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GORDON BENNETT CUP

SUGGESTED REVIVAL. An interesting suggestion—that brings back memories of the world’s first classic motor car road races—is made by Chevalier Florio, chairman of the Italian Automobile Racing Board. It is that the one-time world famed international “Gordon Bennett Cup” should be revived. Not many motorists oE to-day know of the famous international motor races that created such great interest from 1900 to 1906. In those days the “Gordon Bennett Cup” was to the motor world what the “Davis Cup” has been in tennis and sporting circles in recent

years. Florio’s suggestion is that the classic Cup, which France has retained since the last event was decided in 1905, should again be put up for annual competition, with an added cash prize of £B,OOO, and that the old time conditions should apply. The French Automobile Club is said to be willing to release the Cup for further competition. The history of this old time classic contest is worth recording, and the Dunlop Rlubber Co. supply some interesting details. In 1899 Mr James Gordon Bennett, proprietor of the “New York Herald’ presented a valuable trophy, which later became famous as the “Gordon Bennett Cup” for an annual international motor car race open to all not. Jons manufacturing automobiles, The contest was limited to three cars from I any one country—the Automobile Club of the winning country to hold the I cup for the ensuing 12 months, and to also have the right of selection of venue for the contest the following year. The competing cars had to he constructed wholly anti in every 7 detail in the country 7 -they- represented They had to weigh—unloaded—over 1 4GO kilos (7cwt 3qrs. 141b5.), whilst the two people aboard had to each weigh -11 stone 3lbs., or ballast to even up the weight. There was no maximum weight limit until 190£ when 1000 kilos (22041b5.) was adopted. From its inception the event created most intense interest in motoring and sporting circles throughout' the world. I The first race was held in France ! on June 14tli. 1900, over a 352 miles course from Paris to Lyons, and "as won by Charron (France), driving a 24 h.p. Panhard-Levnssor —his time being 9hrs 9min., with a speed average of 384 m-p/b.—-a . remarkable achievement at the time. Only three countries were represented—France, Belgium and America. .As the holder of the Cup, France in 1901 selected a course of 351 miles, from Paris to Bordeaux, but the superiority of the French machines was so pronounced that no other nation had a chance, The consequence was that France was unchallenged and only Charron, Glrnrdot aud Levegh oompeted. The first two drove Panhards, whilst Levegh’s mount was a /‘Mors”. Girardot was the winner—his 40h.p. car negotiating the dis? tance in Bhrs 51min. 59 l-ssecs., an average speed of 40 m.p.h.

I In 1902 the course chosen by Franoe I was a particularly severe one, being from Paris to Vienna —a distanoe of 367 miles. On this occasion England threw down the gauntlet to France, and nominated S, F. Edge on a Dhn- , lop shod 40 h.p. Napier. After a particularly gruelling contest, Edge reached the Austrian capital first, his time being 10hrs 41mins. 58 l-ssecs., averaging 84 m.p.h. England’s guccoss gave a great fillip to the contest and the 1908 event saw England, France, Germany and Amenoa, each nominating 3 ears. For the 1908 race, the English parliament passed a special Act to enable England to hold t'hq contest around a circuit in Ireland. The total I distance war 368 miles, England was represented by 3 Nnpiers with Edge, C. Jarrott, and J. W, Stocks at the respective wheels, France by R. d<* Knvff (Panhardh H. Fnrman (Panhard), and Gabriel (Mors). Germany by C. Jenatzy (Mercedes), Baron de Caters (Mercedes), irjnd F. Keene i (Mercedes), and America by A, Win- | ton (Winton), Owen (Winton), and L. P. Mooers (Peerless). The race attracted an enormous crowd to Ireland and I spectators witnessed a great contest'— | the victor being Jenatzy, in 6hrs. 39 mins., an average speed of 49t m.p.h. Germany conducted the 1904 event over the hilly Taunus Circuit—the total distance being 351 miles. There was intense trade rivalry between the German and French car makers at that period, and great was the joy of the French nation when tehir crack representative, L. Thery, on an 80 h.p. Richard-Brnsier, won in shrs 50min 3 secs., with an average of oil m.p.h. In this event France, Germany, Great Britain, Austria, Italy and Belgium put teams into the field. France again had control of the “Cun” for the 1905 contest mid selected the Auvergne Circuit (3413 miles). Five countries entered teams, France, England, Italy, Austria, and America. The event was a repetition of the previous year's race, the Therv-Richard-Brasier combination again being victorious. The time was Tlirs. 2mins 42 2-ssecs.) an average speed of 4S$ m.p.h. Some months prior to the holding o' - the 1905 race France suggested that the Gordon Bennett Cup should be substituted by an event to he known as the Grand Prix of France. This raised such a storm of protest from England, America, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy, and also threats of bovoott, that the French Automobile Club gave wav and as previously mentioned, th© contest was conducted

under the usual conditions, and Thery won again. Having now won 4 out of 6 events held, France appreciating ’ what the successes had meant to her automobile industry, decided that she had too much to lose in further Gordon Bennett contests, with its limit of 3 cars per nation. Eventually France got her own way—the historical race was allowed to lapse—she field the beautiful trophy—and in 1906 the French Grand Prix was promoted as a substitute. In this event any maker could nominate three cars. This race drew 34 entries. —27 being French. England, U.S.A. and Austria did not nominate. France, through the agency of Swisz (Renault) won the contest, spread over 2 days on the Sarthe Circuit, the winner’s time for the 7451 miles being 12 hours 14mins. 7secs.— an average speed of 60 m.p.h. It was in this race that the detachable tyre rim was first introduced to the motoring public. After a lapse of 25 years, there is now talk of reviving the grand old international contest, but here again the same misgivings are likely to arise as to whether any nation is justified in staking its automobile reputation on the outcome of an international road race, in which so many things may happen. Chevalier Florio is a keen supporter of automobile racing and the great Florio Cup annually held in Italy is the outcome. His suggestion to revive the Gordon Bennett Cup will be much debated in Europe and U.S.A. and an event of an international character may be the outcome.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HOG19310223.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,136

GORDON BENNETT CUP Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 2

GORDON BENNETT CUP Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 2

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