The daily morning oasis., 1919-05-28
BARNEY OLDF|ELDS'
FORECAST OF BIG
AUTOMOBILE RACE

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, May 27.--
(SpeciaD The premier auto race Ct
the year will be run at indianapolis
May 81, and in the list of starter
are the names of the worlds hos
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 te
built-over touring specials.
The Indianapolis race is at SOC
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 champion.
ship affair and the variety of motors
speculation enters in the question
of what type motor will be first and
what speed will be averaged. Let all
remember this is brick course in
figuring these points, not one of the
smooth board tracks.
My predication 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
ly long distance event like this and
over a brick course / am strongly in
favor of the four cylinder motor.
This motor is supreme here. The
racing speeds a smooth motion and
less on strain which are more likely
in larger number Of moving parts.
OF course, this smoothness is more
evident in the multi-cylinder motors
at low speeds Of course the op-
~ponents 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 desirous of seeing an
American win, I am pinning my faith
in the driving of the Earl Cooper,
Louis Chevrolet, Ralph Melford, Cliff
Durant, Roscoe Carles or Lo Coco
1t will be a hard race for these fell
lows though, since Geur, winner six
years ago, is back with Peugeot,
while Dario Resta is the best ex-
ponent of preparedness in the game.
The British six-cylinder Sunbeam Is
a bear, too, am told. Boilot, Thomas
and Guyot are the pick of France,
and their cars are designed by the
man who made the Peugeots.
One thing I am sure about, and
that is it will be fast car which will
be winner. There is scant chance for
any rebuilt touring car, despite the
consistency which may be obtained
There are too many fast cars for one
of these birds to cop.
But don't expect a race at 100
miles an hour depite the fact that
most of the cars can do one hundred
and fifteen. On one of the board
tracks such is possible, but the man
who takes the low-banked turns at
indianapolis faster than eighty miles
per hour is gone. Most drivers shut
off four times to each turn of the
course and depend upon terrific speed
vdown the straightaways. Even when
on the straight drivers have to pick
their way to avoid rough spots.
Carl Fisher has always had def
mite theory that the championship
race should be test of drivers, tires,
strength and rugged construction, as
well as speed. Drivers will be under
a terrific strain, and the wise fellow
will get relief during the contest.
Weather will have lot to do with
the speed, but when man averages
eighty-eight miles an hour he will
have to drive the turns at close to
eighty and the stretches at over one
hundred and five. The brick soaks
up heat and burns tires on hot day.
If it is cool, faster time will be possi-
BILE. But for me, look for an Amer
lean victor at Lightweight miles an
hour average, in four-cylinder car.