Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1909 — THE BIG CHASSIS RACES. [ARTICLE]

THE BIG CHASSIS RACES.

Lake County To Be the Scene of Great Auto Race In May. There will be $15,000 spent to improve lands over a course covering 22 miles of Lake county’s best roads, and including the cities of Crown Point and Lowell, will be run one of the most important raises of the season for the Cobe trophy in May. “Pathfinder” autos from Chicago carrying expert engineers went over the roads last week arranging for their improvement between now and the first of May. No less than $15,000 will be spent on road improvements alone. Embankements must be built and the roads properly graded at curves. The race wjll be given for stock chassis cars under the auspices of the Chicago Automobile Club, which has already raised a fund of $65,000 for the race which will be but a part of the expense. Lake county will probably be enriched $200,000 by the race. Eleven field hospitals will be built along the course of 22 miles and the best surgeons in the country will be in charge. Never less than two nor more than eleven men have ben killed in these races, and excitement will therefore not be lacking. Two grand stands each to seat 10,000 people, will be built along the course near Crown Point, and if options on the desired property are secured the race will start and finish at these stands. The following article from the Chicago Tribune gives an expert’s opinion of the course and some idea of the magnitude of the event: “Renewed enthusiasm over the prospects for the first running ot the national stock chassis race for the Cobe trophy was kindled yesterday by the scouting chassis race for the Indiana circuit. Four cars, bearing twenty-odd committeemen and others who are interested in the outcome of the race made the pleasant little run to Crown Point and thence over the course. Prior to this trip there had been a few lingering doubts in the minds of some ot the more cajtious over the entire suitability of the highways selected. Now there is none. The conservative Judgment of N. H. VanSicklen, the veteran motofist and the man who was in charge of the preparations of the Savannah course, pronounces the course deserving of the praise it has been awarded. “ 'lt is better than the Briarcliff course in Westchester county,” he said, “and it is at least equal to the Vanderbilt course, with the exception of the Motor parkway stretch, and it will not be as rough as the Motor parkway surface.’ ” * “In spite of the season, the roads were in good condition, with the exception of a few mile* on the east leg which were resurfaced last fall and which will require some rolling. “The contests committee of the Chicago Automobile club, Joseph F. Gunther, A. J. Banta and C. G. Sinsabaugh, will make many more such trips to the course during the coming weeks, together with Frank H. Trego, general executive of the race. Yesterday’s jaunt was purely preliminary and designed chiefly to Becure expert judgment on the course.