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Story
August 6, 1918
Perth Amboy Evening News
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey
What is this article about?
Sheepshead Bay Speedway announces the first Eastern auto race where drivers fund their own $25,000 International Sweepstakes prize by each putting up $2,000, set for August 17 with heats for top speedsters capable of 110 mph.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
NEW STYLE FOR AUTO SPEEDERS
Fast Drivers Asked to Put Up Own Money for the Next Race.
For the first time in the history of automobile racing in the East, the fastest drivers in the world are going to race for their own money. This is the announcement made last night by the management of the Sheepshead Bay Speedway. The race will be held on Saturday, August 17, and will be known as the International Sweepstakes. It will have a valuation of $25,000.
Under the conditions of the race only the fastest and most daring drivers will be invited to compete. It is planned to invite only those having cars capable of attaining a speed of 110 miles an hour. Each driver will have to put up $2,000 and the Speedway management will add the balance to make the total $25,000.
Heretofore the drivers have always demanded and obtained large bonuses as well as prize money. It remains to be seen how they will take the revolutionary plan. When some of the drivers were sounded on the proposition they refused to give immediate assent to the proposition. A driver loves the money, and dislikes the idea of having to put up his own currency in order to compete. But the rich prize is expected to lure them into the Sweepstakes.
It is planned to have the race at five heats, varying distances from two to fifty miles, the winner to be determined by the point system of scoring, so many points being allowed for each finishing in the heat. The entries will be kept open until August 10. It is expected that all the drivers invited to compete will enter.
Fast Drivers Asked to Put Up Own Money for the Next Race.
For the first time in the history of automobile racing in the East, the fastest drivers in the world are going to race for their own money. This is the announcement made last night by the management of the Sheepshead Bay Speedway. The race will be held on Saturday, August 17, and will be known as the International Sweepstakes. It will have a valuation of $25,000.
Under the conditions of the race only the fastest and most daring drivers will be invited to compete. It is planned to invite only those having cars capable of attaining a speed of 110 miles an hour. Each driver will have to put up $2,000 and the Speedway management will add the balance to make the total $25,000.
Heretofore the drivers have always demanded and obtained large bonuses as well as prize money. It remains to be seen how they will take the revolutionary plan. When some of the drivers were sounded on the proposition they refused to give immediate assent to the proposition. A driver loves the money, and dislikes the idea of having to put up his own currency in order to compete. But the rich prize is expected to lure them into the Sweepstakes.
It is planned to have the race at five heats, varying distances from two to fifty miles, the winner to be determined by the point system of scoring, so many points being allowed for each finishing in the heat. The entries will be kept open until August 10. It is expected that all the drivers invited to compete will enter.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Adventure
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Auto Racing
International Sweepstakes
Sheepshead Bay Speedway
Drivers Entry Fee
Prize Money
What entities or persons were involved?
Management Of The Sheepshead Bay Speedway
Where did it happen?
Sheepshead Bay Speedway
Story Details
Key Persons
Management Of The Sheepshead Bay Speedway
Location
Sheepshead Bay Speedway
Event Date
Saturday, August 17
Story Details
Announcement of the International Sweepstakes, a revolutionary $25,000 auto race where invited top drivers each put up $2,000, with management adding the rest; five heats using point system; entries open until August 10.