The Washington herald., 1913-02-03
COMING RACES
FOCUS ATTENTION
Daredevil Auto Drivers Are Superin.
tending the Construction of
Fast Cars.

Indianapolis, Ind, Feb. 1.-There is a
buzz of excitement in automobile racing
circles here. the rumor being current
that Ray Harroun. who. driving a Mar
mon car. won the first annual 5Oo-mile
international sweepstakes race at the In
dianapolis motor speedway in 1911, is sup
erintending the construction of another
Marmon. which Will be entered in the
5m-mile classic to be staged at the
speedway Memorial Day. So far, officials
OF the Marmon Company have not con-
hrmed the rumor, but those who claim
to be on the inside assert that mysteri-
Gus events are transpiring at the Mar
mon factory. Ray Harroun's racing car
room at the factory is said TO have been
closed to everybody, and this is gener-
ally accepted as meaning that the Mar
mon company is planning a surprise
which will be of great interest to fol-
lowers OF the racing game.
Ever since Harroun won the big event
In 1911, with his 'rMarmon Wasp" en-
thusiasts have wanted to see a car of
the same make in action again, and IL
present reports are true, their ambition
Will be gratified on May 30. The en-
trance of Marmon will add special in
terest TO the race since previous win
ner will then be matched against the
other cars entered. There is also a keen
rivalry between the various Indiana
manufacturers and the entrance of an
other Indiana car in addition to the
Stutz cars and the Nyberg cars already
listed, will give Booster motorists an op-
portunity to see what native cars can do
1t is highly probable that other Indiana
made speed chariots will be tuned I'D and
ready TO start in the long grind on Me-
mortal Day.
(,ngGfn 10
the question Of the driver who will steer
the Marmon provided it is entered this
years. This rs just as much of a mys-
tery as is the little drama which is being
staged behind closed doors at the Mar
mon factory. 1t has been whispered,
however. that Joe Dawson, the daring
young pilot who drove National to vic
tory in the race last year, will be at the
wheel
1t is probable that many private own
ers will enter cars in the big race this
year. Inquiries from many sources are
coming into the Office of the Indian
apolis motor speedway. The rule reducing
the piston displacement from 600 TO $50
cubic inches has made ii possible for
more private owners to enter cars this
year than heretofore. The latest inquiry
along this line has been received from H
p. Woodwork, of the Alma Manufac-
turing Company, or Alma, Mich. This
company Is well known for its trucks,
and 1t has made a few pleasure cars, but
1t is the intention of Mr.. Woodwork to
enter car as an individual. rather than
as representative of the company.
He states that he is building a six
cylinder car with a two-cycle engine and
having 4S7 cubic inches piston displace-
ment. He has been assured that the
Specifications of his car are quite within
the limitations which govern the race
this year. and that his entry would be
welcomed.
Another interesting bit of information
which emanates from the New York
Automobile Show, is that Bob Burman.
the speed King" has entered into ne
gotiations with the Keeton Company, for
a car which he hopes to drive in the
third annual 5oo-mile international sweep
stakes race at Indianapolis. Burman
went to New York from San Diego, Cal,
in order to find car to drive in the
Indianapolis race. and is said to have
taken 4 great fancy to the Keeton car.
However, the absence of Mr.. Keeton,
president of the company, has prevented
a consummation of the deal, but it is not
improbable that an agreement will be
reached. The regular stock car is fitted
by necessity with an So-mile speedo-
meter.
Burman says he will drive the car
providing the company allows him to en-