OLDFIELD CLAIMS NEW RECORD FOR FIVE MILE RACE

Racing Driver Negotiates Distance in 3:1 4-5 on Speedway; Nabbed

Barney Oldfield, some racing driver, who sits in his racer and chews a cigar while rounding the curved track, Monday claimed a new world's record for the five miles distance as the result of his performance Sunday on the new Des Moines speedway.

Oldfield negotiated the distance before a crowd of six thousand racing enthusiasts in three minutes, on and four-fifths seconds, averaging slightly under 100 miles an hour.

It was a varied program of auto racing and aeroplane flying that was offered to the big crowd that attended the formal opening of the speedway track. More than five hundred machines crowded to capacity, were parked in the enclosure while the grandstand was comfortably filled and every rise and hill was dotted thickly with people.

After the races, Oldfield, O'Donnell, Thompson and the other contestants were hauled into a justice court on charges of violating the Sabbath and were given nominal fines. The arrests followed protest by the Gideons to Sheriff John Griffin.

Speedway management was well satisfied with the results of opening. Officials are now turning their attention to the 300 mile race scheduled next Saturday. Drivers for the big event are arriving in Des Moines today. The elimination trials start Wednesday.

Eddie O'Donnell, DeLoyd Thompson and six motorcyclists were the other attractions besides Oldfield. Thompson gave an exhibition showing the use of the aeroplane in war-time, the dropping of bombs and demolishing of a fort. He also raced with Oldfield around the tracks besides performing numerous dips and spirals.

O'Donnell showed real skill in handling his new Duesenberg by going ten miles in fast time. O'Donnell is one of the strong drivers entered in Saturday's race.

Larry Fleckenstein, of Denver, holder of the world's records in motorcycle racing, carried off the honors in his little Cyclone machine. He captured a spectacular two mile race while Hal Ward finished first in the three mile event.

Poor roads leading to the speedway grounds compelled autoists to make a wide detour in order to reach the place. Some difficulty was also experienced by spectators in reaching the track after leaving the train and street cars.

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