Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-05
TH|RTY-TWO FOREMOST
DRIVERS IN BIG RACE
Contest for Astor Cup to Feature
Opening of New Sheepshead
Bay Speedway.
a5S, 900 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED
Speed Demons of Europe and Amer
lea to Try for Record OF Two Miles
Minute, Which Is Dream of All
Drivers and Car Makers.


greatest race in the greatest sports
be staged at the Sheepshead Bay
Speedway In New York, on October 2
II the confident expectations of those
in charge are realized the contest will
he witnessed by 100000 persons-a null
titude such never before was as
Hemhied in the western world within
one enclosure and probably larger than
ever paid to see any show since the
beginning OF time.
II VIII be the race for the Astor CUP
the new emblem Of automobile cham
pionship in the realm of speed. In
addition TO this trophy, on which Vim
cent Astor xii spend from $4,000 to
$4,000. there will be money prizes ag-
gregating $4,000
Two miles minute-l2O miles an
hour-is the dream of all automobile
drivers and car builders. 1t never has
been attained in race II may be in
the contest for the Aston Cup. for Dario
Resta once went n short distance on
the Brookland course at the rat" of
1898 miles an hour and 1872 miles
an hour for the whole three mile
length Of the Brook lands track, was
made occasion.
To stage such contests as that for
the Aston Cup. to give airshp races
under conditions better for the racers
and the public than ever were pre-
scented before. to have a field for the
Olympic games and TO promote science
and invention and encourage national
and international sports. the Sleeps
head Bay Speedway Corporation has
been formed. The Corporation has &C
quired what is perhaps the choicest
and best property for this purpose in
America. IT embraces the famous Coney
Island Jockey Club race track at
Sheepshead Bay, where Salvador, one
OF the most magnificent thoroughbreds
ever foaled. carried the colors of James
p. Haggin to victory on many occa-
sions; where the mighty swayback
fenny. electrified thousands with his
wonderful bursts OF speed whcre
Troubadour and The Bard. where w. L.
Scotts flying Charity, Michael Dana
hers Avalon, August Belmont's Fidcs
James r. keenes incompatible Syson-
by. and all the monarchs of the turf
o! the last three decades, have met In
the classic events
The Sheepshead Bay property COW
ers 40 acres. Within the track there
is parking space for 1000 automo-
hi!es. from the seats OF which spccta-
tors may witness the races. Outside
the track. but within the Enclosure
there is parkway space for 10000 more
automobiles.
The track has ribs Of steel and skin
OF wood. Into It's construction 1850
tons OF steel and millions of feet Of
ium Der have gone. Wood makes tho
best surface for automobiles II has
elasticity and eliminates vibration In
the two miles OF track there are two
-suaiSht-away courses OF half mile
each and two curves OF half a mile
each. On these two curves the track
rises gradually TO an extreme height OF
20 feet inches on the outside. to allow
for the paraholic swing OF car rae
ing at tremendous speed. Into the grand
stand 1850 tons OF steel have gone. Ii
IL double decked and every foot OF tho
Ia n flll fra ~
the $4,000 seats. This mammoth struc-
ture is 1925 feet long. The bleach
ers" are l.SoG feet long
How many cars will be in the race is
not certain but there probably will he
thirty-two, and these will be driven by
the best men available In the world.
The French government is relea sing
Two OF It's most renowned automohilists
from army service In order that they
may take part. First there will he elm
nation races. These viii be held on
September "a and 2S. To compete for
the cup a speed OF eightyfive miles an
hour for one lap Of the course must be
shown Those who fail will he cx-
Guided
Among those almost certain to par
ticipate in the cup race are Ralph de
Palma. Barney Oldneld, Spaniard Por-
porato, Bob Burman. Rene Thomas and
' George Robertson.
AT least twelve new cars. never raced
before. will be seen. Finley Porter is
building three cars especially for the
Astor cup and three other cars are be-
ing constructed at Trenton.
II was Resta who won the 50h-mile
~gacc at Chicago. averaging 50 rs miles
all hour
The distance for the Aston cup Will
be 3a0 miles. The start will be at IL
A. NJ. The winning car proba bly, will
cross the line by 2:30 r. NJ.
Fred Wagner, who is the Mars Cas-
s!dy of the automobile world, will start
tn" racers.
To time the cars there will he a force
OF twenty-five men. With thirty-two
ears racing around the course at the
rate Of 100 or more miles an hour. both
the mechanical and human timers will
b- kept busy.
One feature In connection with the
great event on the opening day is that
the richest two young men in America.
and possibly in the world, will be
among the most deeply interested. They
are Vincent Aston. Gonor Of the cup and
Harry Hardness. president OF the asso-
citation.