The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-31
OLDF|ELD BETS ON
4CYLINDER TO WIN
By BARNEY oLprIELp

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, May 81
The premier auto race Of the year
will be run at indianapolis today,
and in the list of starters are
the names OF the worlds most noted
pilots. The running OF the event is
the outstanding motor affair OF 1919
and in the cars which will be started
is every variety from fours to twelve
special racing cars to built-over
touring specials.
The Indianapolis race is at 500
miles, and this running will be the
first since before the war Because
OF the stars who will start. the i'm
portance of the race as a champion
ship affair, and the variety OF mo-
tors speculation centers in the ques-
tions OF what type motor will be FIRST
and what speed will be averaged. Let
all remember this is a brick course
in figuring these points. not one OF
the smooth board tracks.
Thinks G41 VIII Win.
Ny prediction as to motors is that
a four-cylinder car will be first As
to speed. ] should say lightweight
miles per hour average will be the
best possible, though track and
weather conditions may change my
ideas on this latter point at the last
minute.
For racing purposes. and especial
~ a long distance event like this
and over a brick course / am strong
~ in favor Of the four-cylinder mo-
tor. This motor is supreme here. The
racing speeds a smooth motion and
lessons strains which are more like
~ in a large number of moving
parts. or course. this smoothness is
more evident in the multi-cylinder
motors at low speeds. OF course the
opponents to this argument have a
good contention in that their moving
parts are lighter and under less
strain than the four-cylinder car.
For this reason and because I am
tremendously DESTROYS OF seeing an
American win. ! am pinning my
faith in the driving of the Earl Coop
err. Louis Chevrolet. Ralph Milford.
Cliff Durant. Roscoe Sarles or lie
Coco 1t will be hard race for
these fellows. though, since Goux.
winner six yeaFs ago. is back with
Peugeot. while DariO Resta is the
best exponent OF preparedness in the
game The British six -Cy Under Sun
beam is bear too. | am told. BoilIot
Thomas and Guyot are the pick OF
France. and their cars are designed
by the man vino made the Peugeots.
One thing an sure about. and
that is it viii be a fast car wnich
will be winner. Thrre = >cInt chance
for any -e5uu. Iorrlrs ca despite
nc consistency which rlhy b. OBJ
tanned. Thee n" to many fast cars
for one OF 'hnSe BIZ J., tu COT.
Don't Expect Fast Time.
But don't expect a rae at 100 miles
an hour. despite the fact hat most
Of the cars can do 115. On one Of
tho board tracks such is possible. but
the man who takes the low banked
turns at Indianapolis faster than
eighty miles per hour l. gone. Most
drivers shut of four times to each
turn OF the course and depend upon
terrific speed down the straight
always. Even when on the straights
drivers have to pick their way to
avoid rough spots.
Carl Fisher has always had def
mite theory that the championship
race should be a test OF drivers, tires,
strength. and rugged construction. As
we'll as speed Drivers will be under
a terrific strain. and the wise fellow
viii get relief during the contest.
Weather will have a lot to do with
the speed, but when a man averages
eighty eight miles an hour he will
have to drive the turns L close to
eighty and the stretches at over l05.
The brick soaks up heat and burns
tires on a hot day. II II Is cool,
faster time will be possible. But
for ne. | look for an American vic
tor at ciRhty-cight miles an hour
average. in Il fOur-cyllndcr car.