New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-30
De PALMA FAILS
QUALIFY FOR
BIG AUTO RACE
Freezes a Piston After
Hitting Up Fast Pace
and Leaves Track.

Ralph De Palma and his big Merce-
dos car are lost to the Aston Cup race,
which will be run over the Sheepshead
Bay Motor Speedway on Saturday, un-
less some miracle can be worked and
the hearts of his rivals soften. lie
failed to qualify in the elimination
trials, which closed Yesterday, because
of engine trouble
De Palma arrived from Allentown yes
terday and was at the track with his
car, ready for the trial, but after trav-
cling a lap in 1:ll:04, or at the rate Of
10l miles an hour, he froze a piston
and was forced TO retire. II will be nee
essary completely TO dismantle and re-
assemble his motor before the car can
be made ready for the test. This, ex-
ports declared, may require a whole day,
which would leave De Palma only a
couple OF hours to tune up the engine
for the race
There were other drivers who failed
TO qualify yesterday, but because of ex-
tenuatng circumstances the committee
may allow them one trial this after
noon. Grover Bergdoll, Of Philadel-
phia. was to have made his attempt, but
was detained by the courts IN Phiiadel-
phia. lie will be on hand this morn
ing. Hugh Ogren wired that his car
had been delayed IN shipment, but
would surely be at the track to-day.
Along with these, il was announced
In the Maxwell camp that Tom Orr
would drive the car which has been
substituted for Harry Grants Inflated
machine which was burned beyond all
al, l., IL 4 IL,
qualified this car. and Or will qualify
this morning. 1t ia just question OF
power. for Orr, while comparatively
unknown in the East, established the
worlds record for five miles over the
Omaha Speedway. lie covered the dis
lance in 3 minutes fat over one mile
and a quarter track.
Since these men are TO be allowed a
trial. il may be that the drivers will
consent to De Palma qualifying But
DO can only be by the consent of all the
contestants, and De Palma is one of
the greatest drivers in the world. His
starting, and possible victory, might
open the way TO protests and no end
of acrimony.
There were 10 new names added to
the list of contestants, and unless
some Of the arrivals to-day qualify,
thirteen cars will face Fred J. Wag-
ner, who will start the race. Already
the superstitious shudder and mutter
moody prophecies. The only way TO
Offset the jinx, they declare, is to I'M
pert a raven and kill d rabbit in the
light Of the moon in a graveyard at
midnight and hire "A crOss-eyed darby
fof the job.
Perhaps the little thirteen hoodoo
is already getting in some of its fine
work. Along with the accident to De
Palma's car came word that Barney
Oldfeld had burned out a bearing in
his effort to burn up the track. Here
we're two extremes in accidents. De
Palma frOze 2 piston.
Jean Porperto tried out his F. r. P.
car. but il was not his day. He deluged
the track with gasolene fumes and
clouded the course with dense, black
smoke, but 90 fast he couldn't. Hughic
Hughes tried 20 coax his Baby PeugeOt
into racing humor. but Baby woudr' I
be coaxed, and failed to qualify. Dario
Resta is IL a quandary. He had a
little motor trouble on Tuesday, and
yesterday affairs went from bad to
much worse. But he will be back on
the track at top speed to-day.
Earl Cooper was not troubled by the
jinx lie had his big Stutz car out,
devourng space lie made an Official
trial, and covered his lap in 1:1l:08,
or at a rate Of 100i6 miles an hour.
Cooper raced along for ten laps, and
never travelled below ninety-eight
miles an hour. Later Eddie RickeG-
hacker went out, and for thirty miles
he averaged ninety-eight miles an
hour. Ira Vail hurled his Milford Spe-
cial around the course several laps at
a lively clip, but when he made an
official trial the best he could do was
1:17:OO which is at rate OF ninety
three miles an hour. Harry Hark-
ness, president of the Speedway, went
out for short spin in his Delage car
and went along at mere nlnety-hve
miles an hour.
The official meeting Of the drivers
before the race will be held this morn,
ing at IL o'clock in the judges stand
at the track At this meeting the
driver, mechanician and relief driver
Of every car entered will have TO be
named. All contestants will have 70
present the official surgeons certih-
cate. William Schimpf, the referee I;
Fred J. Wagner and +. +. Edwards, OF
the American Automobile Association
Technical Committee, will give the
drivers their final instructions.
II was announced at the track yes
terday that Harry Grant. who is con
fined at the Coney Island Hospital. YVES
making good progress, and that He
would be able TO leave his bed IN an
other week or ten days. He is entirely
out Of danger.