Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-10
AUTO SPEED TESTS
MAY Be RUN TODAY
Segrava and White, Cars in
Order, Await Good Beach
Conditions.
BY the Associated Press.

BY The Associated Press
DAYTONA BEACH. Fla. March g.
With beach conditions showing slight
Improvement, Mai. II. o. d. Segrave OF
England and j. NJ. White of Philadol-
phia had hope tonight Of making Their
attempts to Shatter the world speed
record for automobiles tomorrow over
the emile ocean speedway mere.
Although the sandy stretch has lev
eled out considerably during the past
"a hours, several low spots still APP
peared along the course and there were
a few bad ridges which would prevent
any attempt at high speed.
One bad hole was directly in front
Of the grandstand. which narrowed the
beach at that point to only about ~
feet The powerful low-slung Golden
Arrow racer. which Maj. Segrave has
brought here for the trials. was gwen
a careful check today and was po-
nounced in perfect condition Tor has
assault against the present record Oh
2O7.55 miles an hour, now held by the
36-cylinder TripleX, owned by Whlte'
The TripleX also has been tuned to per-
lection and awaits only good beach and
weather conditions to defend its record
Drivers Theories Differ.
Both drivers have set out to obtain
the same objective--to increase man
land speed-but each has selected
different route. Maj. Segrave has spent
approximately 500, 600 in designing ana
perfecting his powerful car. whlch
stream-lined to perfection and IS pow
cred with 900-horsepoWer alrplane
motor. It has been pronounced as ne-
Ing the last word in racing car design
Tt, British driver contends that
no attained
less horsepower and better streamllnlhg
in overcoming wind resistance. Whle,
however, firmly believes that by using
greater horsepower, streamllnlng is not
necessary. His giant tri-motored ma
chine weighs approximately tons anu
except for pointed nose does not en-
body the streamline effect to any APP
preciable degree. ~
Segrave expects to use tires OF 10 ply,
smooth tread, with only sufficient ruo-
Der on them to make them smootn.
Built at cost of approximately ~ oou,
they measure 81 by inches, sllghIly
larger than the ones to be uSeo ny
White.
Both cars have a refrigeration cooling
system. and at the end of each trial VIII
be packed with ice to reduce the terrlhc
heat developed by the motors at the
high speed they expect to attain.
Being the challenger for the record
Mai. Segrave has been given the prlvl-
lece of making his trials first. II the
beach is in good condition tomorrow ne
will make his first appearance on the
course about an hour before low tide,
which occurs at 2:06 pm. He will make
two official runs, one with and one
against the wind, in order to establish
ar average speed. and should he succeed
in breaking the record Will return 10 tne
grandstand to receive the congratula-
fions of the city and thousands of spec
tators who are expected to be here 1or
the trials.
Must Vacate Beach in Hour.
The British driver has been allotted
one hour in which to make his trials,
and regardless Of whether he breaks the
record he must vacate the beach in
favor of Whites TripleX, which then
will attempt to exceed its own record
mark.
Sanction for the speed trials extends
to March 81. and if beach conditions
remain good the two drivers may make
as many trials during that time as
they choose, The one holding the rec
ord at the expiration of that time re-
tains the title until the next speed trials
in 1880.
Thousands of tourists were here to-
night to witness the meet and it was
expected that by the time the races
start tomorrow the sand dunes would
be lined for miles with spectators.
Among those here for the event are
Tommy Milton, veteran race track
driver, and his protege, Bob McDonough.
Ray Keech, who set the present record
in the Triplex last year and who since
has broken relations with White, also is
here to see the trials.
White has not announced who he has
selected to drive the powerful car, but
it was expected that the pilots name
would be made public soon. He has
intimated, however, that he may wait
until the time for the trials before say
ing who will drive the car. 1t is known
that ZEcDonough has conferred with
White about driving the machine but
McDtnough said tonight that negotia-
tons had not yet eliminated.
In case the beach is not in condition
for the trials tomorrow, several minor
professional races will be staged over a
half-mile course by dirt track drivers
from over the State. The races will be
competitive, instead of straightaway
against time, as will be the trials of
Segrave and White.