Milford chronicle., 1949-01-21
Former Auto Race Driver
Wants Sport To Become
International Event In
United States
Bv Thomas A. BOyntOn

NEW YORK-LOuis (Pep) Mey-
er, one of the two American three
time winners of the 500-mile In
dianapOlis auto racing classic,
hopes for the day when auto rae
ing in the United States will be a
major international sport.
However, the erstwhile speed
demon who now is in the racing
engine (Offenhauser) business,
says differences in speedway and
motor car regulations are keeping
big-time racing in America pretty
much of an American affair"
Racing rules will have to be
made uniform before foreign driv-
ers are attracted to contests in the
United States and Americans
abroad" he says with an inter
national formula of rules there
could be a wide exchange of both
cars and drivers"
Meyer, still yOung-lOOking, thrill
ed the Indianapolis crowds in 1928,
1888 and 1886, with high-pOwered
averages of 99.48, 104.14 and 109.O6
miles-per-hOuT, respectively, on the
brick track.
/ The former champion says he has
no criticism to make of European
motors. Some are wonderful" he
says. Look at John r. CObb's rec
ord speed of neutrality-suspicious. at
Bonneville Flats, Utah, last year
Some engine there" But, he says
most European engines are built
to the requirements Of European
racing.
These regulations hold down
power. Until there is a change
and an international formula in al
rules and regulations is set up
you cant have big international
races"
: The same view is shared by Rob
ert BraytOn of the American Auto
mobile Association. I'VE want in
ternational drivers in the contests
we sanction. But under presen
rules, there is little here to inter
est them except the IndianapOli
classic. 1t is unreasonable to eX
Dect many to come over for jus
one big race" he says, adding:
I "Of course, just now there is tn
fact that few Europeans could af
: ford to race in America anyhow
But if rules were changed so en-
: CINE sizes everywhere were stand
: ard there could be more impOrtan
L events in racing"
4 Illustrating just how big aut
i racing has become in Americ;
: BraytOn says more than 10000
DersOns watched the IndianapOli
> race last year. THAT was a bigge
crowd than witnessed any Othe
single American sports event"
Brayton declares that 537 U.
races in 1948 took in S5,OOOOOO i
: admissions, and prizes were aware
ed tOtalling $1,537,OOO, not countin
individual awards given by indus
tries. It is estimated there are no
more than 100 American racin
car owners, drivers and mechai
les.
At Indianapolis last wear, 78 cal
tried out in the qualification tes
and SO were entered. The race W;
won by Maurie Ross of South Ben
Ind.
besides Indianapolis, other b
races are held each year at Mi
yankee. Wise; Arlington Down
Texas: LanghOrne, Penna.; Sprin
feld. Ill; and Du QuOin, Ill.
these are on dirt tracks. AnOth
event is an annual dash up Pike
peak. a road race. Last year,
Clens Falls. N. Y, a cross count
race was held in which several E
ronean cars were featured. In t
west. a Northern California n
car club was formed this year, al
held an 8O-mile race through mOu
famous terrain with the fast lit
British car.
Asked about the future of eros
country racing BraytOn says, "U
like Europe we have very lit
, snace for it in the United Stat
? Most of our rOadways fall und
, nolice supervision and state la
: prohibiting speeding. But inter'
: is growing"
} Bravton also reveals that sm
I car racing "is mushrOOmin
p throughout the country. In 10
+ tbore were 297 small car races
America, and 444 such events