five minutes after eleven
Thousands lined the board walk from the garages to the finish line and hundreds of automobiles were parked in every roadway . Special guards , composed of the local troop of boy scouts with their staffs and a troop of militia from Portland had been detailed to keep the sightseers orderly and in position on the board walk . They were all having their hands full accomplishing the task , however , for the automobile enthusiasts began to get restless as the time for the start of the races drew near . At five minutes after eleven the band on the recreation pier , which had been blaring forth popular airs for an hour , ceased , and a moment later the judges made their appearance on the beach . This was a signal for prolonged cheering on the part of the crowd . But the noise stopped When a single individual carrying a black and white flag stepped out into the course and began wigwagging . He was signaling to another individual at the garages , who in turn transmitted his signal to the starting line in the dim distance down the beach .