New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-12
AUTO NEWS Of THE DAY
Proposed British Small Car
Race Fails to Fill.
ONLY AMERICAN ENTRIES
Effort to Force Production of
Cheap Machine Draws Little
Response from Makers.

Failure has met the efforts of the ROYAL
Automobile Club Of Great Britain 10 ar.
range a small car race IN the Isle ~
Man during the coming autumn. Lack
Of entries is the reason advanced. but IL
appears that this should be qualified.
since there was a prospect OF a sufcien,
number of nominations OF American built
cars TO have made the race q success
There was little or no probability, how.
ever, of British manufacturers supporting
the proposition. Tine situation is thus ex.
plaineG by THE Field of London:
The idea underlying the Royal Auto
mobile Clubs proposal was to induce the
design and construction in this country
OF motor cars of a type possible Of be-
ing successfully marketed against the
American runabout. Ii took its birth out
OF the scarce statistics published in the
press last year. going To show that We
We're on the eve OF larg, and compre-
hensive attempt on the part OF American
motor car manufacturers TO food our
market with so-Called twenty horse power
cars. selling al or about $1,000 10 $3.50.
Without knowing very much about the
economic side OF the problem. the club
was induced TO propose a race in the Isle
of Man which would enable the relative
merits and comparative values OF native
and foreign low priced cars 10 be demon
strated. TO DO this two basic conditions
were decided upon. and the proposal
taken TO the council of the Society OF
Motor Manufacturers and Traders. These
conditions we're limitation OF power to
four-cylinder engines OF about three inch
piston diameter and five and one-haN
inch stroke. and price restriction which
brought matters down very near TO the
American runabout line.
The society was willing 20 give the
project n run II its members desired 70
participate. but since II was carly A.
parent that only American entries could
be expected. because there are no British
cars on the market conforming 20 these
conditions. the joint committee appointed
10 report on the prospects At once stipu-
lated for some definite promises OF con
struction and participation from British
manufacturers. We believe that these
have not been forthcoming in any quantity
sufficient 10 satisfy the society.
Whatever view be- adopted regarding
the usefulness Of contest on the line,
set out. We NAV very well question tho
practical wisdom OF the Royai Automobile
club in endeavoriug. Do this way. 10 force
the production of British built cars along
lines primarily dictated not by our oWn.
but by American conditions. IN o1r
opinion the Royal Automobile club in-
own type of competitors on a MARIE,
sufficiently prosperous and busy 10 turn
a deaf ear 20 the conditions involved
We know thai il has always been q
fixed article OF faith with the Royal Auto
mobile clubs technical committee that
it, labors should be devoted toward de-
veopine British motor cars designed
along lines other than those dictated ny
immediate influence o. supply and de-
maud
The condition of the motor car market
clearly suggests that the British manu-
iacturer Is not at present disposed 70
compel. against the American alohs
American lines and 10 hope q induce
him To do so before his material Interests
compelled necessity. and by the simple
eNpedient OF offering him % ract m Nnlch
10 demonstrate his inherent superiorty
surely was foredoomed o failure.
If the demand ior loW-prlced Amer.
can cars continues tO develop lirlns l'i'
". NAV be sure that some native makers
will see the necessity 10 attack TINS MAJ
ket within their own market hen tNo
opportunity 10 demonstrate greater mo
chanical efficiency no doubt VIII 10 a.,
ceptablo and the Royal Automoohe tluo
race become a probable success, wneth''
the Americans compete or not.
Despite the unsettled conditions IN Mex
leo at present, there g. stii healthy
demand for motor cars. This is eV'
den ed bv the fact that tire henderson
Eastern Motors COMPANY of ms cry,
exporters of Henderson cars. shipped 81
touring cars I'M February to their agent
senior \ fredo Ponce Camara, ar Melina'
i'm the STATE of lucatan.
This automobile dealer from inc tropSs
is expecting a good season and intenas
10 come To the United STATE. FOR W
.0p-mile race ar Indianapolis. May - IN
which Henderson car viii 10 driven o.
Billy" Knipper While visiting m" a.
tory Senor Camaia stated That no w
iieyed Z would not be long until nuslnsi,,
conditions i'm every line. IN Mexico. wou,'
again lie on a solid footing. and iha' .,r
revolutions OF the past two Ncaf- ""
soon give way 10 a long period ot peace