The Washington herald., 1913-04-20
Ralph DE PALMA
ENTERSBlGR RACE
Young Italian to Drive a Mer-
Ger Car in Sweepstakes
Event at Indianapolis.
HEADS FACTORY TEAM
History Of Loving Cup Is Told.
Wheeler-Sc hebeler Trophy Is
| Valued at $4,000.

Indianapolis. Ind. April 19-That Ralph
De Palma, the young Italian race driNer.
who Is the idol of American motor en-
thusiasts, will participate in the third an
nual 5O0-mile international sweepstakes
race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
May 80. is now an assured fact. formal
entry Of three Mercer cars, with De
Palma heading the team, having been
received by the speedway Management.
De Palma was in Indianapolis several
weeks ago and engaged garage accom-
modations for the Mercer team, but the
entry blanks were not signed. by the
Mercer Company at that time. The pres
ent entry includes two cara of 4f.9 cubic
inches piston displacement, with bore
and stroke of 4sx6.S-16 inches. and one
car of 1897 cubic inches. with dimens IONS
Of Asks. Caleb Bragg and Ralph De
Palma will pilot the first two. while
Spencer Wishart will handle the third.
All of them carry four cylinders. e
The delay in the entry of the Mercer
team was made necessary by the fact
that the factory engineers frat wanted
to give the A79-inch motors a thorough
try-out before definitely pinning their
faith to them. The largest the Mercer
people have raced heretofore have been
cars of the 1897 classification. This is
the size Hughes piloted to a third in the
Indianapolis race last year. The new
cars are claimed to be much more power
full and faster than the old type, hence
are expected to make a very sensational
showing.
Going After Records.
The foreigners, who have also learned
OF the possibility of smashing records on
the big brick oval at Indianapolis. will
likewise endeavor to demonstrate their
ability to run ahead of Father Time, and
il. after the judges have announced the
winners, the thousands of dollars worth
Of trophies are still left in this country
to decorate the display rooms of Amer
lean manufacturers. it will not be be-
cause OF any wilful neglect of opportu-
nifty on the part OF the foreign drivers.
The 50o-mile automobile race. on a
specially constructed track such as the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. is the very
acme of progress in sport and invention.
1t IL far cry back to the days Of
chivalric tournaments. yet the trophies
which are offered to the winners of the
5o0-mile race have an historic significance
which dates back to the early medieval
period. The Remy Brassard. for in
stance. is only a modern conception of
that brassrd with which Charlemagne
decorated the arms of his soldiers who
distinguished themselves in battle. The
brassard Of Charlemagne was not made
of silver, but 1t was won only after
desperate struggle and the man thus
decorated by the Emperor was honored
above all of his fellows.
There has never been a prize offered
as a reward in any contest more beauti
full than the Wheeler-Schebeler trophy,
the heroic cup of solid silver. which has
an intrinsic value Of more than $4,000.
The loving cup has long figured as a
reward or an expression of regard. yet
there are probably few people who know
that 1t had its origin centuries ago in
little inn in the Black Forest. 1t was
here that the King was wont to stop
during his hunting trips. and it was his
habit to call for cup of wine. which
was served him by the innkeeper's
daughter. According to tradition this girl
invariably held the handle of the cup
while the King was compelled to grasp II
by the bowl. He ordered that thereafter
the cup should be equipped with two
handles. His orders were obeyed, but
when he returned the next year and
called for his cup of wine, the girl held
both handles and again the monarch
was compelled to lift the flagon to his
lips by the bowl Thereupon he ordered
that three handles should be placed upon
the cup, and this, 1t is said, gave rise
to the three-handled loving cup which is
common throughout the world.
Other Trophies Offered.
The Wheeler-Schebeler cup Is not for
practical use. In fact, enough wine could
be placed within its spacious bowl to
satisfy the thirst of 200 kings, figuring
that each king should drink but one pint
of wine.
Another trophy which has a historical
origin is the Prest-o-Lite trophy, solid
silver brick, beautifully engraved with a
replica of the speedway in bas relief
on its diverse side. The first time that
a silver brick was given as a reward
was during the days when Spain was,
by. right of discovery, the possessor of
the Western Hemisphere. The hardy ex-
plorers who dared a thousand dangers
In order to extend the power of the
Spanish monarchy were lured on and on
through the belief that the new land
was rich in silver. Their dream was al
most realized in parts of South America,
and although they did not find the prec-
ious metal Rs plentiful as they expected.
they did discover rich mines of it. and
when they returned to Spain. their ves-
sells laden with the shining metal. 1t was
customary for the monarchss to present
them with a brick which was engraved
with suitable testimonies as to their
valor.