The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-30
HOMER [. GEORGE PREDICTS OUTCOME
 0F SWEEPSTAKES
Does Not Believe Ralph De Palma Capable of Win ming in His Light
 Racer
By HOMER c. GEORGE

Louisville May 29.-(Special)-I am on my way to Indianapolis for the big international motor championship
 sweepstakes which will be contested Saturday. I want to get in personal
 touch with the famous drivers there and before the race will not only tell what is happening in preparation but give some predictions as to the out come,
 This years race promises to exceed any ever run over the noted brick oval. No entry list has ever carried the cream of the worlds driving stars as does this All the speed dare devils of worthwhile ability are entered with the single exception of my old star, Barney Oldfeld, and Barney has abso- lutely retired and has entered the tie business as president of a big manu- featuring company
 The race Saturday will be a test of motors which should bring about de- cision as to the effectiveness of the dlf- ferent size engines in long, gruelling | test. There are fours, sizes, eights and twelves and they represent the ui- timate in designing, England, France, Italy Belgium and American types and I designs are all to be tried: and 1t will | be most interesting to get the results. l First, I want to point out the fact ( | that the Indianapolis track is not cap able of the speed which is possible on | the plank courses at Sheepshead Bay, | Chicago and Cincinnati The course IS brick and nothing like so scientifically | banked as the other tracks mentioned. | On the other hand it is more trying on cars, drivers and tires. On hot day 1 this brick surface fairly eats up tires, consequently this will not be a race I Nf -%, r~1D h fn1
 brains. endurance and luck play big part.
 | And brains a plenty are in the list
 of stars who will face the starter. O1 the Americans I say ofr-hand that we | must depend upon the veterans-De- Palma. Louis Chevrolet, Earl Cooper | Ralph Mulford, Roscoe Sarles. Howdy Wilcox Tommy Milton and Eddie | Hearne. England will have Jean Cans. segne and Dario Resta, France hat Louis Wagner, Jules Goux, Alber Guyot, Rene Thomas and Paul Balbot l Other countries have their greates pilots. Because of this preponderanct | of skill, experience and brains I do no look for an outsider to upset the beans
 With a great majority of the publi'
 Ralph DePalmer is picked as havins
 the best chance of any American. Thi
 because of his wonderful driving abil [ his aviation motored car. But I can
 not agree with the public, despite m.
 unbounded admiration for Ralph.
 simply cannot see how his light en zine will be able to stand the gruellins hardships enforced by the Indianapoli
 track. I will say this, however, if hi
 car does stand up he will be the bo. !, to beat. He certainly has the spec,
 and skill
 If America gets the honors this tim I am inclined to say that Louis Chevro let, Earl Cooper or Roscoe Sarle , will be the three to bring the baco l home They have sturdy cars, equal t
 all the speed of which the track
 capable. Their motors of four cylinder : will be able to stand the strain bet ter. But I do not want to make a pre-
 diction until I visit the track and SC
 the drivers working. I will be ther , Thursday morning and will be able t T get all the dope during the day. M . predictions will follow.