NATIONAL CAR ENTERED

Topics:  Grand Prize, National

The Indianapolis Star
15 November 1908

WILL REPRESENT INDIANA

STOCK MODEL "BIG SIX" ROADSTER IS SCHEDULED TO START IN LIGHT CAR RACE AT SAVANNAH.

The only car which is to represent the vast automobile industry in Indiana in the big Savannah road race will be a National "Big Six." While this speed event—practically equal in importance to the Vanderbilt cup race—will not be run until Thanksgiving day, the National entry will be shipped within a few days in order to give the driver plenty of time to become familiar with the course.

The National entry will be a 1909 stock model "Big Six" roadster. It is a light, long, powerful car—practically a racing car—which can be used either as a two-passenger or four-passenger rig. The only change made by the National Motor Vehicle Company is in the use of lower seats for racing purposes, and the stripping off of fenders, lamps, etc., otherwise the car is strictly a stock model. The car will have the regular stock National six-cylinder engine (cylinders 5x5), about seventy-five horsepower.

Speaking of the Savannah race, George M. Dickson, sales manager of the National Motor Vehicle Company, said:

"We are not building a special racing car for this event. When we got out our 1909 model "Big Six" roadster we discovered that we had the fastest car we had ever built. We entered it in this race in the expectation that if it made a first-rate showing, if it made good time in this 400-mile event, it would be worth while even if we didn't win against the specially built foreign racing cars. Not having a special race car, we will not go to any unusual expense or make any special preparations. The car will be driven by H. M. Harding, an American driver, who drove the victorious Isotta in the Briarcliffe. He will have Charlie Merz as a substitute driver and Charles Kellum as mechancician. They will be in competition with some of the best expert racing men in Europe and America. We'd like to win if we can win with a stock model, but not otherwise, because nothing is proved by a special racing car. We believe, at least, that we can demonstrate that our 1909 "Big Six" is strong and reliable enough to stand this 400-mile race, which will be run at terrific speed.

The Savannah course has been constructed with embankments at its many curves and will be patroled by Georgia militia during the race.