FLYING CORPS OF DARING RACING DRIVERS PLAN IF WAR COMES.

Topics:  Eddie Rickenbacher

The New York Times
February 18, 1917

War would put a damper on automobile racing for the coming season. There is a movement among racing drivers and their mechanicians to enter the flying corps of the United States Army if this country should be drawn into the war. Eddie Rickenbacher, who recently returned from a two months' stay in England, where he found that aviation had enlisted the services of many men formerly connected with motoring, is the sponsor of the plan. Rickenbacher said:

"If war is declared I will enlist at once for aviation work. I have already had some experience. I leave for the West tomorrow, where I shall see many of the boys and at once put the matter up to them. I think many of them are looking at it just as I do. War would practically put a stop to racing, and we have a training that our country would need in time of war. We are experts in judging speed and in motor knowledge. This is also true of the mechanicians, and I am sure we could all quickly qualify for aviation work. I expect to get up a body of not less than fifty of us who will volunteer if war is declared."

Rickenbacher left for Detroit Friday morning.