Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-14
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN


truly representative stock car races,
or whether the attempt to revive this
variety of automobile competition will
continue alphabetically. is nearing a
settlement.
Promoters of a large Eastern race
track are challenging the manufac-
lures who have kept aloof from events
so far. Officials of this speedway
plan TO hold a racing program on
Labor Day and, 1t Is authoritatively
promised, any desirable car not en-
tered by a factory will be purchased
outright by the speedway company
and placed in the lineup.
Regardless of whether manufac-
turers like it or not. whether they en-
ter their cars or decline to participate,
there will be assembled in compe-
tition q group of automobiles pep
resentative of stock sizes. prices and
power. Fours, skies and Fights are
being listed from which to select the
entries for three races designed to
show an American public what the
cars they drive will do when leaving
the same starting line with the OPP
portunity of being driven wide
open."
Thus far there has been no open
break between the manufacturers and
the speedways. The makers have been
asked to compete and in most instan-
ces they merely have neglected to &C.
cept the invitation. Now the matter
is progressing toward a swift crisis.
The makers are being asked to par
ticipate, but in all but few instances
will decline to enter. Then they are to
see their own cars placed in the races,
not under factory supervision but un-
der other auspices.
Expect to Force Hands.
Certain makes may show poorly de-
spite their sound construction and
generally satisfactory performance.
In such cases the definite displeasure
of powers in the industry is certain to
be visited upon promoters Of such
contest, since the manufacturer views
stock car races as being no longer
productive of useful information and
race tracks continue to be CONNER.
cialized sport emporiums conducted
for profit.
The motive prompting this policy
of forcing the hands Of the manu-
facturer is the belief that the man
who drives a certain car would like
to see 1t matched with others whose
speed and endurance he has question
to test effectively.
Promoters Of the Forthcoming
| events believe that the public wants
stock car racing and wants it invested
with as great diversity as possible
They view the public demand also
as calling for spectacle which Is
not confined to one or two makes OF
stock car but for one which includes
| perhaps a score OF name plates whose
excellence in various classes of price
and structural fineness is acknowl
edged. If diversity is there. they con
tend, public interest will follow.
The recent renewal of stock cal
competitions began with high hope:
for the revival of this branch of the
automobile racing sport.
Hope for Competition Wanes.
"Now," said motorists to themselves
1--WE shall see what these cars can d.
another in the open and where speet
will be limited only by the enduranc,
of the cars themselves"
But followers of stock racing for
tunes soon became less hopeful. The,
soon saw there was less future to tn
revival than they had expected. Blu
why? Was there no public interes
in the possible achievements Of tn
everyday product of automobile gen
ius? Or was it the manufacturer VIII,
was the stumbling block to the de
velopment of something which. had g.,
sporting side as well as a practica
value of showing just what various
cars can do?
To the close observer who follow
carefully the ebb and flow Of automo
%fvyA f,N1,~ So
tors must be taken into account il
evaluating the trend of events sine
stock cars again were placed on au
tomobile race tracks to regale tn
throng that thirsts for speed.
First of all, it must be remembered
that stock car racing Of the presen
day Is vastly different from that o
two decades ago. Then the track wa
the laboratory of the industry. From
the races came much needed knowl
edge of tire endurance. carburetion
fabrication and other important me
chanical functions. 1t was something
upon which the manufacturer wa.
greatly dependent for technical in
formation predicated on practice.
Situation Changed Today.
Today the situation is changed con
| SlucIdUly. Has UtGH d SEed
deal learned about cars. They hav,
been subjected to innumerable test
which have proved more than a few
hours of competitive running could do
What tires can stand, for instance, has
been shown at treble the speed which
was attainable by stock cars in thu
old days Of racing passenger auto
mobiles.
Now the manufacturer has his owl
proving grounds. and right here i
may be said that this constitutes al
important factor in the makers spirit
of aloofness which has characterized
his attitude toward reviving stock cal
contests. Today he builds his owl
race track, where all sorts Of test.
may be made under the observation
of experts in whom he reposes con
f1dence. These testing tracks repre-
sent large investments made in the
interest Of constructing dependable
machines. There it is that the manu-
facturer holds his own private en-