The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-02
HARBOUR CAUSES EXCITE
MENT

There is a buzz OF excitement ia au-
tomobiie racing circles IN indianapolis.
the raIrnor being current that Kay
Rarroun, who, driving a Marmon car
won the first annual 500-mile interna-
tional sweepstakes race at the indian
apolis Motor Speedway in 1911. IS su-
perintending the construction or an
other Marmon which Will be entered Ia
the 50o-mle classic 10 be STAGED az
the Speedway Memorial Day. So tar'
officials OF the Marmon Company have
not confirmed the rumor, but those
who claim 10 be on the inside assert
that mysterious events are transpiring
at the MarmOn factory. Ray Har-
roun's racing car room at the factory
is sid 70 have been closed TO every
body. and this is generally accepted as
meaning that the Marmon Company is
planning a surprise which viii be or
great interest TO followers II the rae
ing game.
Ever since HarrOun won the big
even in 1911 with his "Marmon Wasp"
enthusiasts 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 80.
The entrance OF Marin n viii add
special intereA 10 the race, since a
against the other cars entered There
is also a keen rivalry between the va
rious Indiana manufacturers and the
entrance OF another Indiana car. in ad-
dition to the stutz cars and the Nyberg
ears already listed. will give H0osier
mo. orIsts an opportunity TO see what
native cars can do. 1t is highly prob
able that other Indiana-made speed
chariotg will be tuned up and ready 10
start In the long grind on Memorial
Day
Gossip Is now concerning itself with
the question Of the driver. who Will
steer the Marmon. provided IL is en-
tered this year. This is just as much
OF a mystery as is the little drama
which IS being staged behind closed
doors at the harmon factory. 1t has
been whispered however. that Joe
Dawson, the daring young pilot who
drove a National TO victory in the race
last year will be at the wheel.
1t is probable that many private
owners will enter cars in the big race
this year. Inquiries from many
sources are coming into the office IF
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The
rule reducing the piston displacement
from 500 TO $50 cubic inches has made
it possible for more private owners to
enter cars this year than heretofore.
The latest inquiry along this line has
been received from II. p. Woodwork
of the Alma Manufacturing Company,
OF Alma. Mich. This company is well
Known for its trucks, and il has made
a few pleasure cars. but it is the In
tention of Mr.. Woodwork to enter a
car as an individual. rather than as
representative of the company.
Wtr< Wheels Here
One OF the exhibits which excites
special interest at the automobile
shows this year-did at Madison Square
Garden Show. in New York, and at
the Philadelphia Show, and Is being
talked about in Chicago and Rich
mond--is the wire wheel equipment on
seven passenger Limousine in the
Stevens-Duryea display
Wire wheels are very much lighter
than the wooden artillery type of run
ming gear, but have been developed in
such a way that they do not look un-
subtantial under the largest car body;
in fact, they add distinctly to its grace,
as they do to its comfort With
Houk quick detachable rims, which are
used on the dge-WhitwortE wheels,
every objection that has sometimes
| been raised to them is removed
The advantages of the wire wheel
in tire saving particularly and in su-
perior strength have been proved con-
clusively. The metal radiates the heat
created in running and prevents the dis
Indignation of the tires. which wooden
wheels encourage, because they do not
radiate, but confine the heat in the
steel rims. Carefully kept records
show. it is said. that a tire will give
double the mileage on wire wheel
that il will on wooden one
Wire wheels are special equipment
with the Stevens-Duryea this year 1t
is reported that the largest orders
placed for Stevens-Duryeas at the New
York Show included the extra wheel
equipment, however.