New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-30
His Aeroplane Engine Not
Adapted for Huge
Mercedes Car.
SIX NATIONS STRIVE
FOR SPEED PRIZE
France, with Five Entries in Lists,
Favored to Capture Large Stake
on Track at indianapolis.

on Track at indianapolis.
rFrorn a star Correspondent Of The Tribune
indianapolis, May 2e.-Tucked up for the
night as carefully as though they we're
made OF the most fragile china. the thirty
cars that will race tomorrow for the
International speed championship OF the
world are ready tonight for the test.
Nearly all had final spins this afternoon.
every part has been looked over dozens OF
tines and apparently all arc ready for the
yO-mile test on the brick Speedway.
The drivers. bronzed fellows. who have
FOR the last two weeks regarded hun
bred miles of running with as little con-
Germ as the average motorist would con-
sder a run around the block, disappeared
as quickly as they were satisfied with con-
dltions. Most OF them were reported to
he asleep soon after dark. 1t will be still
dark when they return TO the track to try
10 make certain by final examinations that
nothing unexpected Will interfere with
n cir efforts 10 gain the biggest part OF the
$500 that will be at stake on the out
ccme.
O-QtN SfNSdhlOI DIS INC MlfilNi NV 81
o. Ralph dc Palma. the possessor of the
most persistent hoodoo in the history OF
automobile racing. Early this morning
Ralph notified the management that he
could not possibly start in the race with
any hopo of finishing and that ne pre-
fcrred 10 relinouish his place 10 some one
who might have a chance OF going
IL, foi,
right since he reached the Speedway he
has worked on his Mercedes in the hope
Il at il might finally reach the eXpecta-
tons Of its builders, but without success.
Tho trouble with the car, which is fitted
with an aeroplane motor, was excessive
vibration. and no number OF adjustments
and changes afforded a remedy. Paul
Lacroix, OF New York American repre-
soratlve Of the German concern, reached
here at. II o'clock and endeavored 10 in
duce De Palma TO change his mind and
start. but the driver steadily refused.
IT'S a hopeless case" he said after A
long argument. 1.-The vibration with that
type OF motor is so great that the car
would shake itself TO pieces in hundred
niles"
De Palma had been quoted at 10 and IL
10 ! in the local betting, and more than
81 90 had been placed on his chances at
those odds when it was learned that ne
would not 20 10 the starting line. This
money was returned TO his supporters but
it is said rat more than $500 wagered
on him in New York that he would be re-
turned the winner will be lost.
So chagrined was the great track driver
al his inability TO go out and give his ad-
nirers a run for their money that he at
first decided 10 take train for New
York tonight. Later overtures were
made to him looking toward his handling
Of the Gnhooley Isotta and the Bugatu'
either as principal or relief driver. These
of,ers he turned down. but he has decided
TO remain and see the race.
Il don't want the public 10 think ! am
4 ouitter. so III stay and face the music
no said.
Cilhooley is the man who will beneht by
the sudden Withdrawal Of the Mercedes.
His Isotta made the next best time ana
lie automatically drops into the vacant
Mace. His car is one Of the trio OF ltahai'
machines that were built for the 1913 race
Int which failed TO distinguish themselves
because of unpreparedness
In the field that Will line up before rom
HAY. the starter, and John do Long, MS
assistut. at 10 o'clock tomorrow Sin
countries are represented They are
France. Germany, Belgium, italy, Great
Britain and the United States.
France looks like the winner with the
extraordinary creations that will repre-
sent her. They are the three feuseo'S
and the pair Of Delages.
Certain il is that America, with TWO
MERGERS. three Suites, Marmon and TWO
MsNwells. not TO speak Of several ma
chimes OF less reputation, Will make a
worthy showing, and this country may be
2 factor in the division OF the fortune IN
cash that hangs on the result.
Thousands OF dollars poured into the
Golfers of the bookmakers to-day, but
most Of it was on the leading feuseo'
nsir Ronlot and GouX, either on the IN
dividuaIs at to and TO l. respectively
or On the combination at to ..
fpdianapolis was literally swamped with
r,ce visitors to-day, and by evening the
streets i'm the downtown section Oh the
city were lined along both curos with cars
that bore the license tags OF every state
from Maine TO California.
Al the Speedway offices as early as
O'Clock intending spectators were notified
that every seat had been sold with only
scattered possibilities. As the Speedway
has a seating capacity Of 5000. with park
ing spaces for 1000 cars in the iniield' IT
10 c,,ite probable that the crowd will num-
her not less than 10000, and it may be
greater.
Clouds hung in the sky tonight and
there was. some fear OF rain. heavy
storm at 10 o'clock in the morning with
prospect for its continuance would mean
tho postponement OF the race until Mon
dav The indications tonight are that
many thousands of the visiting motorists
will have 10 sleep In their cars, so a post
ponement would spell intense discomfort
for them.