23/- ENTRY FOR THE FRENCH G.P.

23fENTRY FOR THE FRENCH G.P. GREATLY REDUCED ENTRY FEES AND NEW SYSTEM OF BONUS PRIZES FEATURES OF REGULATIONS NOW AVAILABLE.

THE French Grand Prix, after falling into relative obscurity through the brief popularity of production car racing, has now regained some of its former lustre. Last year, at Rheims, the race had quite the atmosphere of “the Blue Riband of Motor-racing,” as it used to be known, and was spectacular motor racing at its best, for there was not a single accident, casualty or crash throughout its entire length.

As already announced in MOTOR SPORT, the Automobile Club of France has decided to run the 1933 Grand Prix on the autodrome at Linas-Montlhery, near Paris, but not without considerable deliberation and many suggestions of other sites. Now the regulations for the race have been issued, and a perusal thereof reveals that the A.C. de F. has made great efforts to make .the race a complete success.

A Free-for-all race.

But let us start at the beginning. The race will be rim on June 11th, over a distance of 500 kilometres, or 40 laps of the road-cum-track circuit of 12 km. 500 m. No limit has been imposed either for size of engine or weight of the cars to be entered, so that such machines as the 16 cylinder Maserati and the S.S.K. Mercedes-Benz will be eligible. Incidentally, entries close at single fees on April 15th, and at double figures on May 10th, and should be sent to the A.C. de F.

Place de la Concorde, Paris. It is in the matter of entry fees that the great surprise will be found. In the past, an intending competitor has had to pay as much as 2,000 or 3,000 francs, representing at the present rate of exchange some £23 or £34, a not inconsiderable item in his total expenditure. For this year, however, he will only need to pay a paltry 100 francs, or roughly 23/-. This low figure should encourage

nglish competitors to think seriously of entering for the race, and they will be still further encouraged by the new system of bonuses inaugurated by the A.C. de F.

The new bonus system.

It is small consolation for the British owner of, say, a quick Bugatti, with no constant practice in road racing, to learn that Nuvolari has won £8,000 last year in prize money, for no matter how sound a show he may put up he cannot hope to beat up such people as Nuvolari, Chiron, Caracciola, Borzacchini, Varzi, Dreyfus, Williams, and Fagioli. On the other hand, there is nothing to stop him from putting up a creditable average for a part of the race, if not all of it, and by the new scheme of the A.C. de P. he will be encouraged to try to do so. • The first, second and third drivers to finish will receive roughly £1,150, £575 and £230 respectively. Drivers finishing after these three, however, will be compensated by bonuses given as follows :

Any driver who completes the first 10 laps at an average speed of not less than 125 k.p.h., 3,000 francs or roughly £34.

Ditto, at not less than 115 k.p.h., 2,000 francs or roughly £23.

Ditto, at not less than 105 k.p.h., 1,000 francs, or roughly £11.

Any driver who completes the first 10 laps at an average speed of not less than 125 k.p.h., 4,000 francs, or roughly £46.

Ditto, at not less than 115 k.p.h., 3,000 francs, or roughly £34.

Ditto, at not less than 105 k.p.h., 2,000 francs, or roughly £23.

Any driver who completes the first 30 laps at an average speed of not less than 125 k.p.h., 5,000 francs, or roughly 257.

Ditto, at not less than 115 k.p.h., 4,000 francs, or roughly £46.

Ditto, at not less than 105 k.p.h., 3,000 francs, or roughly £34.

Ideal for spectators.

Naturally, the prizes are not cumulative, so that only one bonus may be won by each driver. This will be the highest for which he is eligible, with a maximum of 5,000 francs.

From the spectators’ point of view this new system should ensure a good entry. The Linas-Montlhery circuit is ideal for spectators, who are able to walk round a broad path adjoining the course for its entire length, an asset never possible with a race run on a public road.