The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-30
RALPH De PALMA
WINS AUTO RACE
Driving a Mercer, He Captures
CODE Trophy at Chicago
Auto Clubs Races.

Elgin. Ill. August 2e.--Fcarlessly
driving over a course where last year
he TWO important races, Ralph
De Palma. plotting a Mercer. Won the
Chicago Automobile Clubs Cobe trophy
here this afternoon.
He covered the 30l miles in hours
81 minutes 90 seconds which was an
average Of Cos miles an hour. cstab-
fishing a track record Joe Dawson, in
"A Delta, finished seven minutes and
fifty-siN seconds behind DE Palma. The
indianapolis driver travelled faster
than the winner. but slow service on
the part of his pitmen cost him the
race.
The Italian driver took the lead in
the thirteenth lap. when Wishart, also
driving Mercer. was forced to slow
down az a result of a spectacular tire
explosion directly in front OF the
grandstand. Dawson also at that time
climbed into second place. while Wis
hart was forced to follow Dawson by
seven seconds.
Wishart was victim of misfortune.
He was the first driver to experience
any trouble, his Mercer throwing a tire
near McQueen's Farm early in the race
and he was forced to make a change.
Repeatedly previous to the thirteenth
lap. Wishart took the lead, only to be
forced to slow up owing to tire trou-
bile. He was finally forced out of the
lap with "a broken spring.
When De Palma finished first. a
throng of spectators brushed aside the
miiitiamen on guard at the track and
surged out upon the course. Efforts
TO force the crowd back failed. Ref
cree Beercroft then decided to award
the remaining places according to the
standing of drivers, awarding William
Chandler, who drove Il Mason, third
money. and Rickenbacher, also driving
Il Mason. fourth.
Harry Endicott had been moving
along in third position for two hours.
but both car and driver finally gave
way under the strain, and he was forced
~ retire shortly before the race end
ca.
The race started at IL o'clock Eight
drivers were at the tape when the sig
nal was given for the grind to begin.
AS De Palma flashed around the first
turn he swept by n balky extending
gate with only an inch to spare. and
| thrilled the crowd with the first mar
| row escape of the meet Later he had
| another close call when his machine
shot off the course into a cornfield, but
was righted and regaincd the track.
the poor condition of the road and
tho necessity for the racers to slow
Gown at all corners handicapped the
drivers nightly.
| Freedom from serious accident mark
| Cyl To-Day race tulpn MulfOru, III
Mason, had been one of the favorites In
the Letting. He led the field for many
iars, but was finally forced to with
draw in the eleventh lap because OF
engine trouble.
| @alford. after abandoning the race,
displayed a cash over his right eye
which was dressed In the hospital tent
He said one Of the front wheels of his
car threw stone which caused the
Injury.
Rickenbacher covered the fastest lap
of the day. He negotiated the course
in seven minutes fiat. For this, he
received n prize of $500.
De Palma. for winning the race, not
only received the Cobe trophy, but also
a cash prize of $3.50. Dawson re-
ccived $500. and Chandler. who finished
third, won $3.50.
To-morrow's race for the Elgin tro.
ply will be over the same course and
covering the same distance. The race
is free-for-all. and fifteen drivers will
lcompete. De Palma was tonight a
: favoritc In to-morrow's race