazing ma
chine with fire eXtinguishers, and II
was put out before damage was done
If Jock" Mcneil hadn't sprung a
gasoline tank he might have made .
clean sweep. In the finals Of the
Sweepstakes. at five miles, Mcneil
and Richards made q marvellous squirt,
but McNeils machine displayed tire
mendous speed. and Jock" won by
whislCer
In the final match race, Harry
Glenn, OF Atlanta. in his first out on
board track, was a winner over
Lockner and Renel. The Albanian dis
played marvellous gameness and han
died HIS machine like a veteran.
HERE IS SUMMARY.
Novice Race.
One heat only, two m1es-H Crane.
first; R. Lancaster, second Tina.
Atlanta Sweepstakes.
First heat. one mile-Shields, ffrwtz
Graves, second; Swartz. third Tine.
As rs.
Second heat, one mile-RiohardA. nrss4
LOckner, second; Luther. third Time.
AS rs.
Third heat. one mile-Mcegsn nr-sf
Renel, second. Time. s43 la
Final heat, Atlanta Sweepstzksa. dvu
miles-ATcNeil. first: Richards, second;
Shields, third. Time. 1888 2-S. Rsnes die
Motordrone Puruo.
First heat. two Eniles-GrayeM first.
Lookner. second: Lewis, third Time,
1881
second heat, two miles-Rseilards.
first Shields, second; Renel. third.
Third heat. two mtles-Luthsr, first:
Swartz. second. CMcNeii scTaeched
gasoline tank crackedl
Final heat. Motordromo purse, three
miles-Richards. first: Graves. second!
shields, third: Luther, fourth. Time
2.14
Match Race.
one heat only. two miies-Glenn. frst:
Renel. second: Lookner, third Time.
1882