Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-18
EUROPEANS ENTER
BIG LIBERTY RACE
Five Stars of International
Fame at indianapolis for
500-MiIe Sweepstakes.
$4,000 PRIZE MONEY

| Judging from the scale and extern
siveness Of her preparations, Europe
is going to make her most deter
honors in the international 500-mile
Liberty Sweepstakes on the Indian
apolis Motor Speedway, May 81.
| No less than five European stars of
| international fame, together with a
small army of managers, trainers, de-
signers, assistants, relief drivers and
mechanicians, are now quartered at the
to hoped-for victory in the coming
indianapolis five-century in 1914,
contest-Rene Thomas, winner Of the
Jules Goux. victor in 1918; Dario Res
| ia. who triumphed in 1916: Albert
Guyot, who finished third in 1914,
and Jean Chassagne, former holder of
! the worlds hour record recently low
| cred by Ralph De Palma.
! The simultaneous arrival in Indi-
annapolis of the Ballot and Sunbeam
teams that will represent France and
a coincidence, raising the curtain on
the closing stages of a struggle that
began more than six months ago on
the other side of the Atlantic to OBJ
tain an duS dHldSe tIldC "OUlu nOlQ
good during the coming contest.
Machines Made Secretly.
Immediately following the signing
of the armistice, both teams rushed
speed creations for the Indianapolis
contest No word was allowed to
leak out during the building of these
cars-in fact. the Ballot team went so
far as to have them erected in spe-
cial factory and apparently for an
other organization.
Now the preliminary stage of the
contest has closed and the rivalry
transferred to the scene of actual con-
'ict. On so close a schedule has the
race been conducted that none Of the
cars have ever made theiF appearance
track, and their real performance
is as yet a matter Of conjecture. 1t
is known, however, that both the
French and English creations incor-
porate the latest principles of aviation
motor design, evolved through the ex-
perience of the late world war, and
Consequently they are expected to
prove faster than anything ever seen
on a track in America, with the pos
sible exception of De Palma's aviation
designed entry.
Tests to Start at Once.
Active tests of the cars will start
mediately. However, 1t is not ex-
pected they will give a real line on
their ability, as both the Ballot and
Sunbeam teams are anxious not to re-
veal their true strength, and it is GER
tain they will be closely watched by
their rivals. In all likelihood the cars
will not be let out to their limit I'M
less their drivers are certain that
none of the opposition is on the track.
With the Ballot and Sunbeam teams
playing detective on each other, and
using every subterfuge to gain accu-
rate knowledge themselves of what
their mounts are capable, good
deal Of finesse is going to be in evil
.ence at the Indianapolis Speedway
Of a quarter or half mile will be in.
terpolated In the midst Of otherwise
ordinary trials that will tell a signiff-
cant story to the man with a stop
watch who has been posted as to
when they are going to occur.
1t will be an interesting contest
of wits. this effort of France and
England to outgeneral the other into
the winners end of the big purse.
with the final decision withheld until
under the finish wire.
Americas Prime "Ace" to Referee.
capt. EQQlc v. ftlCkeuDdCker, AIncT-
ica's lace Of aces" has accepted the in
vitation extended him by the association
to act as referee and is expected to
prove a big drawing card for the event.
E. c. Patterson of Chicago, noted
sportsman and holder Of the cross
country record between New York and
Chicago, has been selected to wave
the checkered flag for the winner of
the race.
Fifty thousand dollars is the total
| "
to be awarded in any speed contest
this year. The purse will be divided as
follows: First, $4,000: second, $4,000:
third, $1,000: fourth, $500; fifth, $4,000,
sixth, $4,000; seventh, $500; eighth,
$1,000: ninth. $500. and tenth. $1.4o0.