Prior to the first Savannah Grand Prize, the magazine Motor Age describes the organisation for the race, even in the finest detail. Part from that, most of the competitirs will be presented, as well as a map of the course. Particularly, reading the list of all official members and each and everyone’s function, it becomes clear how meticulous this organsation was.
Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory
MOTOR AGE Vol. XXIV, No. 21, November 19, 1908
EYES OF MOTOR WORLD ON SAVANNAH
SAVANNAH, Ga., Νοv. 19 – Special telegram – One week from today the second big road carnival this year of the Savannah Automobile Club will be inaugurated, the curtain-raiser being the small car race which will be run next Wednesday, over a 10-mile circuit, which will give a distance of 200 miles, while the following day, starting at 9 o’clock in the morning, the international battle for the grand prize trophy of the Automobile Club of America will take place over a 25.13-mile circuit. In this big event the cars will go 402 miles. Seventeen cars are nominated for the small race and twenty will go to the tape in the American grand prix, as the Thanks- giving day event has been styled. A more brilliant field of drivers would be hard to find than the one nominated for the long grind. The roster shows such brilliant pilots as Nazzaro, Wagner, Duray, Hemery, Cagno, Erle, Hanriot, Fournier, Hautvast, Rigal, Szisz and Piacenza among the foreigners. Strang and de Palma are Ameri- cans but are in European cars, while the Yankee contingent numbers Michener, Burman, Haupt, Zengle and Harding. Of course, the small car race has not so many stars, but among those who will strive for glory will be George Robertson, winner of the Vanderbilt, who will pilot the French Gregoire. His greatest rival, Lytle, was to have been in an Italia, but the poor chap is ill with typhoid fever at his home in Toledo and is out of it. There is talk of Al Poole taking his place in the Isotta, but it may be an amateur, not named so far, that will be Lytle’s substitute.
Preparing for the Carnival
Savannah, Ga., Nov. 17 – With the arrival in Savannah last Thursday of the contest committee of the Automobile Club of America the last lap of the preparations for the American grand prix, which will be run Thanksgiving Day, was begun. Since the arrival of the committee its members have been busied with the details of the race and have worked with such good effect that the race could have been run Monday, when the racing machines were given the course, protected by 150 flagmen and special guards, for their final 8 days of preparation for the races. The flagmen and guards go on the course at 11 o’clock, protecting the turns and the parts of the course which runs through the populated districts. By common consent the road is left free for the drivers during the practice hours, and the conditions are practically the same as will prevail in the races. No chances will be taken, however, on the race days themselves, as Governor Hoke Smith of Georgia will proclaim martial law over the roads of the course and the national guard of the state, some 900 strong, will give the drivers no chance to complain of the crowds. From 11 o’clock until 12:30 the course is open to the light cars, which are flagged at the latter hour and leave the course. Half an hour later the heavy cars, which will compete in the American grand prix, are given the track and hold it until 4 o’clock, after which the roads are again thrown open to traffic.
Practice in the middle of the day is somewhat of an innovation to the drivers who are accustomed as a rule to begin their work at dawn and get away before the roads are needed for business. International signals are used on the course. They are already in place. Practically every car and driver entered is on the ground. A group picture of the drivers would show practically every notable steersman on both sides of the water with the exception of Lytle, who is reported ill with typhoid fever in Toledo, and will hardly be able to drive in Isotta in the light car race.
Extraordinary care has been taken by the local club in banking the numerous turns of the course. The Savannahians were somewhat surprised to find when the foreign drivers got on the course, they refused to wax enthusiastic about them. On an explanation being sought it developed that the foreigners took the banked turns as a reflection on their skill as drivers. Later when they became accustomed to the turns and the possibilities of sustaining speed on them, they made up in extra enthusiasm what they had lacked before. The drivers unite in saying that a speed of 60 miles or better can be sustained on most of the banked turns and agree that the winner of the race will have to do better than 70 miles an hour for the entire time of the race.
Ten Cars Will Finish
It has been announced that ten cars will be allowed to finish. Following this decision there was some difference of opinion between the officials of the A. C. Α. and the local club as to the hour for starting the big race. The New Yorkers. wanted the race started at 8:30 o’clock in the morning for fear dusk might inter- fere with some of the last cars finishing. The Savannahians wanted the race to start an hour later so the people who came in to see the race by the morning trains could get settled in their places on the stands in time for the start. A compromise was finally arrived at by which the race will start at 9 o’clock in the morning. The light car race on the day before Thanksgiving Day will begin at 11 o’clock.
Many judges have been appointed to look out for the fair running of the races. A sufficient number has been named so that they may be placed about the course. They will be expected to assist the referee by reporting on such cases as may be requested of them.
