NO ALPINE TRIAL THIS YEAR
No Alpine Trial Thle Year.
After a period of considerable uncertainty, it was announced by the Automobile Club de France, at the end of last month, that this year’s Alpine Trial definitely had been cancelled, The entry fee this year had been raised to L:30 per car, and in consequence only a too cars were entered in place of the usual iso. 76 of these too cars had been entered by German firms and private individuals, and when it was announced that the German Government would not permit the amount of currency necessary to covy the entrance fees to be sent out of the country, the organisers had no option but to cancel the Trial.
Their Handwriting Shows.
A Continental expert in the study of handwriting, Dr. G. Morf, has examined the signatures of various wellknown racing drivers, and his report contains some interesting conclusions. Comparing the signatures, he points out a general characteristic of enthusiasm for unrestrained movement. This is particu
larly noticeable in the case of the Italians, and least apparent in the Germans and the single Englishman on the list, Earl Howe. The ” speed fever ” is betrayed by numerous curls and loops and sweeping lines which sometimes run right through the name itself. The best examples of this are to be found in the Italians, Malaguti. Balestrero, Ghersi, Biondetti and Raffaelle Toti, and the Frenchman, Rene Dreyfus. Varzi is the proverbial exception.
Bobby Kohlrausch, the German M.G. driver, has a most interesting signature. The capitals have a perfect speed line, in contrast to the rest of the letters.
Hans Stuck also shares an inclination for movement and speed, but in his case it is strongly controlled. The calm, firm decision with which he handles a racing car is clearly reflected in his handwriting. At first glance Dr. Morf considered Earl Howe’s signature to be that of a typical phlegmatic Englishman. He goes on to say, however, that the capital H and the manner of joining the o and w show an
unmistakable desire for speed and movement which is held in with that moderation characteristic of all Britains.
Another common characteristic is that of co-ordination, or linking the Christian and surnames. Bruno Sojka, Mme ltier, Burggaller, Tazio Nuvolari and Rud. Caracciola all show this tendency, which signifies the power to concentrate solely on the job in hand, without interruption.
Vintage Cars at Speed.
A speed trial has been arranged by the Vintage Sports Car Club to take place at the Howard Park Hotel, Aston Clinton, Tring, on August 31st. Invitations to compete have been accepted by the FrazerNash, Brighton and Hove, W.A.S.A., and N.W. London clubs. Nine classes will be held for sports and racing cars, and a handicap event. Supercharged cars will count as racing machines.
Full particulars can be obtained from the Hon. Secreiary, Mr. E. T. Lewis, Butler Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex. Entries close on August 24th.