Classic Motor Race

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 25 June 1938, Page 7

Classic Motor Race

r)NE of the classic motor races of the world and the most important in the American calendar, i s the 500-mile race at Indianapolis, which was decided on May 30, and won by Floyd Roberts at the record average speed of 117.2 m.p.h. Particular interest attached to this year's event because for the first time it was run under the international formula used in European racing. Previously, the American promoters framed their own conditions governing the design of the competing cars, with the result that European cars could not compete at Indianapolis unless specially designed, and American cars could not compete in European races.

By bringing some uniformity into tne design of the car s of both continents, it is hoped that there will be an interchange of cars and drivers for important events.' The present international formula introduced this year allows supercharged cars up to 3 litres piston displacement, and unsupercharged up to 4J litres displacement.

The Indianapolis “500” is one of the historic races of the world, first taking place in 1911, when it was won by Ray Harroun in a Marmon at 74.5 m.p.h. It has been run every vear since except during America’s war years, 1917 and 1918. Last year the winner wag Wilbur Shaw, in a four-cylinder unsupercharged Gilmore Special, at the then record average speed of 113.5 m.p.h. The Indianapolis track is rectangular in shape, brick paved with banked corners, and 2| miles to the lap.