Stars Enter Elgin Races

When Drivers Are Given the Word By Starter Wagner, One of the World's Best Fields Will Be Off

KINGS MAY ENTER MEET

Members of the contest board of the Chicago Automobile club, who have undertaken the management of the Elgin road races to by run over the Kane county course Aug. 30 and 31, are confident that there will be at least thirty contenders for the $6,000 in prize money on the tape when Starter Fred J. Wagner gives the drivers the word. Although the solicitation of entries for the four events on the card was not started until two weeks ago, fourteen nominations already have been made and there are at least twenty private owners and manufacturers who either have made tentative entries or promised their support. The promoters have paraphrased the famliar adage to "Count that day lost when no entry is received," and they have yet to set down a day on the wrong side of the ledger. Three cars have been named for the 152.5-mile event for machines of 231-300 cubic inches piston displacement: The Fai to be driven by Fred Marhoefer, brother of the president of the F. A. L. Motor company of Chicago; a Mercer, for which a pilot has yet to be selected, and an Ohio, with John Raimey, former member of the Cino team, at the wheel. "Wild Bill" Endicott, who won fifth money at Indianapolis Memorial day, will tool the Schacht; Hughie Hughes has the Mercer mount, Gil Anderson will drive a Stutz, entered by the Chicago agent, and either Len Zengel or Charliey Merz will take the wheel of the Stutz named by the factory in the race for cars in the 301-450 divisionn which will be run simultaniously with the light-car event the first day.

Bruce Brown Entered

The same cars have been entered in and the same drivers named for the heavy-car race which will be run the second day of the speed carnival. Hughie Hughes will attempt to land two trophies in one day, as he will drive the Mercer in both the heavy-car event and the free-for-all. In the latter classic he will be pitted against David Bruce-Brown, twice winner of the grand prize, who will probably select a Fiat as his mount, and Erwin Bergdoll, the victor in the 1911 Fairmont Park meet, who will be at the wheel of his mighty Benz. Ralph Mulford has promised to enter his Knox in the blue-ribbon event, thus insuring at least four stars in this race alone. The entry of Bruce-Brown, Bergdoll, Hughes and Mulford might satisfy some promoters, but might satisfy some promoters, but not the Chicago Automobile club. Another star of the first magnitude is now sought. If money will attract him across the Atlantic, Mons. George Boillot, who wears the laurels of European champion once won by [damaged], Nazzaro and Lautenschlager in the French grand prix, will drive the powerful Peugeot over the Elgin course. The newly-crowned king of French drivers has been guaranteed all his expenses by E. C. Patterson, an enthusiastic member of the Chicago Automobile club, if he will enter the free-for-all and drive in the name of the Windy City sportsman. Mr. Patterson has twice cabled Boillot, increasing his offer the second time, and this week received assurance that his proposition is being considered.

Kings Will Meet

Should Boillot ship his Peugot across the Atlantic, the free-for-all will bring together the acknowledged champion of America, Bruce-Brown, and the holder of the European title. Bruce-Brown matched his strength and skill with Boillot on the Deippe circuit in June and was forced to bow to the Frenchman, leading the Gual at the end of the first day of the grand prix, only to be forced out of the classic by a broken gasline. It is certain that the Yankee speed king will make every effort possible to avenge that defeat and triumph over the European in their contest for world's supremacy on the Kane county course. If Boillot finds it impossible to come to America, his absence will not rob the free-for-all of its international interest. The field already is the most polyglot ever named for an Elgin race. Three nations are represented, the Benz being a German machine, the Fiat an Italian, and the Mercer an American. It was Mr. Patterson's original intention to purchase a high-powered American car and get Ralph De Palma to drive it at Elgin. The abandonment of this plan does not mean that the Italian will not be a contender in the August speed meet, however, for Wagner has wired the promoters that he is certain of De Palma's entry. The swarthy-skinned "child of misfortune," who lost the international sweepstakes at Indianapolis when victory seemed inevitable, is now en route from Europe. He is bringing back with him a new Mercedes, which he purchased for the Vanderbilt cup and grand prize races and it is thought that it will take only a little urging to induce Ralph to drive the German speed monster in the Elgin free-for-all.

Zengel Enters

The Stutz makers, by entering the "Bear Cat" in the heavy-car race, have given Zengel an opportunity to repeat his victory of last year, when he won the Elgin national trophy in the premier event of the stock chassis championship meet. The cup has been hung up for the heavy-car race this year, the Chicago Motor club, the holder, having agreed to transfer the racing rights to the trophy for one year to the Chicago Automobile club. The splendid showing of the Stutz team in the 500-mile international sweepstakes Memorial day, when Mers averaged 75.5 per hour and finished in fourth place and Zengel traveled at a rate of 73.83 miles an hour and took sixth money, entitles the "Bear Cat" to serious and respectful consideration at Elgin. Work on the course was started this weed and the roads will be ready for practice by the middle of August at the latest. Gov. Deneen has been asked to detail four companies of state troops to patrol the circuit, and there is not the slightest doubt but that the request will be granted.