Returns to Bugatti.
In 1931 Jean Pierre Wimille made a brilliant debut with a Bugatti. In the past season, however, he has piloted a 2.3 litre two-seater All a Romeo in many events. Now, 1933, the young Frenchman is returning to the Bugatti fold, and has come to an agreement with the veteran driver Friedrich to race one of the Molsheim products next year. Friedrich is the Bugatti agent in Nice, and specialises in the maintenance of Bugattis for racing work, among his clients being the popular Count Czaykowski, who competed in the 500 Miles Race at Brooklands.
Etancelin’s Plans.
One of the best known of French ” independents ” is Phillipe Eta.ncelin, who has competed regularly for several years now in most of the big Continental races. At one time he drove a Bugatti, but all last year his mount was a 2.3 litre Alfa Romeo with a two-seater racing body. For 1933 Btaucelin will continue to drive an Italian car, and he is taking delivery of a new Alfa Romeo in the New Year. His first will be
in the Grand Prix of Pau, on February 19th, the race in which he had a great tussle with Sir Henry Birkin in 1929. Incidentally a first hand description of this race appears in Sir Henry’s book, “Full Throttle.”
A Newcomer for Le Mans.
An entry has been received by the A. C. de l’Ouest of an 1,800 c.c. car from the Societe des Automobiles Charley. The car will be driven by Rene Charley.
Raymond Sommer (Maserati).
During the 1932 racing season a new star appeared in the French motor-racing firmament, to wit, Raymond Sommer. With a specially streamlined Alfa Romeo, he took part in all the big races in France, and showed himself to be a driver of rare quality, combining to a nice degree considerable verve with cool judgment. This brilliance had its due reward, for Sommer won both the Le Mans 24 Hours Race and the Marseille Grand Prix—a good bag for a first year’s racing ! For 1933 Sommer has already made his plans. To begin with, he has bought two of the new 3 litre ” monoposto ” Maseratis, which will
be entered for all important races next year, with himself and Zehender as drivers. Then he has taken up the Maserati agency for France, and has hopes of the 1,100 c.c. and 1,500 c.c. models giving a good account of themselves in the small classes of road events. He will take delivery of his own Maserati towards the end of January, and has entered for the Grand Prix of Pau on February 19th.
Incidentally, the new single seater Maserati looks a most promising job. The engine is set farther back in the frame than usual, so that the front axle comes well forward of the radiator, a. la Frazer Nash. This, in conjunction with a short tail, gives the car a very fleet appearance, and it will be interesting to see how the Maserati fares against the so far all-conquering single seater Alfa Romeo.
The Grand Prix of Pau.
The season is opening early on the Continent for 1933, the first race of importance being the Grand Prix of Pau on February 19th. The race marks the culmination of a week’s motoring sport.