The Star Press du lieu suivant : Muncie, Indiana • Page 25

1 THE MUNCIE STAR MUNCIE, INDIANA, SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 1958 Ed Elisian Suspended by USAC Indefinitely After the Ball Suspension Warranted but How About Others? By Bob Barnet SPORTS SUSPENSION of Ed Elisian was a completely logical move on the part of the United States Auto Club but it won't bring back Pat O'Connor, a great little guy who should never have O'Connor's tragic death in a 15-car pileup on the first lap of the Indianapolis 500-miler Friday was caused by two things--an unbelievably bad start and a driver who scorned the rules of safety. Elisian should have had illustrious company in his suspension. The USAC should have sidelined Dick Rathmann and Jimmy Reece, who joined with Elisian in giving the 1958 race the worst start in history. Elisian's suspension was labeled as "indefinite." The Californian should make it definite by announcing his permanent retirement from auto racing. With speeds increasing year by year there is no longer room in the Indianapolis field for drivers who care nothing for their own lives or the lives of other drivers.

the late Wilbur Shaw pointed out in the traditional drivers' As the day prior to each 500-miler, the Indianapolis race is meeting dash for midget cars on a fifth-mile track. There can not a 10-lap be no bumping and banging at 170 miles per hour The same warnings, were sounded by officials before the, 1958 race. Drivers that cars would be close together the and fully loaded with highly-inflammable fuel. imOfficials start plored them to drive carefully through the first lap. Elisian, in the words of Dick Rathmann, drove into the And so at speed 50 miles an hour too fast to get his racer third turn a around the corner.

result was one of the most frightful wrecks in racing hisThe rivalling the most enthusiastic efforts of the people-killing tory, road race drivers of Europe. If the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is to be anything more than house in the future, the system of starting must be a slaughter at and effort must be made to rid the race of changed once every the driver who lives by the creed, "Get out of my way or I'll put you over the wall." If the race is to maintain its position as one of the world's greatest sporting events officials must insist on a return to sanity. Next it may be all 33 cars, with none left to run the race. And there will be a next time! DISSENTING VOTE FROM THIS CORNER My friend Charley Brockman, publicity director for the United States Auto Club, joined with Art Collier in an excellent post-race television program via WLW-1 Saturday night. expressed the opinion that any tieup between the Brockman amateurish start and the chain-reaction wreck was purely conjecture.

I disagree violently with him on this. The bad start DID have bearing on the wreck and Shorty Templeman, one of the drivers a involved, told story in a few terse sentences quoted by United Press writer Ed Sainsbury in his report of the race. "I never saw so many race cars go in so many he said. "Nobody was giving anybody anything down that backstretch. would hate to have another start like that.

The race should "I going six and eight abreast and have been stopped. They only a miracle could have were, something from happening." There it is, by a man who was in the middle of it. Sent away field became even more confused in the run down in confusion, the the backstretch. Few drivers were in position at the start and they hurled themselves into the tragic first lap like stampeding steers. abreast they were, on a track built for three! Six and eight START MUST BE CHANGED Confusion has marked the start of the race since a change was single-file start last year.

In past years the cars were made to a their to the track and lined up in 11 rows of three. pushed from pits At the signal engines were started and the cars were sent away in an orderly fashion behind the pace car. Only one pace lap was necessary to get the field on its way. Last year the pit area was separated from the track by a and grass with an opening far up the narrow strip of concrete of the line of pits and another almost to the first track at the start turn at the south end of the pit area. Under the new system the cars file out of the narrow pit runone by one.

They are given an extra lap to find their positions way and supposed to get away on the second time around. are Theoretically it ought to work, but it hasn't, not last year and Last year Elmer George, was involved in knocked him out fthe race even started. certainly not this year. a tangle that the old system of lining up the cars on the To return to strip it is necessary only to cut one or two entry-ways racing the grass and concrete strip and push the cars through these through onto the track. Simple? Of course it's simple, perhaps too simple.

JOY BOYS RUINED START Dick Rathmann, Elisian, and Jimmy Reece ruined the start this by sprinting far ahead of the pace car on the first lap year becoming separated from the remainder of the field by a and half lap. the field came past the stands for the first time Dick When Elisian and Reece were over on the backstretch. Those Rathmann, thought surely that the three first-row drivers would watching, their places in the second lap. moyeut they didn't. When the field roared out of the northwest turn at the end of the second pace lap, the lap on which the green flag was to have been dropped, the three rugged individualists who made the first row again were over on the backstretch, half a lap out up of position.

