The Washington herald., 1917-08-19
Chalmers Wins World Record
In 24-Hour Speedway Run

The Chalmers Company now holds
the name for endurance.
A stock Chalmers chassis was
driven over the Sheepshead Bay
speedway, 1.S9S miles. in twenty-fOur
hours at an average actual running
speed of S1.O9 miles per hour. This
dazzling run is the highest perform
ance ever made under the observa-
ton Of the American Automobile
Association.
The Chalmers thus shattered the
best previous record Of 1,Sl9 miles in
twenty-four hours, which was made
by the Hudson in May. 1916. The
start OF this record-making run was
made Wednesday afternoon, Aug. l.
The Chalmers was driven by Joe
Dawson all bit five hours, when
Joe Gardham. another member Of the
Chalmers factory experimental stan,
took the wheel in relief.
The feat Of the Chalmers is the
most remarkable performance to the
credit OF any motor car. The Hud-
son. which created a worldwide SEN
sation when it Travelled 1873 miles
in twenty-four hours. has a motor
with a piston displacement Of 2Ss
cubic inches, whereas the Chalmers
stock motor which travelled 1.S9S
miles in the same time over the
same course, has only 2ei cubic
inches displacement.
The canvas covering over No. )
pit at the Sheepshead Bay speedway
tapped vigorously in the wind. The
sky was overcast. Alongside the pit
stood a little car. as 1.-THE as a gray
hound, as sturdy as an oak. There
was a crash Of thunder, vivid flashes
of lightning. and then the rain de-
scended. The men in the judges
stand crowded closer to the center
of the stand in an attempt to escape
the downpour. The attendants at the
pit sought dry spots. The starter
who had been waiting patiently at
the starting tape while the electrical
timing device was tried OK, ran
for shelter. Only the little black
and-whfte car stood in the rain.
seeming to set at defiance the ele-
nents. Soon the rain had spent
its force. though it continued TO ran
A Whitehall driver climbed into the
left-hand seat Of the little car. There
was a whir Of the self-starter and
then a savage bark that told the
gasoline had taken hold.
The little car flashed around the
course and Fred J. WaEner. the
starter Of all Of Americas important
auto events, waved it on its way. Inc
attempt at the record began at 5.-1
D. m. Around the two-mile saucer
sped the car and the tape clicked as
it crossed the line. Down the slippery
track and into the turns il flew, lts
motor murmuring as contentedly as a
brook on its way to the sea.
One hour passed. Eighty-three miles
was recorded. against n for the hrst
hour of the former record. Round ana
round came the car. At 292 miles DaW-
son drew into the pit, took on gas
oil and water, o. K. and was gone IN
less than four minutes. In order 70
prove conCIusiveIy that the motor need
not be stopped during the entire run
the spark plug was changed while the
motor hummed on.
Through the long night Dawson
drove on, stopping at intervals for
food and for fuel. oil and gas for his
engine. but never for any mechanical
repairs.
Fog ObScureS View.
4 heavy fog rolled in from the East
at , o'clock in the morning. At
a. m. Dawson rolled up to the pits
and turned the wheel over to Joe
Gardham When Gardham drew In
for gas later he said the fog
was so dense on the turns that
he had TO ride up against the outside
rail- in order to keep his bearings on
the turns little after a. m. Daw-
son, refreshed by a Catnap, took the