Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-04
BIG CROWD SEES
BENN|NG RACES
Earl French Wins Weight Cup
in Most Exciting Con-
test of Day.

A large crowd attended the automo-
bile races at the Benning track yes
| terday afternoon under the auspices Of
| the American Automobile Association.
Fully 1000 persons were on hand
| when the first race started The grand
| stand was filed. the old clubhouse
packed to capacity and cars lined the
Enclosure for a quarter OF miie
around the track.
fifth. for the Edward Weight. jr.. cup:
when the Jimmie Jr., in whirlw1nd
finish. beat home the Jimmie. Here
the old pioneer dirt track driver. f.ari
French, proved his expert driving
qualities, for after trailing his run
| ming mate for nearly four miles ne
showed excellent judgment of pace
and overhauled him on the Tar turn
to win going away.
Special mention is due Irving Dono-
hoe for his consistent performances
| throughout the day with his Donnie
Special, Jr." He finished second in three
events and third in two others.
In the fourth race Harry Meyers ran
his Marquette Buick into the fence on
the first turn. but outside of tearing
down several yards of railing no dam
age was done. The race had to be
started over.
In the motor cycle races William Den
| ham. riding an Excelsior machine. made
a show OF his fields in every race he
| rode. and ended the days sport by
beating the Jimmie, Jr..' driven by
Earl French, in special match race
between an automobile and motor
cycle.
| In this race French had trouble get
| ting away. but even with a good start
| it is quite questionable whether he
| would have beaten Denham. who seems
| to know every inch of the Benning
track. 1t is pleasure to watch this
rider negotiate the turns. and when
| invincible. Pat Troop Of the Haverford
Company was in charge of the motor
cycle races.
Royce Hough of the T. V. T. Cor
poration acted as starter and general
all-around official for the meet.
Horace chandlee represented the A.
A. A., and II. w. Soper. assisted by the
local newspaper men. looked after the
other official duties. Following are the
summaries:
| Ray wall Excelsior machine): third Paul
Motor cycle race. i've miles. 81 cubic sS inches:
| open ports-Won by William Denham fEx
cslsior machine B. andre Indian ..yirf,nia
Motor eycls race. aye miles. 81 cubic inches:
/ Harley Davidson machineD: second. J. N. Sea
brook Indian mschineJ: third. Bernard J. Began
Motor cycle ee rase. 1e miles: 81 cubic niche.
open ports--won by william Denham 6E1-
scissor machine): second, j. u. Andre (Indian
chine) dropped out Time. 5.14 as.
Auto race. five miles: class Z; nonstock: for
cars with piston displacement OF $40 cubic
inches and under-Won by Jimmie. Jr.. Kline Car
Company driver. Earl FRENCH: second. Donnie
Special. Jr., n. II. Donohoe driver. Irwin Dono-
hoe): third Ford Special. ". l.. FRASER driver,
W. l.. FraiserD. Time. 6.57 3-5.
Auto race. five miles: class E: nonstock: for
ears with displacement Of $50 cubic inches and
under-MarQuette Buick. Harry Meyers (driver
Harry Meyers; second, Donnie Special Jr
\. H. DOnohoe tdriver. Irwin D0nohoe); third.
Baum Special, W. Baum (driver. G. Kitten
! house,. Time, 8.55 fat.
Auto race. five miles: class d: nonsfock; free
for all-Won by Jimmie. Kline Gao Company
kiin" Car Company driver. Earl French
Irwin DOnohoe). Time. 8.OOl-5
Auto race. ten miles: class d: nonstock: free
for all-Won by Jimmie. Kline Car Company
driver. Donnie Moore); second, Donnie Special.
". n: II. Donohoe driver. Irwin DonohoeJ ;
third. Jimmie. Jr.. Kline Car Company (driver.
Earl French). Time. 1924 fat.
Auto race. five miles: class d, nonstock: free
for all District of Columbia championship
Won by Jimmie. Jr., Kline Car Company
ldriver. Earl FRENCH: second. Jimmie. Kline
Car Company driver. Donnie Noore); third
Donnie Special, Jr.. y. II. Don0hoe (driver.
Irwin Donoioe,. Time. 835 nat
Special race. motor cycle against automobile
Won by william Denham Excelsior motor
cycle); second. Jimmie, Jr. tdriver, Earl
French. No time taken.