The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-29
DeP Palma Is
 FavOrite Of
 Motor Fans

Indianapolis May 29-Although the distinguished foreign drivers are cen ters of attraction at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Ralph DePalma, the young Itadian-Anerican who won the hearts Of all motor fans last year is yet standing high in public regard. DePalma is working consistently to prepare himself for the 300 mile race which will be held at the Speedway on May 30, and whenever he ventures on the track in his yellow Mercer car, the crowds which fill the grand stand cheer him with vigor that is rennirl- fscent of last year, when after having his engine break down as the daring driver was on his last lap he att tempted to push his big Mercedes across the goal At that time DePal- ma became an established favorite, and his present attempt to retrieve the fortune he lost by not being able to finish the 1912 race will be watched with keen interest
 DePaIma by instinct is a scientific race driver. He possesses those quail ties which best fit him for the hazard ous cancer he has mapped out for him. self. He has unlimited nerve and accidents cannot cause him to faIter. When injured at Milwaukee last year his condition was so grave that it was feared he could never race again But owing to the fact that DePalzna does
  and that he is in prime physical con- dition all the time, he rallied from the shock, and his first thought was as to whether he would be able to se- cure suitable mount for the race he has now entered. On the other hand, he is not foolhardy, but knows how to use the brains with which he has been pIentfuI1y endowed.
 There are many people who were filled with wonder as they watched DePaIma practfcing this year. They naturally expected him to go on the track every day and attempt to break all standing records While there is no man in the racing game who likes to break records better than DePalna, he does not believe in doing so unless 1t is an event which Is officially timed During his early days of training he that time he was watching his car and figuring just how the best results could be obtained Every stroke Of the ptstons had a meaning for DePal- ma, and every chug Of the exhaust told him just how things were going act1y how much gasoline was consum- ed and how the car was balanced. His tires we're also given a large share of attention, and when, after a, few laps, the car was taken into the gar age, DePaIma and his assistants held a GO1SQICaIlOn ana a1 ILo 0S4SCtS -bWSH0 remedied
 He Is now ready for the 500 mile race, and is full of confidence De-. Palma. is not given to talk, nor can 1t be said that he has ever uttered a word about himself which was not honest and conservative opinion. When he says that he feels he has a. good clance0f winning, that statement is based h1pon his own knowledge of what his car can do. He has been watching the practice for weeks. He knows the other cars almost as well as their own drivers know them, but still he is not afraid
 '~This 500 mile race on May S0th, = DePa1ma said recently will undoubt- ed1y be the greatest the world has ever known The list of cans which will start Is formidable It brings together the best that Europe and America can place on the race course. The contest will be a, real speed battle from beginning to end Every inch of ground Will be hard fought. The lirn- itatfon1 of piston displacement to a maximum of 450 cubic inches will make the race more closely contested than any of the previous 500 mile races have been, and the people will witness the prettieat contest in the history of automobile racing. I am out to win, to uphold the racing hon. or of America if can. I am an Bta1- fact that I am an American, and un- I will be the first to cross the tape