same this racing' on the Indian
apolis motor speedway that was
baptized in blood and lived up to
its baptism ever since. -There
was plenty of entertainment, of
Roman gladiator and Spanish
bull fight sortr only more thrilling
to jaded nerves.
Several tims a' rush of people
to the far side of the broad in
field "brought the occupants of
grandstands and boxes eagerly to
their feet with binoculars. They
held their breath and bandied sur
mises as to what speed maniac
had teen suddenly sponged off
the list of contestants.
-These incidents, however, mere
ly marked th.e demolition of rac
ing automobiles each worth a
small fortune.
It was Luck alone that cheated
Death of his usual tolh' -Once, a
huge -car hurtled up the steep
curve of the track at one of the
turns, struck the cement coping
at its rim, snapped off a telephone
pole like a toothpick and came to
a staggering stop. The driver
clung to his steering wheel and
his mechanic sprawled across the
tracks Neither was seriously
hurt
Later, another monster dived
pfE the track into the paddock and
it turned-over, but Death was in
Bad luck "again:
.' To malce this speed Iuria6y holi
day, 27-automobile manufactur
ers and private owners spent $1.,
000' apiece for the privilege of
nominating machines" for' ihe
race. Three entrants failed to
each, for repairs, fuel and! assist
ants in the "repair pits Two of
the racing machines, cost $35,000
to build. A fair average .valua
tion would He $8,000. Four cars
skidded off the track and were
wrecked. A dozen more were
disabled before the race was over.
Thef depreciation in value of every
automobil in the contest was over
50 per cent.
Oh, it wasa great day for burn-,
ing up money !
Some of the vast crowd had
driven, far over rain-soaked roads.
Others came in Pullmans and day
coaches. One railroad ran over
50 special sleepers from Chicago
alone. Hotel accommodations
were exhausted, and hundreds
slept in waiting rooms or sat up
all night The spectators paid
from three to nine dollars for,
seats. Some paid as high as. $100
for transportation.
Restaurant tables were sold at
a premium by head waiters.
Thirst dispensers worked in re
lays. Everybody bet.
Pew cared to wager that the
race would be run without fa
talities, but much money changed
hands on the number that would
be killed and injured.
Take it aM around this annua!
race meet is a far better drawing
card than a bull fight: and be
sides,, bull fights' are-prohibited by
law. Who wants to see a bull
prodded to death, anyway, when
iic -m jcc no incnpir tneir wits
against Death, with tires that
burst and steel that crumples,'
And Death may be more lucky
next uecoranon aay
qualify. The remaining 24 ex
pended another thousand dollars
7714. u(aXzCocl71
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