Evening star., 1924-07-06
MOTOR CONTESTS
SPUR PROGRESS
A. A. A. Board Report Ex.
plains Effects of Racing
and Other Events.

Some conception Of the relation of
and reliability runs to the progress
of the automobile is given in the
latest report of the contest board Of
the American Automobile Association,
just made public
No less than fourteen racing events,
commencing July 4, are sanctioned
by the contest board, while several
important events, including the In
dianapolis race, have been run off re-
Gently. 1t is pointed out in the Amer
lean Automobile Association report
that under the strict rules of the con-
test board such events are doing more
to hasten progress in automobile de-
sign and reliability than any other
single agency.
According to the report, the 1els-
mile climb up Pixies Peak at Colorado
Springs. September I, will be one of
the notable events of the year, though
the 25O-mile speedway event at AL
toona, Pa, on the same day will vie
for first place in the motoring pub
lies interest.
The contest board" declares
Thomas p. Henry, president of the
association, lis one of the most i'm
portant features of the American Au-
tomobile Association. It's work should
be followed closely by all organized
conducted under it's exacting rules
and regulations preSage coming
trends and developments in automo-
bile design and use.
Strain Upon Engine.
THE average motorist may not
know, for instance, that it is a re-
quirement of all stock cars admitted
to such contests that no taping or
winding on electric connections. etc.
water. oil or gasoline connections
shall be allowed. When one considers
the strain placed upon an engine by
up hill over mountain climb the
meaning of such a requirement is
clear. The large number of manu-
facturers claiming vibrationless pow
er plants is one result of this.
There is a healthy rivalry among
drivers for the highest number of
championship points. and it should be
noted by motorists that in addition
to skill such points depend upon safe
and clean driving. Foul play in driv-
ing disqualifieS contestant.
"A list of championship points to
date show Corum in first place with
555 points to his credit. Cooper with
535 points is running a close second,
while feHSleF is running tnlrQ Win
500 Murphy has 295 points chalked
up. Hartz ESQ. Wonderlich $50 and
Hill 40. Milton shows but so, Vail
~, Boyer To- and Durant 5. but the
:eason is still young and the situation
may be quite different when the re-
mainder of the important events have
been run off.
High Racing Stnndards.
The standards of racing in Amer
lea are indeed high. under the rul-
ings of the American Automobile AS
sociation. 1t is one of the most I'M
portant features of American motor
ing for. as the facts become known.
the general public will absorb ideas
from the race track just as the manu-
facturers have done and are doing.
For instance, despite the nervous ten
sion and physical hardships imposed
upon contestants, no intoxicants are
permitted during events.
The referee of any Three AS racing
event has the right to disqualify any
driver whose car appears to be un-
safe. The principal officer of the con-
test has the right to prohibit any
physically unfit driver or mechanic
from entering or continuing in a
race.
Fair play in contests is not mere
ty urged, but enforced. Disqualified