Starter, W. H. Vandewater, holding the green flag and the flag in his hands, watched them come at the end of that yellow second pace lap. The pace car swung into the pits and the drivers stepped up their speed in anticipation of a race start. But Vandewater saw that his entire first row still was missing.

He hesitated and it was almost possible to read his thoughts. Shall I send them away or will it be another lap? At the last possible second he threw the yellow flag, signal that the field was to go around again. Some of the drivers appeared to think the race was under way and cars in the rear rows began accelerating. Vandewater waved his yellow flag furiously. Around they went again and somewhere over on the backstretch the drivers realized that they had not been given a start and slowed their pace as they attempted to find positions lost in the scramble at the end of the second pace lap.

Soon they came out of the northwest turn onto the straightaway and Vandewater, poised on the inner wall at the line, grasped his flags tightly. But his first row still was missing! Then they came around the turn far behind the field -Dick Rathmann, Elisian, Reece, hurrying to find their positions before the field reached the line. Halfway through the stretch Rathmann darted past the field on the outside, crossed in front of the leaders, and plunged into his pole position. Elisian and Reece came from somewhere, thundering past the other cars in a frantic effort to find the places in which they belonged. The three leading cars were moving much too fast for a proper start and the field was a disorganized, milling mass behind them.

Vandewater looked over his field and again he hesitated. Then he threw his green flag and the race was on and they were away to destruction and death. With Rathmann rushing into the lead and Elisian close behind him they all got around the first turn somehow, and the second. Please Turn to Next Page 'I Told Dick Says; Start Not Connected With Crash '500' Steward Asserts INDIANAPOLIS (UPI) -Speedway officials Saturday night were considering disciplinary measures against two other drivers involved in the worst 500- mile auto race crash in history. Chief Steward Harlan Fengler said he might take action against pole-sitter Dick Rathmann and Jimmy Reese, who along with Ed Elisian, bolted from the starting apron ahead of the pace car.

Fengler absolved Elisian of any blame in connection with the fiery crash which took the life of Pat O'Connor. Drivers polled by United Press International agreed that no one pilot was to blame for the mishap, but they disagreed on whether it would be wiser to return to the old start, with all cars lined up on the home stretch for the pace lap rather than filing out of the pits single file before forming 11 rows of three abreast for the flying start. By DALE BURGESS Jimmy Bryan of Phoenix, drivAssociated Press Sports Writer ing the only car of the first seven that INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Ed Elisian, missed the wreck, won the race. a big and bitter man, was barred Satur- Pat O'Connor of North Vernon, day from competing in any auto races one of the nation's outstanding drivers, sanctioned by the United States Auto died in the worst crash-in number of Club as a result of the 15-car pileup Fri- cars -in the Indianapolis Moday in the 42nd 500-mile Memorial Day tor Speedway's 47-year history. classic.

The 200-pound, 31-year-old Elisian, SPORTS SPORTS New World Mile Record Missed World, U.S. Marks Fall in Cal Relays By HAL WOOD Tabori moving up. The time for They knocked two-tenths of a won the distance medley relay United Press International MODESTO, Calif. (UPI)--Herb Elliott, Australia's Miracle Miler, failed to dent the four-minute Saturday night in the California Relays but he won the event in about 10 yards in. front of place Laszlo Tabori Hungary.

other The chance for a sub-four minute mile was ruined during the very first quarter when no one in the crack field of distance men wanted to take the lead and the lap time was clocked at 62.5. Burr Grim, former Maryland ace, finally took over and led for all expect the few yards of the first half-mile with Elliott, who was clocked in 3:57.8 in the Coliseum Relays, running easily at his shoulder. Just before the half was reached, Elliott took the lead with Grim dropping back and Marhoefer's Win Opener in Loop Play. The Muncie Marhoefer Packers opened their season with a 15-1 victory over Noblesville Saturday night at McCulloch diamond. Dean Campbell went all the way for the winners and compiled 21 strikeouts.

Jim Smith of the winners hit a home run. Charley Hodson of the Muncie team got four hits in five trips and scored four runs. Muncie got 19 hits, the losers only six. The Marhoefers will play Kokomo at 2 p.m. Sunday at McCulloch.

Summary: NOBLESVILLE AB Wease. rf. Butler, rf. Hall, Ault, cf. Coles, 85.

