Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-05-29
RALPH DE- Palma
EXPECTS TO WIN
PEERLESS fRENCHMAN AND HIS
YELLOW CAR ATTRACT
ATTENTION.
Bic race ON TOMORROW
VIII be- Greatest Auto Speed Event
Ever known. Best Cars Of
Europe and America.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, May 2S.-
Especial Although the distinguish
ed foreign drivers are centers Of at
traction at the indianapolis Motor
Speedway. Ralph DePalma the young
Italian American who won the hearts
Of all motor fans last year still
stands high I'm public regard. De
Palma Is working consistently 10
prepare himself for the SOC mile race
which viii he held at the Speedway
May 80, and whenever he ventures on
the track IN his yellow Mercer car
the crowds which fiji the grand
stands cheer him with n Vigor that
is reminiscent Of last year, when aft
er having his engine break down ms
the daring driver was on his last lap
he attempted to push his big Mercc-
des across the goal. At that time
DePalma became an established fav-
orite, and his present attempt 10 re-
trieve the fortune he lost by not be-
ing able to finish the 1872 race will
be watched with keen interest
DePalma is by instinct scientific
race driver He possesses those
qualities which best fit him for the
hazardous career he has mapped out
for himself He has unlimited nerve,
and accidents cannot cause him to
falter. When injured at Milwaukee
last year his condition was go grave
that it was feared he could never
race again. But owing TO the fact
that Depalma does not know the
meaning OF dissipation and that he
is in prime physical condition all the
time, he rallied from the shock and
his first thought was whether he
would be able TO secure n suitable
mount for the race he has now en-
tered. on the other hand, he Is not
fool hardy, but knows how to use the
brains with which he has been plen-
tifully endowed.
There were many people who were
filled with wonder as they watched
DePalma practiclng this year. They
naturally expected him to go on tho
track every day and attempt 10 break
all standing records. While there is
no man in the racing game who likes
to break records better than De-
Palma, he does not believe In doing
so unless 1t Is in an event which is
officially timed. During his early
days Of training he drove slowly, but
every moment OF that time he was
watching his car and figuring inst
how the best results could be OBJ
tanned. Every stroke of the pistons
had meaning for DePalma. and ev-
cry chng of the exhaust told him lust
how things We're going with his ma
chinery. He learned exactly how
much gasoline was consumed and
how the car was balanced. His tires
were also given a large share Of at
tention and when. after a few laps,
the car was taken into the garage,
DePalma and his assistants held
and all defects were
rem edied.
He is now ready for the 500 mile
race, and is fun of confidence. De-
Palma is not given to talk. nor can
1t he 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
n good chance OF winning, that state
ment is based upon his own knowl-
edge 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,
bat ett11 l,n ic Opt ufroil
This 500 mile race on May 30,"
DePalma said recently will un-
be the greatest the world
has ever known The list Of cars
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 limitation of the piston
to a maximum Of $50
closely contested than any Of the
previous 500 mile races have been.
and the people will witness the pret-
tiest contest in rle history Of auto
mobile racing. I am out - win. to
UNFOLD the racing honor of America
II / can. | am an Italian by blood,
but ! am proud Of the fact that am
an American, and unless the unfor-
seen happens, ! believe | will be the
first to cross the tape"