1916 Match Race at Alcyon

(From Russ):  This Senior Moment is made up of segments of a letter written to family relatives on February 18, 1985, by a man who was present for the match race featured in the photo above.  In his late 80's at the time, the letter is priceless and contains many more historical details about the speedway and cars, than is being presented. A debt of gratitude is owed to the Bill White family of Mullica Hill, N.J. for sharing this family treasure many years ago.

I am in a 100 foot radius of those automobiles. It makes me think of a dollar bill along side of a $1,000.00 bill.

The person who could not remember the result of the race must have owned a Packard or other high priced machine. I do not know if it was a standing start or running start, but I do remember when they came out of the dust around the first corner, the model T was at least 10 feet ahead and running away. I don't remember the length of the race, most likely 10 laps, 5 miles, or more. The driver of the Ford never saw the back end of the Mercer. He would slow down and let Stratton catch almost up to him and then run away from him several different times.

On a mile track I think Stratton would have won. The Mercer had too low a gear ratio. Stratton had a very good idea to overcome the low gear ratio. The Mercer was a right hand drive with the gear lever on the outside along with the hand brake. It was a standard shift like now. With the clumsy low speed R.P.M. but durable engine, it would be too slow on the long curve of the far side of the track. He had person in those times called a mechanic with him on the left side. The Mercer had a 1/2 0r 5/8" cross bar on its radiator cap about 7 inches long, cross wise to the hood. None of this shows in the picture but a rope was tied to the gear shift handle, went ahead to the radiator cap under the cross bar and the back to the riding mechanic. When Stratton thought it was far enough around the first curve he somehow signaled the mechanic to pull the rope and gear lever into second gear to get quicker pick up. It seemed to work out all right. The trouble was the Ford T was just plain quicker. That sharp first curve was the trouble.

Now I get to Mr. Green. I remember him that day as a man between 40 and 50 years, medium size. I heard he was a machine shop man and made the camshaft in the Model T himself. The man who told it ridiculed the idea. He said Green cut the cams with a file before he hardened them. I believe he did. After all somebody had to hand make them on the first auto.

If you look close in the picture the back spring is the usual shape except its ends are near parallel to the axel putting the back end about 4 inches lower. That also takes some of the bend out of the universal joint, giving slightly more power and a smoother flow of power to the back wheels. The top of the hood looks like it slants to the back. A very close look does not show the gasoline tank. I remember the driver just sat on a board. That I had forgotten but it came back to me. Notice a long and round tank like object alongside of the right side of the engine. I do not remember it, but it could be an old motorcycle tank. As to the ignition and carburetor I remember nothing.

I never heard of anything dishonest or dirty about the race. It was just a case of the right piece of machinery for the particular job.

Senior Moment By: Russ Dodge

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