The Washington times., 1919-06-28

lNDlANAPOLlSt juno -OofN
E. ". Rickenbacker, Americn ACE
Of Aces" and one OF the words pre-
mier racing drivers before hCtorsook
the speed sport for the rean OF the
sky, contradicts the opinion recently
advanced in some quarters, tat auto
mobile racing serves no usful pur-
pose, and that, consequently 1t ought
to be abolished, to avoid ne recur-
renee Of such events as Tarred the
Liberty Sweepstakes race, lay 81.
at is with a good deal II regret,
says Captain RickenbackF, that
note the adverse sentimep current in
some sections against automobile
racing, as the result Of te three IA
talities that happened dFing the In
dianapolis 5O0-mile Lihrty Sweep
stakes race at indianapolis, at which
1 oficiated. as referee The death OF
any man is a sad thin, with many
pathetic consequences hits wake, and
If it served no other prpose than to
make a Roman holids, as has been
charged. with refersDe to automo-
bile racing, it would, indeed, be in
excusable.
Once Was AaS Racer.
Nov, it so happss that prior to
entering the United States air serv-
ice I was identified With automobile
racing for a good many years, and
consequently am moe familiar than
is the average indvidual with the
useful, and may ay right now in
dispensable, role plyed by the sport
in the developmentof automobile de-
sign, engineering. and metallurgfcal
discovery, as applId both to the auto
consider that a contest such as an In
dianapolis 5O0-mib race tests every
part Of a motor cars mechanism more
severely. than two years OF ordinary
usage, and you viii get an idea Of how
racing has speed up engineering
progress.
I'm the last liberty Sweepstakes
race accident bu one vas due to de-
fective wheels, wheels that appar-
emily were soun, but under :he cru
cial strain OF sustained high speed
revealed themelves in their true
light The sane wheels would have
given good service under ordinary
touring conditions for one or two
years, perhap, and then suddenly
crashed, to thewiping out possibly Of
an entire family, as has often hap
pened in touring accidents.
The discoveries OF the last In
dianapolis rice will enable wheel
manufactures to improve their
product so hat occurrences, such as
those who )noduced fatalities during
the contest will be impossible in the
open road. Who shall say then, in
view of ills fact that the Liberty
race did not serve a
useful purpose? !
PerkstIOz Of MeehanIEm.
ANY ole who drives an automo-
bile has often reflected upon what
would happen IL his steering appar-
atus woulC break, leaving him help
less at the wheel Of an uncomfortable
car, and great has been the wonder
that this delicate continuance rarely
gives any trouble. AS a matter OF
fact the perfection OF steering
mechanism is one Of the chief con-
tributions OF automobile racing to the
safety Of motoring. Designs that
were thought good engineering prac-
tice wers quickly shown to be most
when subjected to the test
OF extreme speed, and consequently
discarded before they had opportun-
every day use.
"The same thing applies to all 9TH
er paris OF an automobile with re-
spect to safety. Frames. axles, wheel
spindles, bearings, tires, the proper
design and materials for these were
arrived at much more quickly through
racing and with much less loss OF
life than would have been possible
had a1tomotive progress not had the
assistance Of racing.
ALSO don't forget that racing calls
into play the keenest engineering
minds in a constant struggle to pro-
duce more horsepower. more energy,
with less weight-an endless reach
ing jut into new fields for the pur-
pose Of increasing efficiency and
economy in gasolene consumption. To
increase engine efficiency new types
OF valve action have been invented,
different cylinder arrangements have
been tried, all kinds of manifolds
built, every piece gone over with a
view to possible improvement, while
the endeavor to reduce weight has
proved a stimulus to the metallurgi-
cal arts, resulting in the invention Of
steels Of unheard OF lightness, COM
bined with surprising strength.
THE new lightweight car of the
future, combining comfort and room
mess with low operating cost, both