A SENSATIONAL RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1929, Page 6

A SENSATIONAL RACE

AMERICAN BOARD TRACK

THRILLS

One of the most sensational motor races in history took place 011 Die Rockingham Speedway at Salem, New Hampshire, recently. The race was a 200-1 nile event, and practically all the most successful drivers of America were participating. From the outset the pace was terrific, and the first sensation came a few minutes after the start. Fred Comer, one of the oldest and most experienced board track drivers, at tile wheel ol a Aliller froilt-wliecl-drive ear, crashed in taking one of the bends, the cause oj the accident being the bursting of a rear tyre. The car turned over three times in its mail career, and finally came to rest with tJiv. wheels' pointing skywards, and Comer, who was underneath, died almost immediately.

A few minutes later, when, there was a. hot battle for the lead, Gleason, who headed the field, struck the iron guard rail round the track, the car leaping several feet into the air and being thrown to the bottom of the banking. Gleason was shot out and car and driver rolled down the track together He was taken to the hospital suffering from a broken ankle and a sprained wrist. Ray Keceh, the world’s record holder, was just behind, and in trying to clear Gleason and his car, went clean off the boards across 10ft. of dirt on the inside and came to rest asti ide the steel rail which is placed at the side of the track for protection. He showed rare judgment, and hv the time the ear came fo rest he was not seriously injured. Directly behind Keceh was. Rol, McDonough. He struck Keeoh’s car, hut managed to keep, the right sine up and drove on to the sand at the edge of the track and: pulled up safely. Moore, who was second in this year’s Indianapolis race, was right on L..e heels of AloDonougli. and lie struck into Keceh. The car turned over, throwing Aloore on to the track and eventually righting itseli in the dirt. Afoore. however, was uninjured and immediately gained his feet and went to ini? assistance of Gleason.

At the 58th. mile. Dave Evans, piloting a rear-wheel drive Aliller, got caught in an air pocket; the car immediately got out of control and dived for the steel guard rail, which it hit with such force that tire front wheel and axle were torn completely away from the car. Evans, who at one time was a cowboy in Texas, dived irom his ear and rolled barreLlike half-way down the stretch with lii.s car but If) foot away. It was a rolling race between thd man and the machine, and the man. going at an incredible speed, was the winner by a good margin. Reaching the dirt on the inside of the track Evans was thrown, to lii.s feet, and walked towards those who were coming to his assistance. He did not even sustain a broken boneJ although he had manv minor injuries.

This last accident of a -remarkable series decided the officials- tiij bring the race to a conclusion, the distance then covered being 62$ miles.. . The race had been in progress only 32 hi in. 3sec. (117 miles per hour), which gives some idea of the terrific pace, which would have been even greater had not the drivers been forced to slow down ,on several occasions.