Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-14
PROMOTERS PLAN STOCK CAR
RACES DESPITE MANUFACTURERS
Managers of Eastern Track Preparing to
Hold Representative Contests Without
Cooperation Of Makers. ..

durance runs. Nor do these have to
be confined to his own cars. He may
go out and buy for testing purposes
any other make of car as any individ-
ual would. This is in fact common
practice whence factory experts de-
rive much instruction and many ideas
for Improvement to their own line.
The result is that the manufacturer
no longer needs to look to stock car
racing for testing the endurance OF
for he holds them every
day. The only difference Is that the
public is excluded from the one while
it may sit appraisingly by at the open
events and watch the fun.
But where does the industry enter
into the picture? The present-day
answer Is. Nowhere"
The view of the factory is that the
stock car race of today Is n highly
proposition showing a
profit for private promoters. He be-
lieves he should not be expected to
enter into it as matter of course.
but only If so inclined. and thus far
few have viewed the stock car con-
test as anything that would hold
much benefit for the maker.
Promoters Profits Opposed.
tanned as a sporting venture which
will return its coin of tribute to the
promoters of the various race tracks.
then, says the manufacturer, it ceases
to be a fit laboratory, If laboratory
at all, whence he can expect the prac-
teal data which should issue there.
from.
Another objection may be credited
to the manufacturing side of the dis
cussion. Automobile racing in any
form engenders a love of speed. 1t is
case of faster cars and drivers
capable of resting a heavy foot on the
accelerator to permit the machine to
demonstrate it's virtual limit of speed.
Mankind ever loves to be on the
move. Ancient races migrated from
place to place. 1t is in the human
blood, it seems, to seek a change of
scene and to love motion, thrills, ex-
element.
1t requires little impetus. therefore.
to develop the thirst for speed. Rather
does the student of safety look for
ways to control the rapid pace which
comes to man by nature and to direct
it into sane and safer channels. To
build cars that today will do 80 miles
an hour with ease; a few years later
to make possible 45 miles an hour
with perhaps even greater mechanical
verve and comfort for the driver; and
finally, to show in stock car races that
the passenger automobile of today
can be driven IS or 80 miles an hour
when timed accurately, says the manu-.
facturer, is to place in the hands of
the irresponsible mortal a means not
only of self destruction but of general
CONSERVATION and hazard for his fel.
low users Of the highways.
What car owner, 1t Is pointed out,
at some time does not take his ma
chine out and endeavor to find it's top
speed? 1t Is a practice of even the
more conservative type. The less
balanced driver, however. does not
rest after finding the upper strata Of
speed. He does not let the speed.
ometer needle fall back to a mere IS
or 40 and remain there. Once he has
| tasted speed, the speed-crazed individ-
ual seeks 1t more and more. His car
does so miles an hour with ease, so
he does go forthwith and forever more,
whenever he can get away with the
infraction Of thu. law.
Speed Capabilities Not Stressed.
| oIidI tIcSc pcTSOuS OS encouraged,
| or shall speed and endurance be built
| into a car and the matter permitted
to rest there? Give the car owner the
best in the way of power and fiexi.
bility for the money he wishes to
| spend, says the manufacturer, but do
not talk too much about speed. Vir.
| tually every car on the market today,
| it Is asserted, is capable of breaking
any and all speed limits. Why, there
fore. make them capable Of doubling
or trebling the figure fixed as the maxi.
| mum by traffic codes?
A comparatively few cars now are
sold on their speed qualifications.
There was a time not so long ago
| when it was quite the vogue to en-
phasize speed. Then came an era Of
| moderation and. despite the fact that
speed potentialities are increasing, the
general tendency in the industry Is to
build in the speed and say little or
| nothing about it.
There are several makes Of cars in
whose behalf vociferous claims are
made as to their pace setting quail
ties. But they show their ability on
the speedometer and continue to be
passed on the open road by other cars
whose makers offer no special claim
in behalf Of their rate of travel. The
latter type of manufacturer simply
sets out to build good car, a durable
car. perhaps an expensive one. He
endowS 1t with speed as a natural
corollary of his endeavors to give it
the utmost stamina.
Why, then, asks the manufacturer,
should the factory be expected to
demonstrate publicly. for the benefit
of the track promoter and only in.
cidentally for the qualification of
certain portion of the public, a trait
of the automobile which better would
be spoken of with less emphasis and
attention?
What is to be the outcome. the near
future will reveal. 1t is not so wide
of the mark. however to assume that
the DOGGY of having the other fellows
car pass his own is assuming less
menacing proportions for the manu-
facturer who sees his duty as one to
society as we'll as to the purchasers
of his product.
tCopyriRht 1877