BIG MOTOR RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1929, Page 5

BIG MOTOR RACE

ITALIANS FILL FRONT PLACES

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, August 17

Six nations to-day competed in the greatest' motor race jn history over a course of -110 miles, for the Royal Automobile Club’s International Tourist Trophy. The race took place at Belfast. A downpour of rain yesterday threatened to spoil the prospects, but the roads were in such a perfect state that but a few hours dry weather restored the surface.

Many of the spectators camped all night at vantage points on the circuit.

At least half a million people wit-, nossed the race, in which there wore sixty- live cempctitors. The circuit was one of but thirteen miles and a half, so that, the competitors had to make thirty laps, thus forming one of the most difficult courses in the world. There were hairpin corners in abundance, but there also were long straights, on which the large cars could stretch their logs. The following is the result of the race:—

Carraciola (driving a MercedesBenz) first.

Zaupari (driving an Alfa-Romeo), second.

Nash (driving an Austin) third.

THRILLING RACE.

/Received this day at 8 a.m.)

LONDON, Aug. 18.

The race is described as n motor epic. The giant was Carrigiola, a- laughing dare-devil in a monstrous Mercedes racer, who staggered the motoring world. The great joke was the Baby Austins who' were given such handsome starts that the racing experts of six nations had to risk their necks and reputations to catch them. The course was treacherous. Heavy rain had made the turns, deadly curves and hairpin oendiS into death traps. Carrigiola dashed ahead from the start like a thunderbolt. Driving like a madman and taking risks that made the crowd sick with icar, lie got ahead by laps in a. few minutes. Crouching amid the clirt and oil of the pit, Madame Carrigiola cheered her husband and timed him as accurately as the experts. Near the -end of the race one car ran into a breakdown gang of men, one n{ whom died in the hospital, and five were seriously injured. There were many driving accidents but it is amazing that nobody was seriously hurt.

Kudson, in a Bently, crashed, but he and the mechanic were unhurt.

Higgin (British) dashed into the Town Hall at Newton Herds at a pace of 70 miles an hour, and escaped injury.

A groan went up when ICaye Don had .to retire owing to engine trouble. Rubin, another English competitor, overturned, and the car had to be raised to extricate him, when lie shouted, “I’m not hurt'l” and helped to clear the debris. Another car got on fire.

Before long twenty starters had retired, put out by disastrous skids, but the German dashed on as though he bore a charmed life.

Campari pays a tribute to Carrigiola’s amazing skill, and the manner- in which the winning car stood 'up to the gruelling of the four hundred mile course.

The leading average speeds are:— Carrigiola 72.8; Campari 67.5; Nash :-9.6; Holbrook who was fourth, also driving an Austin 7, 59.-*). Alfaromeos filled fifth and sixth places.