Arizona republican., 1917-02-11
RESTA AWARDED VALUABLE PRIZE
 AS BEST DRIVER

You coald almost detect the odor of burned gas and castor oil at the Chi cs.go Automobile club last week where the racing drivers, manufacturers of cars, and tires and hosts of officials had gathered for the American Auto mobile association dinner and to wit ness the presentation of the 1915 cham pionship to Dario Resta, by Richard Nenuerdell, chairman of the contest board of the A. A. A. Every race ut any importance dhc.ag the past year was reviewed and sae conversation sounded like~the purr of the racing motors they talked about
 Chairman kennerdell took the entire gathering by complete surprise when lc rose and carefully unwrapped a small package which revealed a dia- mond studded platinum fob, the gift of the contest board of the A. A. A. to larlo Gesta in recognition of his win uing the title of 1916 champion. On 'uc sid" of the foD which is set with large diamond is engraved cham ponship 1916, A. A. A and on the otler side of the solid platinum medal American Automobile association to Dario Resta. Champion 1916" It is toy far the most elaborate piece of Jowelry ever given 10 any champion
 q. M. Bacon of the B. F. Good rich company in presenting the awards given by his company to Resta, Aiken and Rlckenbacker said. The spirit in which these awards were made by the Goodrich company is in keeping with it's impersoHal attitude towards motor isis ln general We did not restrict S.yertown Cord tires, exclusive use of Silrer-on Cord tires. although Resta did use them exclusively and Aitken nd lIc6enbacher also won many of their points with our tire equipment. te tried to make the conditions of these awards as broad and liberal as aar policy in furnishing through our touring bureau maps. touring books and even outlining tours for motorists. resardiess of the make of tires they Use Tn other words our idea is to help motoring in general with no other specific idea in mind than to broaden The field of the motor car.
 In handing MT Resta our check, as winner of the first place, I cannot help aJl add my personal appreciation Of h n- People have been kind enough to admit that his victories have been mainly due to three things: a wonder iDi dtlVer. q wonderful car and won- deriii ares. His performances during inc past var stamp him. in my person. al opnion, as the ablest driver of today.
 
 has flnis he'd in the lase two years. with one exception. namely, DePalma's hard Io'isnt victory over him at Indianapolis in l9l5- If no other driver can this be ,llc- SO Y stands him as a master. John Altken. who won second place. an lth iC the Goodrich award for that pos ,tica put up d good fight No man ls more eNperic.,-e- CT resource Il than he. He came with a rush altcr he got started ana there is ad- .Ailtt.!ir but shade Of difference be- tween these two drivers"
 'iu ono Wag ] am glad that Ricken- r'cr is not hc-e fer l can say d few things which his absence permits. He s iae best loved driver in the country today, d great big hon hearted man " -th a wonderful disposition and Deo- n-r c'lll hun Rick as tc.m of affec- -ltn Out on the coast at Santa Monica popular resort called Baron Long S. One day, while there. Rick sls dubbed Baron Rick and t has followed hlm ever since. Eddie and t,-ch of the east and middle west is Baron Rick on the coast He is q hard lslier and a good general and [ think 1is WorE al Ascot Park showed the cieverest Seaeralship that I have ever witnessed The De. -onal side of no man has been better portrayed than when he asked that we make his check Tor 5000 payable to his good mother. who is now living in Columbus. Ohio. and IL Is a great pleasure to the B. F. r"odrich company to grant his re- quest"
 T want to read the personal letter of our wee president, H. E. Raymond. " iich is addressed to MT. Resta:
 Dear MT Resta: We present herewith that portion of the prize set for the winner Of the 1916 automobile cham pionshlp driver, under the rules of the American Automobile association. do- mated by us for the purpose In strictly sporting sense We offered our award without restriction as to tire .H iipmeut used Its winning was not 4e pendent on any support of our prod tt- That you have come through l'rd racing season victor, contesting 'Edinst able drivers the total number pl points earning you the champion- ship title. solely on Silvertown Cable 'pid tires, is naturally source of ?. assure to Us. But a more important 'hlns E the affording of opportunitv to eAtend our congratulations To Mir. Aiken who receives the second place prize of s2,00O Mir. Raymond ites as follows Dear Mir. Aiken l.eIeEltn We present that portion of