Officials of the Meet
William K. Vanderbilt, who was asked to referee the races, has been obliged to decline on account of ill health. Robert Lee Morrell has been chosen to referee the contests. The complete list of officials is as follows:
* Contest committee of the Automobile Club of America – Robert Lee Morrell, chairman; A. H. Whiting, Harry S. Houpt. H. H. Law, S. M. Butler, E. R. Hollander, S. B. Stevens, H. C. Pearson; Massachusetts Automobile Club, H. T. Clinton, secretary.
* Referee Robert Lee Morrell.
* Honorary referees – Hoke Smith, governor of Georgia; Joseph M. Brown, governor-elect of Georgia; George W. Tiedeman, mayor of Savannah; Frank C. Battey, president of the Savannah Automobile Club; Harvey Granger, chairman course committee Savannah Automobile Club; R. J. Davant, chairman executive committee Savannah Automobile Club; Е. Н. Gary, president Automobile Club of America; Henry Sanderson, vice president Automobile Club of America; Jefferson deMont Thompson, chairman racing board A. A. A.
* Judges – Harlan W. Whipple, John E. Roosevelt, E. E. Schwarzkopf, John Gerrie, E. H. Hearne, Ruben Butler, E. V. Hartford, Guy Howard, Wilkie Brown, A. R. Pardington, F. A. D. Pardington, F. A. D. Hancock, Walter Allen, Peter Fogarty, Lee Butler, E. N. Cornwell, F. X. Courteney, George W. Allen, Herman Halstead, and the field officers and staff of the First Regiment of Georgia Volunteers and the Savannah Volunteer Guards.
* Honorary judges – Walter G. Charlton, judge of the superior court Davis Freeman, judge of the city court; Henry McAlpin, judge of the court of ordinary; Paul E. Seabrook, judge of the Atlantic circuit; John E. Schwarz, judge of the recorder’s court.
* Military commander – Major William B. Stephens, Savannah Volunteer Guards.
* Engineer – W. F. Brown.
* Superintendent of arrangements – N. H. Van Sicklen.
* Technical committee of the Automobile Club of America – Henry Souther, chairman; M. Δ. Neeland, Allen McMurtry, Henry Ford and Charles G. Curtis.
* Inspectors – Theodore E. Steinway, William K. Steinway, H. R. Leiding, James Rourke, R. R. Oakman, George L. Kearne, Monroe R. Rothchild, Charles G. Wilkinson, H. H. Gaines and W. P. Berrien.
* Surgical staff – Dr. Thomas G. Charlton, chief surgeon; Dr. Louis N. Lanehart, Dr. Samuel Park and the surgical committee of the Savannah Automobile Club.
* Timers – S. M. Butler, chairman, A. C. of A.; New York Timers‘ Club, Lieutenant Philip A. Sayles, George McGraham, W. J. Donlan, Charles E. Ferry, A. L. McMurtry, W. F. Jones, S. E. Theus, S. A. C.
* Starter – F. J. Wagner.
* Clerk of the course – H. T. Clinton.
* Assistants to clerk of the course – E. C. J. McShane, A. Howell.
* Press committee – Thomas F. Moore, chairman; W. J. Donlan.
* Announcers – John S. Banks, R. C. Thompson.
* Military guard – Savannah Volunteer Guards, four companies; Georgia Hussars, German Volunteers, Chatham Artillery, First Cavalry, National Guard of Georgia, Irish Jasper Greens, Emmett Rifles, Republican Blues, Savannah Cadets, and the Oglethorpe Light Infantry, the last five companies named comprising the five companies of the First Infantry of the National Guard of Georgia.
An elaborate telephone system is being constructed around the course which will be used in keeping the grand stand in touch with the progress of the race, and by the different entrants to keep tab on the progress of their cars and to direct the drivers from signaling points as to the tactics to be employed. The grandstand already completed has a capacity of 16,000 persons. More than half the seats have been sold already.
Press Conveniences Good
Special attention will be paid to the convenience of the representatives of the press in the arrangements for the race. The press stand has been constructed quartering up the stretch so each newspaper man can note the cars approach as far as they can be seen without moving from his seat. The telephone system will be cut into the press box and two operators will keep the newspaper men informed of the happenings on the back stretches by this means. Eighteen West- Union and Postal telegraph operators will be provided in the back portion of the stand so dispatches can be handed them by the correspondents without the latter moving from their tables. Some of the correspondents are on the ground already, and making use of the newspaper headquarters which have been furnished them uptown with special wires to the telegraph offices, and other conveniences.
In addition to the number of distinguished guests shown on the list of honorary officials, the president and president-elect of the United States, the members of the cabinet, the treasurer of the United States, Governor Hughes, of New York, and others have been invited. Representatives will be present at the races from the motor clubs of France, Italy, Germany, Sweden and England.
The camps with the exception of the Chadwick, which is located at the police barracks, are around the course, and for the most part at the resorts on the salt water. This is the height of the oyster and terrapin season, and the drivers are in may cases having their first introduction to the dishes of the southland and living oysters, turtle soup, terrapin stew and other sea foods.
