Evening journal., 1915-09-07
MOTORCYCLE RACES GIVE
THRILL TO FAIR THRONGS

The Delaware State Fair has not
had any more exciting races than the
motorcycle races yesterday afternoon
on the track at the Fair grounds. AS
the track is not properly banked for
speedy motor racing, there were sew
eral tumbles due % cycles skidding
and some thrilling moments during the
side-car races. No one was injured.
They were the first races under the
auspices of the Wilmington Motor.
cycle Club and bore the sanction of
the Federation of American Motor
cyclists. Jack Mullin, had two spills
before the races began. He won sew
eral of the fast events.
In the seventh lap of the fve-mile
amateur event with only a few yards
separating him from Besinger, the
leading man, Mullin took his worst
spill but escaped injury.
It did not take long after the word
''go' to see that the race was between
Besinger, Mullin and Mountz. All
three were well punched from the
start and it was at the first curve
that several accidents were narrowly
averted.
Ten-Mile Race Exciting.
The ten-mile race was a thriller
and the same three drivers figured
conspicuously. Besinger, who is a
Chester lad but a member of the local
club. took a spill in the Identical spot
where Mullin met his second mishap
When his machine skidded and start
ed to turn over he threw himself from
the saddle and the force Of the twist
snapped his feet over his head He
completed three or four somersaulrs
before he stopped rolling. Scores Of
people rushed to where the accident
occurred but before they reached the
scene, Besinger was on his feet, push
ing his motorcycle before him, and
had gotten back in the race.
Spill Stops Race,
The five-mile bucket-seat race came
To an abrupt ending when Krause
and Coke in one of the cars, were
forced TO stop after they crawled
from under their machine. which had
piled at the first curve Hayward and
Osmond continued and were awarded
the race. Billy Osmond was a con-
sistent performer and although he did
not take first place. he figured in
nearly every race.
The 25-mile pursuit race was call
ed at the end Of the 18th lap because
Of the machines being even. and the
prizes we're distributed equally.
Motor enthusiasts will be treated 10
an innovation tonight whom races
will be held. Yesterdays summaries:
Three Miles Novice-Won by Harry
Jones; second, William B. Osmond (;
third, j. S. Starr. Time, 4.23 2-5.
Five Mile Amateur-Won by ]. Be.
singer; second, John Mountz; third
w B. Osmond. Time, 7.47 1-5.
Five Mile Married Men--Won by
Charles Snippi; second, James Cor.
don; third. NJ. Cotton. Time. 7.26.
Ten Mile Amateur-Won by Jack
Mullen; second. Besinger; third, w
B. Osmond. Time 13.45.
Five Mile Bucketseat-Wo by
Charles Hayward and w. B. Osmond
Time, sos. Krause and Coke failed to
finish.
Five Mile Side-car-Won by J.
Mountz and Gordon: second, Oberly
and Webb; third, Cotton and Osmond
Time, 915.
Newspaper Men at Dinner.
Ia appreciation of the assistance
given them by the local newspapers a
committee representing the Delaware
State Fair Association entertained the
representatives of the newspapers al
an excellent dinner in the clubhouse
OF the Horse Show Association last
evening. The affair was informal and
one of the most enjoyable treats ever
given to the scribes.
J. Atwood Weldin sat at the head
OF the table and over the coffee and
cigars expressed the appreciation OF
the fair association, of the assistance
and courtesy extended by the news
papers in making the Fair the big
institution it is.
Sylvester d. Townsend Jr.. after
seconding Mr.. Weldin's remarks said
The Fair management desires to
warn the public against the danger
of approaching too near the sides
of the track during the automobile
racing. II is pointed out by the man.
agement of the Fair that such ap-
proach may result in danger amount
ing TO possible loss of life or limb
for which the Fair management can
not assume the responsibility. He
said that people would have TO stand
where designated in order to avoid
danger.
Howard T. Wallace made few re-
marks on the Fair and expressed q