Ready for Endurance Run

This article was originally published in the July 18, 1909 Indianapolis Star and describes the arrangements for the 388-mile Cleveland-to-Indianapolis endurance run that was a prelude to the first motorized competition at the Indianapols Motor Speedway on August 14. These races and the endurance run were sanctioned by the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) - the national governing body for the two-wheeler community. FAM was also holding its national convention in Indianapolis the same week as the competitive events.
 
The actual descriptions of the Cleveland-to-Indianapolis run fail to mention many details included here, such as point of departure being Cleveland's Hollenden Hotel. The first day's run ended in Columbus, Ohio after passing through the towns of Wooster and Coshocton of the same state. The second day had check points at Springfield, Ohio and Dayton, Ohio as well as the Indiana towns of Richmond, Liberty, Connersville, Rushville and Indianapolis.
 
The endurance go was limited to amateur riders with bikes not exceeding 61 cubic inches and they were not allowed "auxillary parts," which I take to mean replacements. They were allowed "efficient mufflers" and road equipment that conformed - in every respect - to catalogue specifications. There were two classes of bikes - A & B. It is not clear what attributes defined the classes.
 
Seals were applied to the timers, battery boxes, magnetos and cylinders. Penalties in the form of points would be assessed by FAM officials to anyone breaking these seals. These points ranged from 15 for breaking a timer seal to 100 for breaking a cylinder seal.
 
Gold medals were awarded for perfect scores in both classes. Silver medals were available to riders  finishing with a score of not less than 900 points. I believe but am not certain that each competitor started with 1,000 points and then collected demerits for mistakes or mechanical flaws. Bronze were to be presented to any rider finishing within two hours of the time scheduled on each day.