The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-18
IT'S GREAT SPORT
KanSanS Take to Auto Racing
With Much Enthusiasm.
Record Crowd Saw the
Events Friday Afternoon.

That automobile racing is destined
to become one of the most popular
sports in Kansas was demonstrated
Friday afternoon when the largest
crowd that ever focused eyes on the
fair grounds track watched the first
gasoline speed program of the fair
association.
human egg shell encircled the
outside of the track and in some
places it was fifteen and twenty per-
sons deep. Most of the inside fence
was also occupied by wild-eyed spec
tators. The grandstand and bleachers
were filled to overlooking and ambi-
tious visitors who found it hard to get
an uninterrupted view of the course
climbed to the tops of the surround
ing buildings and many boys watched
the events from tree tops.
A tangible idea of the enthusiasm
the spectators displayed in the events
can be gathered from the fact that
the unfortunate accident which in
jured ten of the Spectators-some OF
them probably fatally-was given only
passing notice and was treated as a
trivial incident by the thousands who
craned their neckS and gaSped in ex-
citement as the events were resumed
and the speed demons continued their
flirtations with death as they took the
curves on swinging skids and opened
their throttles to speeds of seventy
miles an hour and better on the
straightaways.
She's a Real Sport.
However the best side light on the
reception of the initial speed sport was
probably furnished by a sweet-looking,
clear-eyed young girl who sat in the
grandstand. Becomingly dressed in
neat brown frock and carrying a van
ity box with the grace of an American
oh ms
on in the arena before her.
And her unsophisticated enthusiasm
flowed like clear water in a mountain
stream. This little girl had her eyes
glued on Fitzpatrick when he hit the
curve on the fatal lap of his exhibit
ton and a cry of horror came from
her lips as she saw his machine tear
through the human wall; and she hid
her face from the sight.
However, in the second event that
followed, the Australian pursuit race,
this same girl apparently forgot she
had seen human beings moved down
clapped her hands in glee as her ia
vorite car came under the wire first.
wasn't that perfectly grand" she
said to a strange man who stood be-
win'
Raimey Took Honors.
John Raimey, driving Briscoe,
carried off the bulk of the honors of
the afternoon, winning two races by
sensational finishes. However, Kill
patrick, in his Briscoe, in the elimina
ton for todays sweepstakes, made
the best time when he lowered the
track record and made a mile in the
first event in I'LL fat The previous
track record, according to fair Off
Gals was l ~, which was equaled by
wild Bill Endicott in his Case Comet
in the first event. Endicott also made
one brilliant finish, coming under the
Grcf ~, h. ro0 "
barely a nose.
The results of the events were AS
follows:
Lowering the Topeka track record
one second, Judy Fitzpatrick, driving
a Briscoe, won the elimination race
event No. 1. His time was I'LL. The
former Topeka dirt track record was
1:21 Wild Bill Endicott, driving a
Case Comet, was second, time 1:12.
Horey, the Canadian champion, fin