Smoot, 2b. B. Randall, 1b. Bardsley, Jellison, 1b. Bryant, 3b.

Sigman, p. B. Randoll, 1b. Totals .36 MUNCIE AB 88. Holdren.

rf. W. Rearick. Campbell, C. 1b, in J.

Smith. 3b. Dean Burgauer, Campbel, 2b. p. gO Readnour, cf.

McDonald, If. McKinley, If. Totals .45 15 19 Noblesville .001 000 000- 1 6 Muncie 410 024 40x-15 19 E---Hall, Smoot, G. Randall: Hodson, Hodson, Rearick, a J. Smtih, Burgauer, J.

Smith, McDonald. RBIBurgauer, Readnour, Holdren, 2. 2B-Hodson, Rearick, Readnour, McKinley. Holdren. 3B J.

Smith, Burgauer, Sigman. HR- J. Smith. SBSigman, B. Randall, W.

Campbell. J. Smith, Burgauer, Readnour. SFHoldren. BB- Rex Sigman, 4: Wendell Hall, D.

Campbel, 1. SO--Sigman Hall, D. Campbell, 21. HORex Sigman ,12 in 5 innings; Wendell Hall, 6 in 3 innings. R-ER-Red Sigman, 10-8; Hall, 5-3; D.

Campbell. HBP-(Readnour) by hall. Sigman. WP-Sigman, D. Campbell.

PB -Bardsley. W-D. Campbell Sigman (0-1). U--Leonard and Shelby, Pat O'Connor to Be Buried Near Shaw NORTH VERNON, Ind. (UPI) -Pat O'Connor, killed in the Memorial Day 500-mile auto race at Indianapolis, will be buried Sunday only a few hundred feet from his idol, Wilbur Shaw.

Services the 29-year-old race driver will be held in the North Vernon Baptist Church at 2 p.m. (CDT). Burial will be in Vernon Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Analice; a son, Jeffrey Scott, 18 months; his mother, Mrs. Kenneth Roseberry and a sister, Mrs.

Patsy Rine, all of North Vernon. Shaw was killed in a plane crash near Decatur Oct. 30, 1954. Jeffersonville's Bill Johnson Is No. 9 All-Star INDIANAPOLIS (UPI)-Jeffersonville's Bill Johnson, who learned the finer points of basketball from his father, Saturday was selected No.

9 player of the Indiana high school All-Stars against Kentucky June 21 and 28. Johnson, a 6-1 sharpshooter, averaged 17.4 points per game last season. He is a clever ball-handler and has a nifty, one-hand setshot. I Bill Johnson, his father, coached Jeff's hardwood quintets for seven years and now is the school's athletic director. Muncie Teamsters Beat Wabash Yentis Travis Jones' infield hit scored Ralph Undum with the winning run in the last of the eighth to give Muncie Teamsters Local 369 a 4-3 extra-frame triumph over Wabash Yentis Saturday night at Heekin Park.

Dick Clevenger was the winning hurler in the Central Indiana Softball League contest, striking batters. Undum was his receiver. The winners got five hits and committed one error. Hipsher was the losing hurler, with Hettmans his backstop. The losers collected nine bingles and I errored twice.

the half was 2:05.3. By the end of the third lap, Elliott had boosted his lead to about five yards and he moved steadily ahead. on the final lap. The time for three-quarters was 3:05.9 while it was 3:46.8 for 1,500 meters. Behind Tabori came Velisa Mugosa of New York University and Czechoslovakia; Stefan Lewandowski of Poland and Zozoslaw Kryzkowiak of Poland.

The top finishing American was Joe Villareal of Texas, who came in sixth. National and world records were set in the sprint and sprint medley relays by Abilene Christian College of Texas. Abilene Christian, with Waymond Griggs, Bill Woodhouse, Jim Segrist and Bobby Morrow running 100 yards each in that order, won the sprint in 39.7. second off the mark jointly held by this team and the University of Texas. Oklahoma State was second with a 40.6 and Fresno State third.

California's fine squad set a new national mark of 3:18.8 in the sprint medley relay. With Don Bowden, only United States citizen ever to crack the four-minute barrier, running the final half mile in 1:49, the Bears knocked of a second off the mark of 3:19.5 which was set by the University of Oklahoma earlier this year and now is up for approval. The first 440 lap was run by Jack Yerman in 47.1; Monte Unshaw ran his 220 in 21.9 and Willie White covered the same distance in 20.8. USC finished second, 50 yards back. The Southern California team 'Let Me 2 United Press 'International Telephoto by Horace McCoy Cardinal Wally Moon (20) seems to be holding teammate Joe Cunningham (28) to the wall.