Last Week at Savannah
Savannah, Ga., Nov. 12-With the races 2 weeks off the drivers and cars for the light car and grand prize races are coming in on every train and boat that touches Savannah. Yesterday Chairman Morrell and his associates of the A. C. A. arrived in the city. Along with them came Fred Wagner, who will start the racers. Starting last Monday, the cars were given the right of way on the course from noon until 3 p. m. and every driver who is to take part in either of the races is on the road during that time every day.
The course, which is regarded as the best in the country, and which has been declared by every driver that has hit Savannah to be the fastest they ever traveled on, is being worked by convicts, and nearly everyone is sure of maintaining a record pace next week. During last week the course was oiled both day and night.
Among the drivers and managers already here are: Manager Whittimore and drivers Alexandre Cagno and Giovanna Piacenza, of the Italy team; Manager Willis B. Troy and drivers Arthur Duray, Victor Rigal and Lucien Hautvast, of the Clement-Bayard and de Dietrich team; Manager Newmain and drivers Victor Hemery, Rene Hannriot and Fritz Erle, of the Benz crew; Manager David Bruce-Brown and drivers Louis Wagner, Felice Nazzaro and Ralph de Palma, of the Fiat team, and Driver Seymour, of the Simplex.
Pennants ordered by the Savannah Automobile Club are now seen on all sides of the streets. The design is a handsome one. The pennant is red and has the letters „S. A. C.“ for Savannah Automobile Club, in red letters in the center on a white background, the latter being in the shape of a small pennant symmetrically formed inside the large one. Every driver and mechanic is also wearing one of them.
Tire men also are here, among those arriving today being Grapin, Verdouek and Mennier. Grapin is the inventor of the Michelin demountable rim. These men were sent over by the French house to personally superintend the tire equipment on the foreign cars. Cleland, of the American Michelin factory, with a force of men will arrive in the city during the week. With him will also come Vice-President Matlack and H. Michelin, of the company. The party is established at the Harris Tire Co.’s establishment and soon will begin making arrangements for the establishing of a tire camp in front of the In grand stand and on Ferguson avenue. In a letter received from the company Steve N. Harris, of the Harris Tire Co., learned yesterday that 2,500 tires have been shipped to Savannah.
Tire Equipment of Cars
Fifteen of the cars in the grand prize race will be equipped with the Michelins. These are the three Benz, the three Fiat, the three Itala, the two Renault, the Chadwick, the Acme, the National and the Simplex.
Photos.
Page 1.
On the left of the trophy is a view of Ferguson Avenue looking north; on the right, Waters road; in lower left, Ferguson avenue before it was improved; under the trophy, as Ferguson avenue looks now that it has been converted into a modern highway.
Page 2 – 3.
HANRIOT – WAGNER – NAZZARO – HEMERY – DE PALMA – FOURNIER – ERLE
DURAY – CAGNO – HAUTVAST – PIACENZA – RIGAL
BANKED TURN – A AND B INDICATE SQUARE TURN, C BANKED TURN
BEAUTIFUL STRETCH ON THE AVENUE OF PALMS
Page 4.
MAP OF TO COURSES THAT WILL BE USED AT SAVANNAH NEXT WEEK:
WHITE BLUFF ROAD – VERNONBURG – VERNON RIVER – MONTGOMERY 6700 FT – MONTGOMERY CROSS ROAD – WHITE BLUFF ROAD 20900 FT – STEVENSON Av. – DERENNE AVE – SAVANNAH EE ACL – GRANDSTAND – JUDGES – CITY LIMITS – CITY LIMITS ESTILL AVE 11200 PT DAL ROAD 4800 FT RACE!! COURSE OF INTERNATIONAL LIGHT CAR RACE WATERS ROAD AVE ROAD 20800 FT WHITEFIELD AVE – MONTGOMERY RD – BEAULIEU-MONTGOMERY RD. – SAVANNAH ELECTRIC CO – FERGUSON AVENUE – ISLE FROADFT KIDAWAY 4950 FT INTERMEDIATE CROSS ROAD SAVANNAH ELECTRIC CO OLD SKIDAWAY RD 4000 FT SAVANNAH ELECTRIC CO LA ROCHE WYLLY IS. AVENUE THUNDERBOLT ROAD 4000 FT WARSAW MONTGOMERY 20750 FT – OF HOPE ISLE OF HOPE RD Herb Rive – Wilmington Ri WHITE MARSH ISLAND
+Special Train Sidetrack – Railway Lines x Banked Turns
MECHANICAL FEATURES OF THE ENTRANTS IN THE SMALL CAR BACE AT SAVANNAH
Page 5.
MECHANICAL FEATURES OF CARS THAT WILL CONTEST FOR THE GRAND PRIZE TROPHY
BUICK, HEARNE DRIVING – Two AMERICAN CARS – ACME, ZENGLE DRIVING