The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-05-30
RECORDS EXPECTED TO
BE SHATTERED IN RACE

indianapolis. May 30.--(H0 An
army OF 100000 to 10000 persons,
each seeking a thrill, began its march
to the gates Of the indianapolis Mo-
tor Speedway today to witness the
greatest of all automobile races-4the
annual 50O-mile grind for prizes to.
falling 100000.
The race, starting at 10 o'clock, at
tracted field Of 50 drivers, the pick
of the stars of. America and Europe,
For the first time in years, however,
there were no foreign cars in the
lineup. The only European car en-
tered was French creation, and it
failed to withstand the Furnishing
qualification tests. Frank Lockhart,
a smiling California youth, remained
the last-minute favorite to win to-
days race as result of his victory
in the 1926 event, and his qualifica-
tion speed trials. Lockhart set the
elimination pace at a quarter Of a
second better than two miles a min
ute, the greatest sped ever attained
on the Indianapolis speedway. He
qualified his car at 12O miles an
hour.
Pete de Paolo, winner of the 1925
race, and Leon Duray, were aligned
with Lockhart in the first starting
row today by virtue of qualifying
their cars at 119 and ll8 miles an
hour.
Milton Back In the Game
Tommy Milton, veteran master of
the roaring road, was figured as
Lockhart's most dangerous challenger.
From all appearances Milton and his
car were prepared to give the flying
Lockhart the battle Of his career.
After an absence Of more than year,
Milton returned to the racing game
to drive car entered by Cliff Dur
ant, Millionaire Detroit sportsman.
Durant was unable to start because
of illness and Milton, the designer Of
the racer, consented to pilot it, hop
ing to achieve his third victory in
the indianapolis classic. He is the
only driver who has achieved two vic.
tories in the race.
The winner Of today's event must
circle the 2h mile brick oval 200
times to win $4,000. The course,
built Is years ago when so miles an
hour was considered fast time, is one
of the most treacherous auto race
tracks in America. 1t is rough and
!bumpy and has four turns around
which the racers speed at record
breaking clip.
Records May Be Shattered
The prediction was made that the
winner Of today's race will beat De
Paolo's record of slightly better than
lO1 miles an hour and that the speed
average will come close to 10 miles
an hour for the distance. All Of the
cars are straight Fights equipped
with superchargers and other scien-
tffic devices to increase speed. The
engines are limited, are 91h cubic
inches piston displacement and are
no larger than the power plant of a
Ford.
The race, aside from the sporting
character, is regarded as the labora-
tory Of the automotive industry. Ten
Of the cars will be powered with
front wheel drives and their perform
ance will be watched by makers Of
passenger automobiles.
The crowd which witnessed today's
event was an extraordinary one. The
spectators started lining up against
the gates last Friday in order to be in
line for good positions when the gates
were thrown open. At dusk last
might thousands were camped outside
the 280-acre racing plant. They spent
the night sleeping in their cars, and
thousands Of others, unable to OBJ
tain rooms, spent last night in the
machines parked in downtown streets.