Evening star., 1949-08-14
D. {. Derby Winner
Is Confident Today in
International Finals
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page.)
Racing starts at 2 pm. Heats
will be started down the 974-foot
track every 80 seconds. The final
race between the top three con-
testants is scheduled for about
4:30 pm. The last As minutes of
the colorful event will be tele-
vised by the American Broadcast
ing Co., and can be seen in Wash
ington over the Star television
station, WMAL-TV. starting at
Ais.
The finish also will be broad
cast by the Columbia Broadcasting
System, and carried in Washing
ton by WTOP from 4:30 to 4:45
pm.
Partly cloudy weather with
temperature in the middle sos is
predicted for tomorrow 1t has
never rained on derby day.
More than $4,000 persons are
expected to witness the thrill
packed race and the colorful pre-
derby parade. Akron hotels have
been full since Thursday, and
race tickets are now at premium.
Film start Jimmy Stewart will
again be marshal of the lavish
prerace parade Among those in
the procession will be Ohio's Gov.
Frank Lausche and Gen. James
Doolittle, leader of the Tokyo
raiders, early in World War II.
Gen. Doolittle famed speed flyer,
now is vice president of the Shell
Oil Co., which has erected service
pits at the head of Derby Downs
for the convenience of race drivers
who want to give their cars last
minute check-up.
The 37-minute parade will in
clude IL bands, several drum and
bugle corps, and giant model OF
"Old Number Seven winner of
the first derby and symbol OF the
All-American race.
Several former derby winners
will also march. The procession
will end with the traditional pa
rade of champions. in which all
the 148 coaster car drivers will
march down the specially-built
track carrying banners on which
will be printed the names Of their
home towns.
Banquet Concludes Festivities.
After the race, derby week end
ceremonies will be concluded with
the annual champions banquet at
the huge Goodyear gymnasium
here.
Nearly 1,400 guests-including
parents, newspapermen and derby
officials-will see the derby win
ner receive the gold champions
trophy. All the contestants will
be seated at a speakers table
ranging nearly the length of the
large hall. Each of the race
drivers will receive a wrist watch
at the banquet. But while this
town was gripped with derby fever.
Alfred and the other champions |
were less excitedly awaiting the !
race at Derbytown. the country
camp home of the contestants II
miles from Akron.
Alfred does little more than
fash his infectious grin when
asked what he thinks his chances
are. He has put his faith in his
carefully built car-and a lucky
penny" given him just before he
left Washington by George Olson,
who lives at 1902 Thirty first
street Sc. the same apartment
building where the Ashtons live.
The freckle faced youth isn't
sure what makes the penny lucky
but he knows Mr.. Olson's con-
tinued interest in his racing ac-
tivities has brought him luck.
He sent me a telegram just
before I ran the fastest heat of
the day at the Washington race"
Alfred said, that sure brought
me luck"
Wears Coin Around Neck.
Alfred has the lucky penny on
q chain around his neck-another !
"luck piece'-as far as Alfred is
concerned-is the floorboard of
his coaster car. 1t was carved
from a piece, of pine removed
from Henderson castle, when that
famous Washington landmark was
razed a few months ago.
The old house was famous in
Washington for years. Alfred
grinned. Maybe this little part
of it will help make me famous
there, too"
Despite his high hopes, Alfred
was outwardly as unruff1ed as
diplomat at an afternoon tea. He +
romped through the planned
games at Derbytown earlier today
seemingly unaware that his un-
official trial run time yesterday
was one of the three fastest of
al LIE COlteStdHtS.
Gets DooIittle Autograph.
Alfred had his picture taken this
morning with Ekkehard Korn-
messer. 13. winner of a coaster
Car race sponsored in Germany by
the United States Army. The
German youth, who fed with his
family from Eastern Germany in
1945, won his icountry's champion
ship last month in Munich. Nearly
10000 German boys competed in
regional eliminations, Ekkehard is
here as a guest of Chevrolet, ma
tional co-sponsor of the derby. He
will not race in the derby, how
ever.
Alfred got an autograph from
Gen. Doolittle, who was host at
a breakfast for the champions at
the camp. The former Air Force
officer also gave Alfred a book on
building things at home.
Later. the auburn haired WASH
tngton boy was given small gold
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