Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-01
New Maxwell Record
Made by Ray I. Mcnamara
By =. W. Sullivan
Assistant Secretary, Detroit Autom,

! assistant Secretary, Detroit Automo-
bile Clnb)
| Plotting a Maxwell 1918 five-passen-
ger stock touring car. Ray F. McNa-
mara, road engineer has added to his
long string Of Maxwell records another
victory, this one eelipsingi in magnitude
Iall previous performances. Mcnamara
drove his Maxwell 8O2 miles in a nom
motor stop run from Detroit to Indian
apolis, Chicago and Detroit in 23 hours
and 9 minutes, elapsed running time
Setting out to test the roadability of
1.-THE new Maxwell model, which is lar
ger car than the 1917 type McNamara
believed he could make the run inside
"a hours. Though rain and mud were en-
countered for the better part of 10 hours
he brought the Maxwell through with
almost an hour to spare. Allowing for
necessary stops and the time the car
was in control in cities, the running
time actually was 20 hours and AZ min
lutes.
Leaving Detroit at 1905 a. m. east,
ern time, only two two-minute actual
road stops were made before reaching
Indianapolis. A small snow furry and
an electrical storm were encountered.
Mcnamara was checked in at Indian
apols at 8:15 a. m. for an average
OF 42.89 miles per hour over the 305
miles.
| Remaining in control for fuel and to
pass through the city, the car started
again at 8:45 m. eastern time and
checked into Chicago at 1:50 p. m, 202
/ irn, ln e,,, 8 A ITO
hour. Shortly after passing through La
fayette, Ind, heavy rainstorm was
encountered which continued as far as
Hammond, Ind.
! After a rousing reception at the Har-
ry Newman -Stratten Company, Chicago
Maxwell distributors, Mcnamara got
under way at 2:50 p IN. Fast time was
made to Mishawaka, Ind. Rain began
to fall again and the car and tourists
were forced to fight through rain and
mud the rest of the way to Ypsilanti.
| Despite the fact weather conditions
were extremely unfavorable all the way
to Detroit, Mcnamara checked in at
the finish with an average of BIB miles
per hour from Cicago, 295 miles. This
time is considered remarkable in view
Of the fact most Of the distance was
traversed at night through rain and
mud and over water-covered roads.
| The average for 802 miles for actual
running time was 1858 miles per hour.
For the total time the average was
34.54 miles per hour and 8 minutes.
! Conducted under the supervision of
the Detroit Automobile club, which sent
| William s. Gilbreath and E w. Sui
livan as observers, these men checked
the car in and out of the cities. The
averages were certified by them after
returning to Detroit.
The new, long under-slung rear
springs and Wheelbase six inches larger
than last year s car made the 1915
Maxwell easy to drive and to maintain
maximum speed over the rough roads
as well as the smooth high ways. This
along with the quick acceleration, easy
steering and efficient brakes made II
possible for one driver and observer tc
ride the entire distance without any dis
comfort.
Though fatigued from lack of sleep
Mcnamara declared aIser finishing the
trip that he could easily have driven
another 200 miles to bring the length
of te run over the 1000 mile mark
He also said that he believed the cal
would have covered the distance be
tween Detroit, Indianapolis, Chicago
and Detroit in 81 hours at the most ha6
fair weather conditions been encounter
ed instead of the rain and mud the rec
ord breaker came in contact with.