THE GRAND PRIX OF LORRAINE
CONTINENTAL NEWS. THE GRAND PRIX LORRAINE FIRST CLASS RACING MARRED BY FATAL ACCIDENT
AN excellent entry was received for the Grand Prix of Lorraine, which was run off in three separate classes, 11-litre, 2-litre, and over, on the Circuit of Seichamps, near Nancy, on June 26th. The length of the circuit was 5 kms., and the various classes had to cover 23, 26 and 30 laps respectively.
There were twenty starters in the 11litre class, and for some time it looked as though Scaron would score yet another win on his fleet little Amilcar. However, he was keenly pursued by his old rival, Veyron (Maserati) who by the 3rd lap had got into second place. Then on the 9th lap Scaron retired with a broken piston, and Veyron stepped into the lead followed by Ozannat (Bugatti), Guilbaut (Bugatti) and Vallette (Maserati). R,ochat (Salmson) crashed into the straw barricade at the Virage du Tronc qui Fume, and a few laps later Ozannat, who had been having a terrific scrap with Guilbaut, ran into a sandbank at the Virage de Pulnoy. Veyron steadily increased his lead, but there was a wonderful fight for second place, Guilbaut and Lister, both on Bugattis, passing and repassing each other, and finally going over the finishing line dead level! Results :
r 1. Veyron (Maserati, 1,500 c.c.), lb. 18m. 7s. Average speed 61 m.p.h.
2. Dead heat. Guilbaut (Bugatti) and Lister (Bugatti), lh. 20m. 56s.
4. Valette (Maserati), lb. 21m. 15s.
The second category, cars up to 2 litres, drew 10 starters, and for the first few laps the order was Trintignant, Tetaldi, Druck and Czaikowski, all on Bugattis. Then it was noticed that Tetaldi failed to appear, and rumours gradually reached the tribunes of a terrible accident at the Virage du Pulnoy. However, the race continued, with Trinignant in the lead, but he was being gradually overhauled by Czaikowski. Suddenly no cars appeared in front of the stands, and consternation reigned. Then it was announced that the race had been stopped owing to Tetaldi’s accident, which had turned out to be worse than was at first thought. It appears that Tetaldi was trying to pass another car just before a corner when he suddenly realised that he could not get by in time ; he braked heavily, skidded on the wet road, and lost control. His Bugatti shot off the road, struck a tree and bounced into the crowd, killing three spectators and injuring eleven others. Tetaldi himself was seriously injured, sustaining a broken leg, a fractured thigh, and severe bruises, but after a few anxious days in hospital, we learn that it is only a question of time before he is fully recovered. It was hoped to re-run the race after
the larger class had been run, but this was impossible for the road was only free for a certain time, and so it was decided to place the competitors as at the 9th lap. Results :
1. Trintignant (Bugatti 2,000 c.c.), 28m. 12s. (Average speed 66 m.p.h.).
2. Czaikowski (Bugatti 2,000 c.c.), 28m. 47s.
3. Druck (Bugatti 2,000 c.c.), 29m. 31s.
The largest class, over 2-litres, was remarkable for the wonderful performance of Jean-Pierre Wimille, who, although several places behind on the first few laps, quickly caught up and took the lead, followed by Lehoux. Wimille forged steadily ahead, but there was a terrific scrap between Lehoux and Gaupillat for second place. The latter got ahead, only to skid badly on a corner, letting Lehoux past. Then on the 22nd lap, Gaupillat stopped at the pits and retired with brake trouble. From then the order was unchanged. Results :
1. Wimille (Alfa-Romeo 2,300 c.c.), lh. 29m. 14s. (69 m.p.h.).
2. Lehoux (Bugatti 2,300 c.c.), lh. 31m. 4s.
3. Czaikowski (Bugatti 2,300 c.c.), lh. 32m. 38s.
4. Etancelin (Alfa-Romeo 2,300 c.c.), lb. 33m, 32s.