RALPH DEPALMA BREAKS TWO WORLD RECORDS AT SPEEDWAY

SETS NEW MARKS ON BOARD TRACK BY OFFICIAL TIME

Italian Driver Hangs Up New Mark for Mile and for Twenty-Five Miles - Rickenbacher a Close Second.

BY SCOUT.

Ralph DePalma tried out his Mercedes car at the Speedway Thursday and in making his preliminary rounds set two new world's records for a one-mile circular board track. The first mark he made was following a dash of twenty-five miles with G. Decker French, official representative of the American Automobile association and two other speedway officials holding the stop watches. DePalma went the twenty-five miles in fifteen minutes, 30 4-5 seconds or at the rate of 96.1 miles per hour. The mark breaks a world record held by himself.

Following an afternoon of tryouts, DePalma announced that he was ready to make his qualifying round. He went once around the track, after being officially started by LeRoy Dunn, official of the speedway, in 35.4 seconds or at the rate of between 101 and 102 miles per hour. It is a new world record for a mile dash on a one-mile circular board track.

After hanging up this mark, DePalma made an effort to make it in thirty-five flat but was caught at thirty-six seconds or an even one hundred miles per hour.

Rickenbacher and Pete Henderson also qualified Thursday afternoon. "Rick" went the one mile in 37 seconds on his first trial and made it in 36.3 on the second attempt. The latter also breaks the former mile board track record but is under the mark previously made by DePalma. Rickenbacher's second attmpt was at the rate of 99 miles per hour. Henderson went the mile in 38 seconds on his first attempt and in 37.2 on his second.

Rickenbacher, Galvin, Chandler, DePalma, Lewis, Barndollar, Cooper and Henderson were all out with their cars Thursday but the three mentioned above were the only ones to try out for a qualifying mark.

DRIVERS ALL HERE.

The last of the drivers and cars arrived in Des Moines this morning. W.C. Barnes of Chicago, western representative of the American Automobile association, and Fred J. Wagner, official starter of the A.A.A., reached the city at noon. Ralph Mulford, winner of last years 300-mile grind, who will drive a Hudson Super-Six, accompanied the American Automobile association officials.

The Duesenberg team of racers, including Wilbur D'Alene, who finished second in the Indianapolis races; Tom Milton and George Buzane, put in appearance early this morning. Eddie O'Donnell, who was driving overland to Des Moines, was forced to board the cars owing to the rain and got in under the wire today. He will drive a Duesenberg made Hotchkiss Special, a new machine.

Ralph DePalma, who finished second last year, is the favorite for the race today as a result of his performance in trial spin yesterday afternoon. DePalma is using his Mercedes on a Des Moines track for the first time. Eddie Rickenbacher also made a test for speed and pulled out at a 99-mile-an-hour gait.

A wire was received at the Speedway offices today announcing that Henning, who is entered in the local races, was declared the winner of the Galesburg (Ill.) races. Henning and Arthur Klein were the last two entered.

Because of the fact that nineteen drivers are entered for the main event and only ten will start, Speedway officials have virtually decided to add a 25-mile contest for speed to Saturday's racing program. However, the matter will be definitely determined at a meeting of the officials with the track officials.

COOPER IS CONFIDENT.

All the drivers entered in the main event are confident of winning. Earl Cooper, who will make his first appearance on a local track in his Stutz tomorrow, shares in that confidence. The final list, despite the eliminations, is expected to be composed of topnotchers in the speed game, such as Mulford, DePalma, Rickenbacher, Cooper, O'Donnell, Christiens, et al.

Present indications are that a record breaking crowd will witness the performance of the biggest drivers ever assembled at one time on a mile track. That the speed of the winning driver will equal or exceed 100 miles an hour is the general belief of the entrants. Last year Mulford in winning the race was clocked at more than 97 miles an hour.

To avoid disputes or controversies regarding the winners, Starter Wagner brought with him a new electrical device to clock the drivers as they speed over the track. Announcers will keep the crowd informed from time to time as to the leading drivers and the time.

Precautions against accidents have been taken so as to avoid any possible repetition of last years affair. A temporary hospital in charge of competent surgeons will be installed on the field and the track has been thoroly examined by A.A.A. officials.

Roads entering the Speedway and vicinity are said to be in good condition. A new subway under the track will facilitate the entrance and exit of automobiles.

The finals in the eliminations this afternoon will start at 2:30 o'clock.

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