The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-24
Officials authorize 100000
for Reconstruction Task
on Famed Oval.
JOB BEGINS TOMORROW
Wider Turns, Higher Walls
Planned; Better Races
Are Expected.

nlle duLO CLASSIC. Will undergo an |
byerhauling first in Is years.
Work is scheduled to start to-
morrow on the remodeling of the
four hazardous curves of the two
and-a hslf-mile brick oval. T. E
Pop Myers. vice-president and
general manager, revealed today.
Initial Improvements, to be COM
Dleted before winter at an estimated
coSt OF 500 900. include recOnstruc-
lion Of the outside of the four turns,
resUrfacing OF considerable portions
Of the turns, construction of new
type outside retaining wall on the
turns, and probably expansion of
thc safety zone on the inside turns.
Regarding Of Outside Curves
Ten feet OF brick. placed there 25
gears ago when the first paved
speedway i'm the world was con-
structed, will be removed from the
outside. or top. of the four curves.
This section then will be regarded
10 conform with the inner grade of
al turns. including approaches to
release from the turns. This re-
graded surface then will be covered
with concrete highway surfacing.
The banks OF the curves will re-
main al about their present steep
ness. but will be smoother and more
suitable for higher speeds, Mr.. Myers
SAID. There we're many rough spots +
on the outside Of the curves. where .
several feet of brick had been re-
moved after being loosened by the
expanding Of the track.
Walls to Be Replaced
The four corners of the track
each. are 1920 feet long.
Replacing the present outside re-
taining walls with higher and
thicker barriers of reinforced con-
crete and steel is one of the most
significant moves. Four men who
were killed in the 1885 race and IN
pre-race trials hurtled to their
deaths through and over the present
low concrete fences.
Johnny Harmon. young Pennsyl-
Vanian and first to be killed, tore
away more than three feet of the
wall on the northeast curve in his
fatal plunge during a practice run. 4
In the actual race, Clay Weather
". driving the same car. tore out .
another portion of the concrete on I
the northwest curve in fatal crash. 4
Bricks to BE ReIsid
Stubby Stbbletield, Los Angeles /
veteran. and his riding mechanic .
were killed in a time trial when +
their speeding machine hurtled the I
south turn wall at approximately /
the same spot where Pete KreiS and .
his mechanic were killed one year +
ago when their car shot up over the .
barrier.
The stronger and higher wall is .
expected to keep cars on the track /
an accidents Of this type, giving the /
drivers a better chance OF escaping /
wild plunges down steep embsnk- /
uents on the outside Of the oval. /
In addition to repairing the top
portions Of the turns, particular at /
tentiCn viii he paid to the middle +
part, and bricks will be relsid to
conform with the new outside i'm
provements, Mr.. Myers said.
New Safety Zone Planned
Another likely improvement is the
creation Of new safety zone on the
inside or aprons, Of the curves.
Speedway officials are considering
widening the present zones by 40
feet and hard surfaclng them build
ing new inside retaining walls 10
protect the race fans IN the infield
The turns already are so feet wide,
and this change would add much to
the safety of the contestants.
Improving of the giant speed
plant, the worlds largest. has been
under consideration for some time
Veteran racing drivers and eX-
perienced officials have conferred on
the changes, which will be super
Vised by A. o. Hastings, formerly
connected with the Indiana State
Highway Department. Mr. Hastings,
an expert in highway construction,
will work with Lawrence Welch.
Speedway grounds superintendent.
Surveyors have been busy at the
track for several weeks.
Expects Better Races
These changes are being made in
anticipation OF future speeds that
Will come with the increased eff
cheney Of motors Col Z. V. Rick
enbscker. Speedway president. said
today. Contrary 10 statements
made by inexperienced commenta-
tors, the track has not Outgrown it
self We will have these improve
ments completed in anticipation Of
one OF our greatest races next year
under the new rules and regulations
recently formulated by the Ameri-
can Automobile Association in De-
trOit. which will allow foreign COM
petition and make for a more inter
eSting race"
When built in 1910, the Speedway
course was laid for a maximum
average speed OF approximately 90
miles an hour. In recent years, the
speedier cars have boosted this mark
TO well shove 40 miles an hour.
however. despite the rough surface,
and numerous fatalities have re-
suited
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