The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-11
Rebuilt Curve
Aids Pilot in
Near-MiShap
Mackenzie Loses Control at
Speedway, but Pulls Out
After Dizzy Spin.
BY HARRISON MILLER


Doc Mackenzie and the 500-mile
racing gentry at the indianapolis
Motor Speedway today are stamping
an emphatic approval on the i'm
provements made on the brick oval,
following yesterdays near-brush
with tragedy on one of the death
curves"
The Eddington Pa.) bewhiskered
pilot, who is to drive Kelly Petillo's
car which won the 1895 classic, en-
countered the first mishap of the
practice season yesterday without
injury to himself or damage to the
car, and proved that the elimina-
ton of one of the brickway's worst
hazards already has compensated
the cost Of repairs.
Goes Into Spin
Mackenzie averted serious
crackup by masterful maneuvering
on the erstWhile dangerous northwest
curve where the late AL Gordon
vaulted the wall last year and many
other drivers have hurtled to disas-
trous landings. Riding high on the
outer rim of the brick saucer at
speed of approximately 100 miles an
hour, Doc lost temporary control and
the right rear wheel slid toward the
retaining wall.
The car dashed sideways for ap-
proximately 500 feet, spun complete
ly around, tossed up a curtain of
dust and headed for the inside
apron of the track.
Mackenzie righted the car and
jockeyad it out of the dust screen
to safety and pulled up to the pits
for inspection. The mishap occurred
late in the afternoon on the fifth
lap of scheduled 100-mile test
run.
Steps Up Speed
The eastern speed champion
started the run at a 16-mile-per-
hour clip on the first lap, circled
twice more at 1865, boosted the rate
to 119 on the next and was gather
ing momentum when he let the
machine get away from him.
Doc admitted that he grew too
confident and was tramping the ac-
celerator too heavy for his first day
in the seat of Petillo's car. Billy
Meeks, young Los Angeles driver
who accompanied Petillo here as
mechanic, was riding on the right
side of a race car for the first time,
but retained his composure and
came up with smile and a Slight
ly burned elbow which touched the
exhaust pipe.
Several cars were on the track
yesterday for warm-up runs, but,
with the exception of the Petillo
stable, most of the time was spent
in tinkering on parts. Many of the
drivers were out of town for the
races at Atlanta, Ca, and the mid
get auto events at Chicago.
Duray's/ Cars on Track
Leon Duray had both of his
Bowes Seal Fast Specials on the
track, and Cliff Bergere and Herb
Ardinger, who will drive them in
the 500, cruised several laps, but
did not wind them up. Roy Paint
er also took several spins in his
American Twist Drill Special. and
the Debaets Special which Harry
McQuinn drove last year and is to
have Emil Andres of Chicago behind
the wheel this year, was out for
short spin.
Petillo, however, was on the track
most OF the afternoon giving the car
rigid test and inspection. The ma
tional racing king took each of his
mechanics for a ride and then, with
Mackenzie at his side, turned sew
eral circuits at l13 miles an hour.
Mackenzie, out to get the feer'
of the car and track, was timed on
several laps at 116.
Both drivers amplified the pre-
vious statements of drivers that the
curves are safer and faster.
Less Skidding, Petillo Says
The new asphalt composition
which has been spread over parts
OF the curves gives greater traction
tran the brick surface. Petillo said
that the rear wheels bite" into the
track and do not skid as much as
on brick.
Activities at the Speedway are ex-
pected to increase this week as
garages tune up for the opening day
of qualifications next Saturday. With
the exceptions of several drivers who
have entered next Sundays events
at Langhorne, Pa, nearly every one
is expected to get out on the oval
for the first gasoline opd e,1ooJ