The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-05-29
CLEAR WEATHER IS DUE
FOR 5OO-MILE RACE, SAYS
FORECAST; CARS READY
Thousands Pour Into City
for Spectacular Speed
Chase Tomorrow.
RAIN Is HELD UNLIKELY
Attendance Record May Be
Set; Conditions to Be
Ideal for Drivers.

today, cheered by thrill-hunt-
ing thousands who flowed
into the city from all points
of the compass.
Anxiously they awaited the green
flag at 10 tomorrow morning which
will send 80 death-defying race
drivers bulleting around the ancient.
bumpy Speedway bricks in their
500-mile chase.
Fair weather is promised for the
annual claSsic-the American Grand
Prix-with conditions ideal for both
the drivers and cars.
Despite threatening skies this
afternoon, there is little likelihood
that rain will interfere with the
race, according TO J. H. Arlington,
Federal meteorologist Race day
will be cloudy and cool, he said, with
showers probably late in the after
noon.
A field that has had no equals in
the % years of speed struggles here
will battle for the 100000 prize
money that bangles at the end of
the oily rainbow. From top to bot
tom, it's the greatest, fastest fleet
ever qualified for the annual motor
marathon.
Slowest speed in the 25-mile quail
flying test. to get into the lineup was
110.519, turned in by Bob Sail, Pat
erSon IN. j. dirt track star, in one
of the four front-drive Ford va
Miller Specials which made the
grade.
12O Is Fastest Speed
From here, the field ranges up
ward to the sensational 120.736 mile
an-hour mark which won for Rex
Mays, 22-year-old California comet.
the coveted No. l spot. In between
is galaxy of veterans and recruits
who survived the gruelling trials.
Average speed of the 80 quail
fers was 1892 miles an hour.
more than two miles an hour faster
than last year. Only nine of the
starters are making debuts in the
race.
Three former winners are in the
pack, including Louis Meyer, 1928
and 1888 victor; Wild Bill Cummings,
popular 1884 champion and Fred
Frame, who triumphed in 1882.
Record Likely to Be Set
With little cooperation from
the weather man, the 500-mile record
Of 104.865 miles an hour, established
by Cummings, probably will be swept
of the boards. AS last year, the
ultimate winner is expected to lay
back for the first $50 miles, conserv-
ing gas, car and physical strength
for a last half, hair-raising battle.
There are others, however, who
may elect to go after the early rec
ordS. Three bitter rivals of count
less West Coast battles are riding in
the first row. All are heavy-foot-
ed front runners an dtheir early lap
battle is expected to provide one
of the major thrills of the classic.
They are Mays, husky AL Gordon
and Floyd Roberts, wheeling finely
tuned little creations capable Of
more than lib miles an hour.
With forecast of fair weather, a
crowd equal TO or better than the
record 10000 of 1881 is predicted by
Speedway officials. For the last
month the seat sales have run more
than 10 per cent ahead of last year.
Five choice grand stands and the
select parking places were sold out
early.
Downtown Streets damned
Downtown traffic today assembled
New York's Times Square at the
theater hour, with cars bearing the
licenses of nearly every state dot
ting the jam. The city took on its
holiday air early and the overcast
sky and dreary weather failed to
lessen the visitors enthusiasm.
In preparation for the record
crowd, the most elaborate safety
plans in history have been COM
pleted. City and state police will
join with National Guardsnen TO
protect the speed fans, and .he State
Police radio will be brought into use.
Chief Mike Morrissey has issued
strict orders to stop all gate crash
ing. Last year a serious accident
narrowly was averted when crash
ers ran across the track while speed
ing machines were tearing around
the oval.
Mass 10 Be Celebrated
At the Speedway plant the roar Of
motors was hushed. Workmen busily
scrubbed the bricks to remove the
oil sprayed in the practice and
qualifying runs. The drivers were to
meet at l this afternoon for their
final instructions.
For the first time in history, mass
will be celebrated for the compet-
ing drivers and mechanics. The Rev.
Joseph " Sommes of Holy Trinity
will conduct the services tomorrow
morning at 4 and Z.
German Monk Given 10 Years
By United Press
BERLIN, May 29-Otto Goertler,
Franciscan monk known as Father
Epiphany, was sentenced today to
10 wears in prison and fined heavily