How The Vanderbilt and Grand Prix Races Were Secured
William L. Hughson Has Put San Francisco on the Motor Car Racing Map
San Francisco thinks, eats, drinks and lives nothing but automobile racing at the present time. The fact that for the first time in the history of the Vanderbilt and Grand Prix cups these trophies, the most important in the automobile history of the world, will be contested in this city, has turned aside the thoughts of the man of the West from other pleasures and the more serious thoughts of business.
These races will be fitting to mark the early days of what has been acknowledged to be the greatest exposition the world has ever known, and while many felt that, considering the importance of the occasion it would be nothing but natural that those who control the destinies of these cups should have granted this city the privilege of holding the contests, they were not secured without a struggle.
San Francisco has never been badly "bitten" by the motor racing bug, and contests of this kind have never been profitable. Southern California has spent thousands and thousands of dollars in advancing the interest in this sport, and this section of the State, with its just claims, came very near securing the contest for 1915.
That this city will hold these events has only been made possible through the public enthusiasm of Wm. L. Hughson, for years identified with the automobile industry on the coast.
While East in January, 1914, Hughson took up the subject of securing these classics for San Francisco for 1915 with Fred J. Wagner, the famous starter. At that time plans were formulated to ask the Motor Cups Holding Committee to award its sanction, providing it would be satisfactory to the A. A. A. officials and the drivers.
On returning to San Francisco in February it was suggested by a member of the Press that it would be a splendid idea to have the races here. The scheme was taken up with the Motor Car Dealers' Association, and they were very enthusiastic, agreeing to give their support and electing Hughson chairman of the committee to secure these events.
In order to find out what the feeling amongst the drives might be, Hughson made a trip to Los Angeles and interviewed them after the Vanderbilt and Grand Prix was held at Santa Monica.
Hughson made the trip, and while there found that San Francisco was going to have strong opposition from Los Angeles. So thinking to harmonize matters, he suggested to the Los Angeles committee that they should ask for the Grand Prix race and we would ask for the Vanderbilt.
Returning to San Francisco with Wagner and some of the drivers, Hughson went over the situation, and it was decided to select a course through Golden Gate Park. Then it occurred to him that it would be a splendid drawing card to hold it in the Exposition grounds if possible. The matter was taken up with Hollis E. Cooley, chief of Special Events, who was very enthusiastic. He presented the matter before the Exposition officials, who were finally induced to join the Motor Car Dealers' Association to promote the races.
The next step was to secure the sanction of the Motor Cups Holding Committee. After an exchange of a number of telegrams, it was found necessary that some one should go East to attend a conference on April 23d.
Hughson was appointed to make the trip, accompanied by Hollis E. Cooley. On arriving, much to their surprise they found the meeting had been postponed for one month—at the request of certain San Francisco people, who wished to hold the events for personal gains. When it was explained to W. K. Vanderbilt, Jr., he most kindly had H. P. Anderson, secretary of the Motor Cups Holding Committee, set the date of the meeting ten days later, giving all who had applications in, time to arrive.
Vanderbilt assured Hughson that he was in favor of giving the events to the Exposition, and v/hen the meeting finally took place, he showed his loyalty by inducing the rest of the committee to not only give us the Vanderbilt but also the Grand Prix event.
In order to do this, it v/as necessary for the committee to change the distance from 8 miles to approximately 4 miles, which was as long a course as was possible inside the Exposition grounds. This is the first of these races that was ever attempted on an enclosed course, and the result will be eagerly awaited with interest.
It has been customary to have these events starting at daylight, so as to have clear roads and avoid accidents, as they were run over public highways. Those who have been fortunate to attend the events in the East will remember well leaving New York in the middle of the night in order to secure good locations and be on hand for the start.
Now the Exposition will give this Coast a chance to see these two big events comfortably and safely, having the United States Government troops to patrol the course.
Grand stands with seating capacity for 75,000, protected by heavy wire netting and steel rails three feet from the course, will give absolute protection.
Shot the Tire
Officer C. R. Fisher had an experience recently with a speed violator that will be remembered by the fast driver for some time. When Fisher called him to halt, the man stopped the machine and quickly jumped out of the car, thinking something was wrong with his machine, and when told that he had violated the speed law and was under arrest, the man became angry and stated that he would not accompany the officer to Lodi; then jumped into the car, which was a self-starter and tried to run away from the officer, who quickly drew his gun and shot a hole in the rear tire, after which it was no trouble to catch the man again, and the penitent one then offered no resistance to accompanying the officer to Stockton, where he appeared before Justice Parker.
The automobilist, who happened to be Edward L. da Roza, a winery and vineyard man residing at Galt, was brought before Justice Parker. He was released on depositing $50 cash bail, and his trial was set for a later date.
