Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07
EXPECT NO CHANGE
IN RACING AUTOS
A. A. A. Officials Believe 81
Cubic Inch Cars viii Con-
tinue in Use.

As result of inquiries from all parts
Of the country, the contest board Of the
American Automobile Association has
issued statement to the effect that the
91-cubic-inch racing cars will continue
in general use, although the two-man
366-cubic inch car without supercharg-
ers Win be run in the Memorial day
grand prize at indianapolis.
At the same time the official govern
ing body of racing pointed out that it
only acts as arbtter in the matter, and
while the highly specialized one-man
cars will undoubtedly continue in use
indefinitely, the Indianapolis speedway
management has decided to change the
specifications for the 1880 grand prize.
The specifications for the 9l-inch car
were retained at indianapolis four years.
Race Contest Plans Outlined.
The A. A. A. contest board pointed out
that entrants for the Memorial day race
next year will simply put aside their 81
inch cars during the time of preparation
and competition for this event. It is
anticipated that automobile manufac-
turers will provide cars for the Indian
apolis classic because the size of the
car selected by the track management
and the fact that 1t Is two-seater have
been approved by the manufacturers as
more nearly meeting the specifications
of the average road car. Naturally they
would employ the best drivers available,
which would give these drivers an OPP
portunity to compete for the prize
money at great deal less expense than
by purchasing their own cars.
The contest boards statement con-
tinues: THE change, which has been
determined with the aid of engineering
and other representatives of some IS
factories. results in modified stock car.
The idea conforms to American needs
just as the small car idea conforms to
the needs of Europeans.
THE indianapolis speedway manage
ment, not the A. A. A., decided to for
bid superchargers for the prevailing
four-cycle engines for next years classic
the study of which the big race supplies
crucial laboratory test are more i'm
mediately important to makers and users
of road cars.
Economy Is Motive Abroad.
"The fact is that the change primarily
was due to good showmanslip, accord
ing W LIE 1nulAldpOllS naplG OIScndnB"
ing every three years, although, Incl
dentaly, the 91-inch cars did prove, Of
course, that small cars produce results
more economically.
Americans do not have to economic
as Europeans do, and the small Euro
pean cars could not cope with our topo-
graphical, distance or other conditions
as well as our cars do. What the indus
try here needs Is development work on
springing, gear boxes, brakes and steer
ing and not search for the last ounce
of economy.
"The larger cars adopted for Indian
apolis will cost less to build because
they will not be so highly specialized.
The change also means an adequate
supply Of good drivers, men who will
have had ample preparatory experience
in the two-man cars as mechanicians.
''The 366-inch specification would
permit entry for the indianapolis classic
Of cars correctly representing most of
the standard makes of road cars Of this
country as to engine capacity"