Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-31
BY BONITA WITT
Central Press Staff Writer

OL1O. LAlQ.. MAY IL
America. the land where woman l.
to legend. has one spot where her
ladyship is decidedly de- top, the
inner sanctum Of the indianapolis
motor speedway.
It's all very well for her 20 deck
herself out in her most fetching
rainment and occupy a prominen.
place in the grandstand to view the
running Of the annual internG-
tional 500-mile classic. but venture
into the paddock and the pits
Speedway officials insist it lust
isn't being done" And that ex-
plains the sadness OF pretty Mrs.
Alice Hoffman-Trobeck green eyed
and blonde.
Ever since Louis Chiron Who
holds the French racing champion
ship. began to drive for Ise- nus
band. who owns a large spark plug
factory in France, three years ago.
she has been with Chiron in his bit
in eeery race. doing his timing.
signalling him by means of a black
board. seeing to his personal reeds
and supplying him with delectable
tidbits Of chicken and liquid re-
freShmenSs ia brief moments of
respite.
Unaware CT Taboo
When Chiron decided to come to
America to rIt his car agins5 the
Yankee variety on Memorial day.
Mrs. Hoffman-Trobeck cane with
him to assist in his training as she
had done throughout Europe when
her husband was too occupied with
other business. They were unaware
OF the taboo at the IndianOoliS
track. For many years the fem
mime contingent has been kept
from crossing the track into the
paddock. lest some frail sister in
dulse in Mysteries should a smash
up occur.
But protested Mrs. Hoffman,
Trobek. who was born in the Unit
ed States, but has not been on
these shores Stree she went to raris
with her parents. at the age Of
two years. Il have real business in
the pit on the day OF the race.
Chiron speaks no English nor does
our mechanic. There Is no one
we a use in my place. 1 am not
a flaprer seeking publicity. This
is a business proposition, Chiron IS
a director in my husbands ON
pany and 1t Is necessary that I
work with him the way I always
have TO protect u interests"
But speedway officials remained
cbdurate and the matter has been
placed before the A. a.. A. commit
tee which passes the race rules.
AS we fingered rel a lunch pre-
pared by the giften Chiron. who
sets the hearts Of feminine France
to pit.er-pattering when ne flashes
around the track in his blue car.
wearing a blue sweater and a red
neckerchief. Mrs. Hoffman-Tro-
beck told Of racing in Europe and
translated the rapid-fire comments
CT the racer.
Later. as we sat in the stands at
the track. watching Chiron travel
ing around the oval. lap after lap.
trying 20 accustom himself to the
unfamiliar conditions. Mrs. Hoff-
man-Trobeck told Of her start as
a member Of a racing
Prepares Lunch for Chiron
1T was just an accident. Some
thing happened 20 our timer and
I took his place. I found 1t thrill
ing and I began to study racing.
NY husband is not fitted tempera-
mentally to stand the strain OF
working in the pit on the day Of a
race: he will not join me Memorial
day. So it falls upon me to see
that Chiron Is taken care of prop
erly and I even have a lunch for
him. Other drivers usually prefer
not to eat, but not Chronic
munches on a leg of chicken or
drinks a glass Of champagne al
most every time he pulls into the
pits for rspairs or gasoline"
Tsssse have been dull DAYS fo
Mrs. Hofiman-Trobeck. who II
used to intense activity for weeks