Both were going after an inside-the-park homer I by Orlando Cepeda in Saturday's game with the Giants. That's the ball bouncing off the wall at right. ST. LOUIS (UPI)-Wally Moon, St. Louis Cardinal outfielder, suffered a possible fracture of the humerus of his left arm Saturday when he collided with the left center field wall in Busch Stadium.

Moon, in center field, and Joe Cunningham, in left, were chasing a towering fly ball off the bat of Orlando Cepeda of the San Francisco Giants. Both Moon and Cunningham hit the wall as the ball bounded off above them. They fell one on top of the other, and Cunningham got up to retrieve the ball which went for an inside park home run. Play was halted while Cards' trainer Bob Bauman assisted Moon from the field. He was taken to Jewish Hospital for X-rays.

Chicago teams won the pennants in the first year of play in both the National and American Leagues. 28. Ed Elisian, $3,179 29. Pat O'Connor, $2,574 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Bryan of Phoenix, and car owner George Salih of Whittier, Saturday night picked up a record $105,574 for the Arizona cowboy's victory Friday in the 42nd 500-mile auto race. The total purse of $305,217 also was a new record.

The previous highs last were $103,844, won by Sam Hanks," last year's total purse of $300,252. The purse included $193,667 paid by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, $28,000 in return of entry fees, $30,000 in lap prizes and $53,550 in accessory prizes. Bryan's probable share under the usual driver's contract would be over $42,000. He also won the Pontiac Bonneville pace car, a shelf full of trophies, a $1,000 wardrobe, a deluxe tool chest, an arc welder and accessories, a riding lawn mower and assorted merchandise and gift certificates. The prize list (generally 40 per cent to the driver and 60 per cent to car owner): 1.

Jimmy Bryan, Phoenix, $105,574. 2. George Amick, Venice, $38,374. 3. Johnny Boyd, Fresno, $24,999.

4. Tony Bettenhausen, Tinley Park, $17,199. 5. Jim Rathmann, Miami, 399. 6.

Jimmy Reece, Indianapolis, $8,699. 7. Don Freeland, Indianapolis, $6,999. 8. Jud Larson, Tampa, 049.

9. Eddie Johnson, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, $5,999. 10. Bill Cheesbourg, Tucson, $6,399. 11.

Al Keller, Green Acres City, $3,919. 9:52.8. Despite the disappointing time seconds off the national record- the final lap of the race was a thriller between Max Truex of USC and Ty Hadley of Occidental. Truex started the final mile lap with a 20-yard lead. But Hadley steadily closed the gap and passed the diminutive star with about 400 yards to go.

Truex took a breather and then came back to go ahead with 200 yards left in the cat and mouse strategy battle. Hadley then saved for an all-out push with 100 yards to go and went in front. But Truex, the NCAA two-mile champion, had saved enough for the stretch and won by a stride. He was unofficially clocked in 4:11.9 for the distance. The meet finals were being held under cloudy skies with a slight breeze blowing across the field.

ANDERSON, Ind. Ellis Herbert, Rushville, won the roadster feature at Sun Valley Speedway Saturday night, leading home Bill Dickerson, Richmond, and Earl Day, New Castle. Heat winners were Bob Guffey, New Castle; Herbert, and Dickerson. Bernard Pine, Anderson, won a trophy dash and Briar Johnson, Richmond, took the 15- lap semifinal. A memorial service was held for Pat O'Connor, killed in the 500-mile race at Indianapolis Friday.

O'Connor formerly drove roadsters at Sun Valley. Roadster racing is scheduled for next Saturday night at the Anderson oval. Summary: First heat 10 laps-Bob Guffey, New Castle, first; Darrell Forshee, Muncie, second; Pete Jackson, Greenfield, third. Second heat race, 10 lapsEllis Herbert, Rushville, first; Earl Day, New Castle, second; Rector, Yorktown, third. Third heat race, 10 laps- -Bill Dickerson, Richmond, first; Wendell Falls, Indianapolis, second; Claude Colville, Anderson, third.

