A COMING EVENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1929, Page 2

A COMING EVENT

MOTOR ROAD RACE. The world’s greatest drivers and the finest motor cars of the six leading i nipt or manufacturing countries, will be pitted against each other in the International Tourist Trophy Road Race, organised 'by the R ival Automobile Club, to be run on the Ards* circuit, near Belfast, Ireland, on August 17th. To date the entry list numbers no fewer than 56 cars. Last year, after one of. the grimmest struggles in the history of motor racing, victory went to a Lea Francis ear driven by Air Kaye Don. British supremacy is again to be challenged this year by France, Italy, Germany, Austria and America. France has secured the sendees of one of England’s most dashing drivers in Earl Howe (formerly Viscount Curzon) who will once again drive a Bugatti. Last year he was lapping at record speed when his petrol tank burst. Italy will be represented by her greatest driver, Signor Ramponi, who will lead a team selected from the crack road-racing drivers of his country. They will be mounted on Alfa Romeo ears. (Ramponi recently won. the Double-Twelve-Hours race at Brooklands, England, with an “Alfa Romeo”). Germany will be represented by a colossal “Mercedes.’ Two' of- the latest supercharged. Stutz cars will represent the United Stages;, also two of the new Fords. Britain is happily • fortunate both in her cars and drivers, Capt. Malcolm . Campbell and Mr Kaye Don., who has risen to the very front rank of the world’s greatest drivers should be a good match for Signor ißfiniponi. s •3$ i;the younger school—Ajlr Stanley ' Woods, aged 27, the young Irishman whq : has won many motor' cycling tourist trophy races in the Isle of Alan, h making his debut in a big international car race this year. He will drive a Lea Francis car of the type that won last year’s race. Three important British firms who have not officially entered for races for tile last few years are taking part in this year’s Tourist Trophy. These are the Sunbeam Company, the Arrol-John-ston Co., and the. Austin Motor Co, Sir Herbert Austin has entered three Austin ' “Sevens.” Two • small Triumph oars have also been entered. The many owners of very small cars will watch with interest how the little fellows stand up in such a gruelling contest: The :handicaps hav e been; worked out so that the smallest car, if it can stand up to the test of the hazardous 400-miles road course, stands as good a chance as its bigger rivals. All cars taking part are standard products which can be bought by the public. The freak car, 'built solely for racing is barred.