AIR RACE ROUND THE WORLD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17935, 31 July 1920, Page 4

AIR RACE ROUND THE WORLD.

MILLION DOLLAR PRIZESThe special commission which has been appointed by the Aero Club of America and the Aerial League of America to organise ° the First Aerial Derby round the world under the rulea of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, has issued a statement explaining its composition, the scope of the race, the rules under which it will be flown,' and-' the prizes that are to be offered. The president of the commission is Commodore L. D. Beaumont, the executive secretary Major Charles Glidden, U.S.A., and the treasurer Mr Benjamin Hillman, of New York. All the men of the commission are men who have retired from business, and none has an active -interest in the production of aircraft. It is hoped also to secure prizes to the amount of a million dollars (£200,000 nominal), so that the prize for the best record shall be at least 50,000 dollars (£lO,OOO nominal). Two hundred entries are expected. A commissioner is to be appointed to every country. The race itself will be in the nature of a touring contest, in which any person may take part. Competitors may use aeroplanes and dirigibles, and are permitted to use, also, ships, railways, motor cars, and other means of transportation io make connections between countries, but the first prize will go to the competitor who makes the fastest average air mileage. A competitor, also, will be allowed to fly from one point to another on one day, continuing at his pleasure to the next point, his time being officially taken by referees at starting and stopping places.