Trophy dash, four laps-Bernard Pine, Anderson, first; Ellis Herber, second; Marvin, Rector, third. Semifinal, 15 laps--Briar Johnson, Richmond, first; Bill Dickerson, second; Earl Day, third. Time-4: 11.53. Main event, 30 laps-Ellis Herbert, first; Bill Dickerson, second; Earl Day, third; Wendell Fall, Indianapolis, fourth; Bob Guffey, fifth. Ellis Herbert Takes Feature at Sun Valley George Amick Wins Rookie Award Prize INDIANAPOLIS (UPI)-Little George Amick of Venice, runnerup to Jimmy Bryan in the Memorial Day 500-mile race, Saturday night was unanimously given the "rookie of the year" award at the victory supper here.

Amick, a 33-year-old, 5-foot-5 veteran of 12 years of racing, lead the Indianapolis Speedway race for 18 laps. His second-place finish was the highest since the late Mike Nazaruk duplicated the feat in 1951 when Lee Wallard won the classic. "Amick received $38,874 for his second-place finish, including the $500 rookie prize. Amick drove a car owned by Norman C. Demler of Niagara Falls, N.

in this year's race. The car was one of a handful with a new-type lay down engine, the same type in Bryan's racer. The 142-pound driver was third in the national championship standings last year and was fourth in 1956. I who holds the speedway one-lap qualifying record, was quoted after the accident as saying that he started into the turn too fast. But Saturday Elisian told the Associated Press: "I don't know why I lost it (the car).

"I had driven through that corner faster. I have had these dogs (race drivers) spin in front of me and run me through the wall on other tracks. It sure wasn't intentional. I liked O'Connor as well as anybody." Were Friends Also bitter was Dick Rathmann of Miami, whose car was cut almost in two by Elisian's in the collision that started the rightful chain of wrecks. Dick and Ed had been almost inseparable friends in the three-week practice period.

Rathmann explained the horrifying wreck (two photographers became ill) this way: "Elisian had the lead in the second (southeast) corner, but I passed him on the backstretch. "I backed off at the second bush past the cross (a slow-down marker erected originally for the late Rex Mays) to go into the turn normally. "Elisian went around me on the inside. He was going 50 miles an hour faster than he ever could go through that corner. He made no effort to back off.

I tried to go outside to miss him, but Elisian's car knocked me into the wall. Then I blacked out. "Elisian hasn't had a smooth lap this month. I told him he'd better keep it smooth during the race. UPI Telephoto ED ELISIAN One-Armed Allen Heath Nabs 500-Mile Midget Race RIVERSIDE, Calif.

Allen Heath, one side, driver, outlasted strong bid of Jim Hurtuvise North- to compete. the CURTIS TURNER FAVORED Sat- IN "OLD DOMINION 500" MARTINSVILLE, Va. (UPI)Curtis Turner, the Roanoke, speedster who won the last three NASCAR convertible races he has entered, looks like the man to beat in the third annual Dominion 500" at the Martinsville Speedway June 8. But Turner will face stiff lenges from more than 45 drivers, including top stars of both the convertible and NASCAR Grand National circuits. Time trials for starting positions are scheduled Saturday.

winner of the open top races at Datyona Beach, Wilson, N.C., and Darlington, S.C., this season, is slated to team with Joe Weatherly of Norfolk, Va. in the "500." The Virginia pair, who finished one-two in the "Rebel 300" race at Darlington, will drive 1958 Fords. Bob Welborn of Greensboro, N.C., winner of the "Virginia 500" Grand National Race here eariler this season, and the point leader in convertible standings, is rated a top challenger. "Most Honorable Guy' urday to win the first 500-Mile Midget Auto Race staged at Riverside International Raceway. Heath had to regain the lead five times, after pit stops and because of the duel with Hurtuvise, of Lennox, Calif.

But Hurtuvise was knocked out of contention by a spin near the end of the race. Second place in Saturday's event went to Parnelli Jones, Venice, with Joe Benter, San Diego, third; Lloyd Corbin, Bell Gardens, fourth, Buddy Lee, Los Angeles, fifth. There were no serious accidents, although Bob Markins, Riverside, suffered burns when his car caught fire. The time for the race was 5 hours, 58 minutes, 44 seconds. A small crowd estimated at about 2,000 saw the race, second in a series of three 500-milers this week end here.

