Imperial Valley press., 1915-02-27
HUGHES HUGHES IS
LEADING IN RACE

Hughes, in Frank Young's One, was
leading the field in the Grand PriX
race in the thirty-fifth lap at l:l5,
Time, 2:22:10, an average speed of "a
miles per hour.
Deresta, in a Peugeot, was second.
Time, 2:22:24.
Wilcox, in Stutz, was third. Time,
2:24:49.
After an auspicious start before
100000 people, rain fell for an hour,
causing the race course to become
slippery ana anything like racing
speed was out of the question.
Mud and water oozed from the
planked section Of the track and
Starter Fred Wagner and his corps
of assistants sprinkled sand over the
worst places.
Shortly after noon the sun came
out bright and the track began to dry
quickly, but the racers cars skidded
dizzily at every turn. The drivers
were reluctant to take chances in fac
ing almost certain overturning or
humping into other cars and the race
promises to last until after dusk.
San Francisco, Feb. 17.-With the
record entry list of thirty-five cars,
the Fifth international Grand PriX
was run today before a crowd esti-
mated by officials tonight as 100000.
The pick of Europe's speed automo-
biles are pitted against the best Of
America, and the rollcall of the driv-
ers includes practically every spee !
star of the United States.
The storm which caused the post
ponement of the Vanderbilt cup race
over the same course last Monday
has moved on and sunshine of the
California brand for the last two days
has allowed steady work to be put in
on the course of 1856 miles, which will
be covered 104 times. Up to late
hour yesterday afternoon a repaving
crew was working on the straight
aways, evening up the depressions
and removing faulty paving.
The course is probably filled with
more thrills than any other route ever
laid out in the world for race of
this Importance. 1t is in general
form rectangle squeezed together
at the center and rounded at one end.
This latter curve is the boarded three
quarters of mile, planks being laid as
emergency measures when the rains
make the dirt tracks deep with mud.
! At the other end are two severe left
angle turns-and turns which have to
be made. Failure to take the first
turn would bring the unfortunate driv-
er and his car into bulwark of baled
hay. And disaster on the second turn
probably would perilously near pre-
cipitate both car and driver into the
bav.
The troubles of the drivers are
brought to a climax at these narrow
turns. But the two left twisters do
not end the troubles. At one point
the course sweeps into one broad road.
Here only barrier Of baled hay will
separate the drivers.
The greatest danger, however, to
the drivers will be on the boarded
track. SO far no successful device
has been found for keeping down the
planks after cars tear over them at
speed. The terrific pounding loosens
the nails and the boards work loose
Car, Maxwell; driver, Barney Old
field; mechanician, H. Goetz.
Duesenberg, Tom Alley, Jack Hen
derson.
Tahis, Jack Gable, w. H. Carlton
Mercer, Eddie Pullen, j. Thomas.
Stutz, Gil Anderson. Tom Rooney
Mercer, G. E. Ruckstell, j. Jep-
sen.
Edwards Special, Lou Candy, B
Hopkins.
StutZ, Earl Cooper, r. Dutton.
Peugeot, ID. Resta, A. Mccarthy.
Mercer, Louis Nikrent, F. Shultz.
Edwards Special, Captain Kennedy
E. Rose.
Simplex, Louis Disbrow, w. Me
! Henery.
Californian, Caleb Bragg, C. Quick
sail.
Delage, C. R. Newhouse, R. Re
mon.
King, Arthur H. Klein, E. Com
!, er.
, Maxwell, Ed Rickenbacker, E
: Schrader.
Chevrolet, Jack lie Cain, E. Long
champs.
: Deusenberg, Edward O'Donnell, P
anderson.
! Chevrolet, R. C. Durant, R. Law
t renee.
7 Case, E. A. Hearne, H. Kiser.
Mercedes, Ralph De Palma, Johl
e De Palma.
= Parsons Special, Jim S. Parson.
= Erwin Special, Grover c. Bergdol1
/. T. K. Furey.
Stutz, Howard Wilcox, d. Lewis.
= Bugatti, j, B. Marquis, f. Jan
deli.
5 Ono, Hughie Hughes, Frank Young
e Alec, w. f. Taylor.
Case, Harry Grant, Joe Cleary.
Overland, Thomas McKelvy, p Fo,
Maxwell, William Carlson, p. Bran
zen.
Francis -Blankman, Roy Franco.
y Tomasini, T. A. Tomasini. ]. "
= Hall.
Gordon Special, Huntley Gordor
n Spider Campbell.
= Benz, Edwin Bergdoll.
= Renault, Ivan r. Gates, HERNIA
p Hess.
II *Doubtful starter.