Arizona republican., 1922-05-14
Eyes Of Speed World on indianapolis as Work
OF Preparation For Big Clash is Completed

scarcely country in the civilized
parts of the world which will not be
represented in the vast throng that
win crowd the grounds on this Me-
mortal day.
From $4,000 in 1911, the year of the
first 500-mile race to $4,000 last
year, the paid admissions have
grown. Speedway officials believe
that the rate of annual increase
justifies them in predicting an at
tendance this year of better than
135, 900, of which at least 10000 will
be strangers coming by auto and
train from every part of the United
States, with at least one attendant
from every enlightened country in
the world. 1t has been estimated
that each of these strangers within
our gates will spend an average OF
$50 while in Indianapolis. leaving
the city more than S4,000,000 richer
than when they came.
Real activity locally in preparation
for the big event begins each year
about May 10. Then the drivers with
their cars and crews begin to drift
in and start their workouts on the
track to familiarize themselves with
the course and to work their ma
chimes up to the point of highest ef-
ficiency for the great trial.
Care Given Running Cars
And working the car is just what
happens. No thoroughbred ever re-
ceived more careful and painstaking
attention than is devoted to cars that
participate in the Speedway contests.
Each car is assigned a garage at the
grounds and every day. when the
weather permits. it is put on the
track in tests to disclose weaknesses.
Day after day some part of the car
is torn down, rebuilt again to rem
edy the effects of wear. The driver is
working for speed and every obstacle
to it that can be overcome must be.
So, new parts are substituted as
fast as defective ones are found.
Then, as final precaution for safe
ty, two days before the race. cars
must be inspected to establish proof
that vital parts, such as the front
axle. including the sterring connec-
tions. have been replaced. The final
touch is a brake test on the morning
of the race and the sampling of gas
oline to prevent ether or picric acid
being used.
During this workout period the
drivers and mechanics, usually two
or three of the latter. one a riding
mechanician the other two. garage
men, live at Speedway City. the town
surrounding the race course, so they
may be close to their work. Some of
them never come to Indianapolis;
others make only occasional trips
when off duty. Their one purpose in
the world during this period is to see
to 1t that everything is done that
could possibly be of any aid to them
In, he u-h
preparing.
Quarters for Foreigners
The foreigners most always are
given separate quarters, away from
the other entrants, because they pre-
fer 1t, and have an entente cordiale
among themselves that is not shared
with the others. This year. as has
been the case, since the beginning Of
the war. there will be no German en-
trants. but French, English and Ital-
ian will come.
1t was deemed best by the Speed
way officials to risk no possible un-
pleasantness for the present by in
viting the late enemy to participate
in this international contest. though
doubtless the prizes are attractive
enough to have brought applications
from the Teutons, had a welcome
been extended them.
The total prize money offered by
the Speedway company is $4,000.
and in addition there are coveted
trophies and supplemental moneys to
be won The official prize list runs
from 81. 400 for tenth place to 100000
to the entrant who crosses the 500
mile line in the shortest elapsed
time after the started's red flag is
dropped.
Each year. because OF the increas-
ingly narrowed limitations, the num-
ber OF available entries for the con-
test has diminished So great has
been the growth of the automobile
industry over the world in the ten
years that the sweepstakes races
have been held that the manufac-
turers. instead of having problem
in exploiting their cars, find their
biggest task to be in keeping up
production to meet the demand
Fewer Manufacturers Enter
Back in the days when the indus
try was comparatively new, manu-
facturers sought fame and publicity
that accrued to them as a result OF
the performance of their products in
the 500-mile race. Some big man
ufacturing businesses have been
built up on the the showing made by
their contesting cars. But now. the
need for such advertising is not so
great, therefore fewer manufacturers
are eager to be represented.
Despite this difficulty. however.
sporting interests and other attrac-