Between 10,000 and 12,000 people witnessed the Des Moines auto races Saturday according to estimates made by Speedway officials. The receipts are believed to have approximated $25,000.
Official figures will not be available for two or three days, the amount of time required for a complete checkup. The attendance figures are based upon a rough count of the ticket stubs at the gate.
Inasmuch as the lowest admission price was $2 and the highest $4 by using $2.50 a general average, the income from 10,000 tickets would be $25,000. This estimate is a conservative one.
"Had it not rained Friday night, the speedway would have been completely paid for today," said Samuel Orloff, secretary and treasurer of the speedway association. "As it is, we will have to stage another race. I am not prepared to announce the exact date, but the event will take place some time this fall. By a check-up of the ticket stubs, I should say there were between 10,000 and 12,000 paid admissions Saturday."
O.F. Haibe, pit manager for Cooper, claimed the track was absolutely O.K. He spent several days on it prior to the race and examined it from end to end.
"There were no planks or timbers which projected and no loose planks," he said. "As a matter of fact, workmen cut down all rough places on the track prior to the race. Cooper's accident was the direct result of a blowout. The right rear tire had begun to fray and I was ready to flag Joe. When the tire blew the machine skidded and the wheel locked, because in sloughing the axle sprung and jammed the wheel. I do not believe the track management is responsible in any way."