Des Moines NewsJuly 23, 1915
FRED WAGNER TO START AUTOISTS IN RACING MEET
Official A.A.A. Starter to be in Charge Here - Pilots Arriving in City.
BY SAM ABRAMSON
Fred J. Wagner, official starter for the contest board of the American Automobile association, will be in charge when the drivers entered in Des Moines first 300-mile grind on the new Des Moines speedway, leave the starting line on Saturday, July 31.
Wagner is the most experienced official in the business. He is starter at the Indianapolis and Chicago races and only attends the big meets.
The vanguard of the automobile delegation is here. The first two drivers reached Des Moines Wednesday. They are K.H. Scott and James H. Combs. Both will drive the Anderson Special, a Kansas City car.
The Duesenberg racing team is expected here tonight. The team comprises Eddie O'Donnell, Tom Alley and Billy Chandler. Tom Cooper in his Sebring, will accompany the team.
Tune Up Cars Saturday.
The tuning up of the cars will start Saturday. Barney Oldfield's equipment will be brought to the track and the racing wizard himself will not arrive in the city until early Sunday morning.
The main body of auto drivers will probably not come before Monday. The elimination trials open Tuesday and continue until Friday when the drivers rest immediately preceding the big race.
Racing Program Sunday.
The first racing program is scheduled for Sunday when Barney Oldfield will try to smash records in the mile, five mile and ten mile distance events. He will also race with DeLoyd Thompson, the aviator. Thompson will also perform spirals in the air. Eddie O'Donnell in his Duesenberg, will give a 100-mile exhibition.