Evening star., 1938-07-24
falling rhythmically as he strained
his mount onward


Some had been christened with fanci-
full names of their own or had been
inscribed with the names or nicknames
Of their proud owners.
Many Elaborate Cars.
A number of the racing cars we're Of
elaborate construction, beautifully
streamlined and equipped with intri.
cate devices for steering and braking.
All had been subjected to strict in
spection to see that they complied with
rules of the Race Committee and all
were carefully weighed in, with their
pilots, before the races began.
To Gilbert Await, IA. Of 1928 Thirty
fourth street NV, fell the honor Of
winning the opening heat Of the pre-
| liminaries. He nursed his red racer
down the concrete course In 46.45 sec
onds. His competitors were Carlton
Ballou, IA. of Silver Spring, Md: Paul
Arthur, 13, Of 4103 Twelfth street N. E.,
and Leonard Abel, 13, of 3403 M
street NV.
From then on groups OF four cars
darted down the starting ramp In regu-
lar heats until all of the 224 cars
had been given their chance to show
their stuff in the first set of elmina-
ton races. The boys were divided
by age into A and B classes. the A
group being from from 13 to Is and
the B group from 9 to IL.
Described on Radio.
The races were described for radio
listeners by N B. C. announcers. broad
casting over The Stars station, WMAL.
A number of the early heats were
so closely contested that photo fn-
ishes" we're in prospect, but always
the winner was able to nose across the
line few inches ahead Of his nearest
rival. The tight finishes put the crowd
on its toes-straining against the ropes
for better view of the climax
One of these close races occurred in
the sixth heat, which went to Bernard
NJ Burnstine, 9, Of 639 Franklin street
NE, with the fast time of 4315 sec
onds. Two heats later Joe Combs, II,
of 1929 Jefferson street NV, tied
Bernard's mark.
This mark stood unchallenged until
the 33d preliminary heat. won by Le-
roy Poole with his low record of 43.05
seconds. Leroy whizzed down the
course in snappy red and white car
his eyes glued on the finish line and
his face taut with determination.
Showers Interrupt Race.
Leroy was unable to keep up the
pace in later heats, however. It may
have been due to the rain or to
number of factors involved in derby
racing He made the course in 4534
seconds on his second try. which was
good enough to win the ninth heat of
that set.
The running of the first set Of heats
was interrupted for 20 minutes when
the intermittent showers suddenly
turned into torrents of rain that sent
ankle-deep streams of muddy water
coursing along the curbs of the race
course. The heavy downfall began as
the 45th preliminary heat was about
to start. The cars in this heat were
launched down the starting ramp
when it appeared the rain was about
to let up. but the showers continued
at intervals during the remainder of
the contest and finally became quite
steady as the finals were being run off.
81 Heats in First Series.
A total of 81 heats were run In the
preliminaries and So drivers emerged
as eligible for the second series of
elimination races One OF the drivers
was admitted to the second series be-
cause of a default Several Of the
heats did not have their full quota
of four racers.
1t was in the second elimination
series that young Rocca made his best
time Of the day-4376 seconds.
Bob Banning took 45ls seconds on
his second run. His brother George,
13. made his second run in 1888
seconds.
Sixteen drivers survived the second
run-offs, and these were separated
into A and B classes for the third
elimination contest Rocca was on
top of the A class heap and Bob
Banning on top of the B class after
the running Of the third set.
The stage then was all set for the
: big final race. The rain continued TO
pelt contestants and spectators alike
as Norman and Bob took their places
in their trusty cars. which had been
parked at the top Of the starting ramp
F, by race oficials. There was q brief
: final inspection of steering gears,
: wheels and other gadgets, an adjust
ment of helmets and jackets-and. at
signal of the starter. the lever was
thrown and the two cars rolled quickly
down the wooden incline and we're off
on their final dash toward the District
line-dimly visible through the rain.
Felt Fine to Win.
Bob urged his car onward with every
artifice at his command, short Of ac-
tually sticking a foot out and giving
bit of added impetus, but he could
not overtake the speedy Rocca vehicle,
which sped to well-earned victory
amid the shouts of the partisan. but
good-natured onlockers.
$ Rocca's car was quickly brought to
stop by several officials and Norman
| was hustled to waiting microphone,
, to be interviewed by N. B. C's Bill
81 Coyle Asked how it felt to be the
y winner of the derby, Norman. somo-
what breathlessly, declared it felt
, fine"
= He was greeted by his mother, Mrs.
$ Mary Rocca Parrish, and his STEP
2 father, S. J. Parrish. as photographers
snapped many views of the champ
The rain forced curtailment of
: the impromptu festivities at the finish
: line, and within very few minutes
the last of the spectators and con-
testants were vanishing from the
flooded scene.
, DEAD MANS CURVE