Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-17
100000 MOTORDROME
WILL BE BUILT HERE IF
. LAND DEAL IS SUCCESS
Project Hinges on Terms of
Lease and a Decision Will
Be Made on Monday
BIG RACES ARE PLANNED

a motordrome to cost 100000 will be
| constructed in this city, probably on a
/ site now under advlsement at 1lth street
| and Erie avenue. Cycle and motorcycle
races will be held in the big saucer under
| the auspices Of the National Cycle Rae
| ing Association, Inc, OF Newark, N. J.
This became known today following
| visit to this city by John NJ. Chapman,
| general superintendent of the bowl at
| Newark. Mr.. Chapman has opened ne
| gotiations with James a. Patterson, of
J. a. Patterson s. Co. 1870 South 18th
street, real estate agents, who today veri-
fled the report that the saucer Is to be
built here.
The gentlemen who approached me-"
said Mr. Patterson. made It very evil
dent that they want this plot of ground,
and they will make a decision next Mon
| day on whether or not they will accept
| the proposition I made for a lease of
three or five years. l am not sure about
the iive-year lease. More probably It will
be for three years.
III at the end Of that time the Phila-
delphla Rapid Transit Company does not
want tho ground the gentlemen may have
on extension. Tho plot of ground sought
Is at llth street and Erie avenue, next 20
the carbarns."
RoDEN TO BE IN CHARGE.
John a. Roden who has been general
manager of the Point Breeze Park motor
drome for sometime Is the man selected
by the National c. II. A, to assume
charge here. Roden has had world OF
experience in the motor-paced and bicycle
racing game and is well qualified. As
sistng Roden will be Jimmy Moran,
star Cyclist, who will come from Boston.
Roden will have charge of the develop
ment Of the property and will superintend
the construction of the drome.
Mr.. Roden said today: Yes, Phlla-
delphla is at last to have a motordrome
that will be within the scent carfare
zone and accessible from every section OF
the city. The national officials propose
to promote track and field work and
bicycle racing in addition to motor and
motor-paced events. Provided we can
come to some amicable agreement next
Monday with the Patterson Company,
which is the real estate department OF the
=. r. r.. work will be started on
the construction of the racing plant In
February. | am not prepared to say
exactly what the cost of the lease will
be. but 1t will be around the $4,000
mark. An additional $4,000 will cover
the cost of the erection OF the motor
and veodrome
FOUR LAPS TO THE MILE.
"The track will be four laps to the
mile" continued Mr.. Roden. land the
will be provided for 25QO0 spectators and
the lighting system will be the best. Phil
adelphia hasn't II suitable place 10 pro-
mote track meets and this drome VIII
supply the need. There will be a quarter
mile running track built and there will
be n ljO-yard straightaway. 1t is the
present plan TO have grand opening on
Memorial Day, 1915, when the local people
will be treated to bicycle racing as well
as motor and motor-paced. We have en-
gagged the best riders in the world to APP
pear here and such names as Kramer,
Grenda, Clarke, Goullet Walthour Car
man. Linart, Seres and Wiley will appear
on tho programs. When in running order
at least l50 men will be employed around
the plant.
''It is the intention to promote two sets
of races week. Tuesday and Friday
nights have been settled upon, and. OF
course there will be plenty of amusement
on holidays throughout the racing year"
The grounds vii be easily reached by
the web OF cross-town cars. The Phlla-
delphia plant will rank with such motor
loving cities as Newark Boston. Salt
Lake City, Denver. Chicago and Atlanta.