A 500-mile stock car race Sunday has attracted some of the nation's leading drivers, with "I'll never forgive Elisian for what he did. Pat O'Connor was the most honorable guy in racing." Duane Carter, a veteran race driver and now director of competition for USAC announced: "I am suspending Elisian from all racing for the safety and well being of himself and his fellow competitors. "I am suspending him because of a series of errors in judgment. He'll not race again until he can appeal to the USAC's board of 12. Johnnie Parsons, Van Nuys, $3,599.

13. Johnnie Tolan, Norwalk, $3,329. 14. Bob Christie, Grants Pass, $4,209. 15.

Dempsey Wilson, Hawthorne, $4,089. 16. A. J. Foyt Houston, $2,969.

Mike Magill, Haddonfield, N.J., $2,849. Paul Russo, Webster Groves, $2,779. 19. Shorty Templeman, Seattle, $2,699. 20.

Rodger Ward, Los Angeles, $2,719. 21. Billy Garrett, Burbank, $2,639. 22. Eddie Sachs, Center Valley, $3,759.

23. Johnny Thomson, Boyertown, $2,759. 24. Chuck Weyant, Springfield, $2,549. 25.

Jack Turner, Seattle, $2,569. 26. Bob Veith, Oakland, $2,789. 27. Dick Rathmann, Indianapolis, $6,259.

28. Ed Elisian, Oakland, $3,179. 29. Pat O'Connor, (killed in race), North Vernon, $2,574. 30.

Paul Goldsmith, St. Clair Shores, $2,369. 31. Jerry Unser, Long Beach, $2,339. 32.

Len Sutton, Portland, $2,309. 33. Art Bisch, Phoenix, $2,279. Non-starter: Fred Agabashian, Walnut Creek, qualifying prize, $500. (Note: Some drivers won more than others who finished above them because of qualifying prizes and accessory prizes given only to cars carrying the manufacturers' I products.) 'No Connection' Harlan Fengler, another racing veteran who is the Speedway's chief steward, defended his decision to start the race after a mixed-up extra parade lap.

He Please Turn to Next Page Hawks Sign Gambee ST. LOUIS (UPI)-Dave Gambee, the St. Louis Hawks' first draft choice, signed for the 1958- 59 season, President Ben Kerner announced Saturday. The former Oregon State star was the third player to sign with the world champions for the next season. Basketball Games on Main Bill Japan Holds Lead in Asian Games By LESLIE NAKASHIMA United Press International TOKY0-Asia's "'Little Olympics with Japan far outstripping the other 19 competitors in the total of medals won, closes Sunday night after final championship contests in soccer, basketball and cycle racing.

As of Saturday evening, the 228 athletes representing the host nation, Japan, had garnered 136 medals-67 gold, 40 silver and 29 bronze. Far behind in second place was the Philippines' 152- member team with a total of 47 medals of all three categories won in seven full days of competition in the nine-day third Asian Games. Iran's 83 contestants were third with 32 medals, and Nationalist China's 136-member group was fourth with 31. Sunday finalists China and South Korea, both undefeated, will clash for the soccer championship in a repetition of their title contest at the 1954 second Asion Games in Manila. Korea will be out to avenge its defeat at the hands of China in the Manila gold medal soccer battle.

The contest in Tokyo's Main Stadium Sunday will be preceded by a game between Indonesia and India to decide the bronze medal winner soccer. Also on tap during the closing day of the largest sports carnival ever staged in Asia is a roundrobin series of basketball clashes. It may take some close mathematical figuring to decide the gold, silver and bronze medalists. China's cagers take on the Koreans and the Philippines' quintet matches shots with the Japanese. Japan, undefeated so far and boasting an 87-85 win over China in the basketball tournament's first overtime contest Saturday night, can take puted possession of the gold medal if it beats the Philippines.

However, the Philippines' cagers have never lost to Japan in the Asian Games. If they win and if China defeats Korea, it will mean a three-way tie in the games won and lost columns among the Philippines, China and Japan. In that event, the team with the greatest difference between the points it scored and points scored against it throughout the competition will be declared the champion. The final cycling event will be of Marathon proportions, involving 26 riders from eight countries in a 154-kilometer road race. Two Pakistani riders who were injured in the tandem final last Wednesday night may be scratched from the gruelling road event.

Because of their familiarity with the course, the Japanese cyclists were slight favorites. Favored by good weather since the competition opened May 24. the "Asian Olympics" will come to a close tonight with impressive ceremonies during which the full delegations from all 20 ticipating nations will participate,.