New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-06
and Reliable
HUGHIE HUGHES
BRAVES DEATH
In AUTO TRIAL
Does Most Everything but
Loop the Loop as Car
Bucks On Track.

There's a divinity that shapes our
ends. rough how them now We will"
and. granting this. it BE- fair TO assume
chat Hughie Hughes is fated not to die
in racing automobile. But Hughie
Hughes Will never be closer TO death
than he was yesterday Afternoon at the
Sheepshead Bay Motor Speedway.
While rounding The upper bank at the
rate OF 90 miles an hour his car skidded,
turned a complete circle and crashed
down to the bottom Of the track. An
act of Providence held the car right
side up, and Hughes was unhurt, even
II badly scared.
The storm kept most of the drivers
OF the course Yesterday afternoon. but
late IN the day Hughes went out Tor
spin in "a substitute car which mas not
qualified for the race. lie was warned
bv the drivers that the rain had SOFT
ened the coating Of creosote and that
pools Of OIL and gasolene drpp ngs lay
along the stralghtaway like gllstenlng
death traps. But Hughes laughed at
the danger and sailed forth. lie de-
cided TO ride alone, however, and asked
his mechanic TO time him.
He made the first lap in safety, rat
ing along on the lower levels, but,
gaming confidence, threw his throttle
wide open and let the car 80. shoot
ing up the high bank, the motor roar
ing and barking an angry protest, ne
sped along. while the few spectators
watched him eagerly, and not without
some anxiety
When he had gained the heights OF
the bank the car was seen TO sWerVe
suddenly and whirl around IN com
plete circle The momentum carried IT
right up 10 within a few feet OF the
steel guard rail which circles the en-
tire top of the track. A hoarse cry Of
horror rose from the spectators, for It
seemed tina. he would certainly crash
over the bank and be hurled to death
on the ground below.
But instead of going over, the car
plunged down TO the bottom OF the
track. twisting and turning about Ike
d crazy. bucking horse. When 1t cata-
pulled TO the bottom, out into the mud
dy safety apron, it careened up on Two
wheels, threatened to turn over. but
then rghted itself and came 70 STOP
rlCnt SIDE up. nuENeS lOob HO NiiiN ~
leaping out OF the car.
'Ill never drive again on wet track
as long as ! live" said Hughie.
The contest board Of the American
Automobile Association has sanctioned
the holding of supplementary ehmina-
ton trials for the race. and tomorrow
the enthusiasts viii have the opportun-
it, of seeing a squadron Of cars which
for one reason or another have been
unable to qualify. The Warner electri-
cal timing apparatus will he used. so
that any records established will stand.
Ralph De Palma will make his first
attempt TO qualify. while Jean Porpor-
sto. who finished second in the Chicago
Derby. will try out his +. K. +. Ralph
Milford will drive either the new Peu-
geot. which is expected from France
to-day. or one of the Maxwell cars.
and Harry Hardness. president OF the
Speedway. is expected 20 ualify ms
Delage and his Baby Peugeo.
Realizing that thousands OF enthusi-
asts who will watch the race are base
ball fans, the management has ar
ranged for bulletin service OF the
worlds series game in Philadelphia on
Saturday. The scores vii be posted on
the several bulletin boards.
1t was announced last nioht that IN
case of another postponement from
Saturday, the race would be run on
Columbus Day, October II.