Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-12
RESTA WINS AUTO DERBY
DEFEATS RALPH De PALMA
IN RECORD TIME FOR RACE.
Two Speed Dueis Thrill Huge Crowd
ut Chicago Speedyvny-No Serious
Accidents Mar Big Event.

CHICAGO, June 11.-Dario Resta to.
day won the second annual 30O-mile
automobile Derby at the speedway
here. Ralph de Palma was second.
nearly a lap behind the leader. Resta's
time was hours minutes and Al
seconds, an average of 1877 miles an
hour Christiaens was third; Vail.
fourth. and O'Donnell, ffth. De Palma
ana Resta raced neck and neck
throughout the contest, but two laps
engine trouble. and was forced to 90
to the pits, losing his position in the
lead
1t was new record for the race, and
thesecond victory for Dario Resta
He set the mark over a 500-mile route
last year at 1888 miles an hour, and
at that time he travelled the distance
raster than any man had ever made II
before. Resta won easily on the last
lap hut up to that time he had en-
gagged In two duels OF speed, frst with
Riokenbacher for more than 100 miles,
and then with De Palma for 1913 miles.
And there was thrill a minute for
every ono OF the 10000 spectators.
On the back stretch, in next to the
last lap of the course, after they had
alternated in the lead almost lap for
lap. De Palma, driving n Mercedes,
made his final squirt, and was passing
the flying Italian in hls Peugeot when
he suddenly dropped back. a cry of
amaZement swept the long stands and
trailed off into great sob when De
Palina's car lost speed. and 1t was seen
that he was In trouble The promise
of a stirring stretch duel between drty-
ers and ears matched like the works
Iof twin watches was broken, and Resta,
with n clear field, dashed ON at top
speed past the winning post and took
down $4,000. the big end of the purse.
Slight engine trouble on the next
10 the last lap cost De Palma his
chance for the rich prize, but. after q
brief stop at the pits. he whirled on
to take down the second prize Of $4,000.
The race was run under perfect con-
ditions, and was unmarried by casual-
ties The Sunbeam car, driven by
Calvin, whirled around and spilled out
it's pilot and William Skall, hiH meeha-
nician. after 1t had passed the finish
of the line in fifth place. The two
men picked themselves up In hurry
and scurried for the safe side of the
course. The spill occurred on the frst
turn, while Calvin was slowing down,
but still travelling at n rate better than
sixty miles, and was due to a break
in the steering gear of the car.
The accident was witnessed by the
entire crowd, and the fate of tho two
men was In doubt for those who had
not seen them run across the track
until they were picked up and brought
back TO the pits, after being paraded
around the course.
Resta's driving was the big feature
OF the greatest automobile test OF
speed and endurance on the part of cars
and drivers ever witnessed In Chicago.
He appeared to have the greatest faith In
his car and always a little In reserve
Although Rickenbacher raced him hood
to hood in the first stage of the race
| Resta unlinkcd n little more power &c
run into the prize money f,r the first
/ 100 miles. ~
Then Rickenbacher. in his borrow ed
Peugeot. dropped out. and De Palma
moved up for his long fight with the
cool and daring Resta. The Italian
| still held that slight reserve, and took
the 200-mile prize from De Palma, but
the latter got his engine tuned to Its
highest pitch, and snatched the $50
mile prize by the length of car