Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-13
FAIR ENDS TODAY
WITH fine PROGRAM
Nam Yesterday Put Damper on
Auto Races and Causes
Postponement.
FINAL CARD IS ELABORATE
Record-Breaking Crowd Expect
ed to Take Part in Closing
Big Exhibition.
FINAL CARD is ELABORATE

Practically the entire afternoons pro-
cram at the Virginia State Fair was
abandoned yesterday in tho face OF
orivin9 rain-the second OF the week
which began 10 fall shortly after IL
O'CLOCK and continued until late in the
afternoon. Despite the threatening
weather. the attendance was unusually
GOOD. and surpassed that OF the same
Gay last year. Prospect OF fast auto
mobile racing was the great drawing
card, but. after delaying the races for
Two hours. the mana cement was finally
forced to abandon the program.
There came clearing Of the weather
late In tho afternoon. and the forecast
OF tho weather Bureau for to-day was
fair and slightly colder. Plans were
Immediately gotten under way for dry
Ing tho race track In preparation for
An extensive racing card to-day.
Drivers had their machines on the
track for some time yesterday. and the
cars were working to perfection. Auto
mobile men declared that the races to-
day would be the greatest ever staged
in Virginia, and directors of the fair
predicted a larger crowd than has at
tended the closing da" OF any fair in
tho past.
Motor racing has become exceedingly
popular in Virginia during the past few
years. but until last year no meets had
heen staged in Richmond for some
time. The closing day OF the 1915
State Fair was devoted to this sport.
and proved such an attraction that
when plans for this years fair were
discussed two days were quickly set
aside for the sport.
PROMISE THRILLS TO-DAY
IN AUSTRALIAN PURSUIT
Officials OF the American Automobile
Association. under whose sanction the
races will be held. refused to allow the
cars on the course yesterday afternoon.
Several drivers were apparently will
Ing TO start the races, but the track
had become wet and dangerous Auto
mobile men declared that racing was
out of the question under existing con-
ditjons. saying II would be criminal TO
| allow cars TO even take to tho course.
Eddie Hcarnc and Andy Burt. who
have entered severEl--of the speed
events. are weil-known in the East for
| their driving, and both have met be-
fore. Honors are about even between
them, with indications that the compe-
tition to-day for the prizes Will be un-
usually strong. Burt drives PeuEeot
car. the same ono in which wild Bob
Burman was killed about two years
ago on tho Pacific Coast. licarne uses
a DuesenbcrE Special. which has de-
rcloped tremendous speed in recent
meets.
The races will he started by Fred
Wagner, one OF the most prominent
motor-race starters in the United
,tat t-r, ~
having started every large race dur
ing the past ten years.
There arc seven events on the program
for to-day. and It is possible tina, sew
| eraI o. the races from yesterday will
\ he run. The first card is a iivemile
race for nonstock cars owned in Rich
mond with piston displacement OF
| 451 cubic inches and under. There is
\ also a special ten-mile-match event in
| which will participate several prom
| incnt drivers and speed machines.
Tho feature card on the program
the twenty Eve-mile free or-ali for the
scaboard championship-will be run
Il about 3 o'clock, the first race starting
promp pity at / o'clock. The champion
| shin event was to have been run in
/ three heats, the first two of which
I were to have been run yesterday. 1t
l.. probable. however. that all three
heats will be run this afternoon. pro-
| viding that the program Is gotten un-
der way promptly and the races are
/ fast.
| In connection with this race. the
L connecting drivers are allowed a GER
/ tain number OF points in the races at
\ Pod Bank and Trenton, y. j., Danbury.
l Conn. and Richmond, the driver hav-
/ ing tho greatest NUMBER OF points to
h his credit in .he four meets to be
H awarded the Horace p. Murphy trophy.
h ro.DAY's CONTEST WILL.
II DECIDE TROPHY WINNER
II only two drivers who have partici-
Il mated in the othe: three meets VIII
L .pter the races at the State Fair.
L ,rbey arc Eddie Hearne and Andy Burt.
/ hnth well-known delivers. and both have
7 ,bs same number of points to their
/ credit. With a ,l.ird driver. who will
h MT attend the Richmond races. they
4 ore tied for first place, and to-dny's
n contcst will decide the winner Of the
h trophy
a The points awarded in tho Seaboard
Z banpionshp event will be 100 to first.
[ - to second. 2S to third and Is to
+ fourth man. The driver with the
4 greatest number OF points to his credit
\ al the conclusion of the meet will be
i awarded the trophy. In the event of
4 tie. a special nve-mile match race will
! he run to determine the winner.
/ Horace p Murphy, the secretary In
/ charge of the racing at TIE fair. last
4 n;eht announced the standing of the
| contestants as follows:
Driver. Points.
] AaI, rl,rt 100
Clarence Lamb ........... 100
E. A. Hearne. ne.............. 100
| J. A. Benedict. ........... So
/ Walter Haines .......... Sc
Ray Howard .......... So
Castor Chevrolet ...... %
T. r. Donohoc. ........... Is
Earl French ..,........... oS