OPENINGS OF NEW TRACK AT LINAS-MONTLHERY

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OPENING OF NEW TRACK AT LINAS-MONTLHERY.

Unprecedented Scenes on the Approach Routes : Almost Complete Block of Traffic on the Second Day : Many World’s Records go by the Board : Several Successful British Participators in the Opening Events.

From our Special Correspondent in France.

THERE was considerable speculation amongst the

majority of those who, on the opening day, were journeying to the new track at Montlhery, as to the necessity for the large number of police of all categories who were posted along the roads, at many points in groups of five or six. On the return, or attempted return, for that is almost what it turned out to be, in many cases, the wonder was turned to annoyance that those responsible had so little foresight as to provide so few of these arms of the law. If any emphasis was necessary to indicate the triumphal success of the opening of the new track, and subsequent events will show that no such emphasis was needed, it was afforded in the huge crowds which, in automobiles of every age and description, thronged the roads leading to Montlhery.

The first event, for cycle-cars of 500 c.c., was won on a Morgan ridden by Dhome, at 93.717 km.p.h. (57.8 m.p.h.). Darmont (Morgan) was second. In the Grand Prix for motor cycles of 175 C.C. capacity, Marchant, riding a D’Vrsan-Blackburne, ran home an easy winner, covering the iso km. in i h. 3 in. 26 S.

In the next event, for cyclecars of 750 c.c., first place went to Gordon England (Austin) after an interesting and keenly-fought race. Austin machines, driven by Waite, Hall and Dingle, also came in second, third, and fourth. The 175 km. course was covered by this winner m I h. 28 in. 44 s., an average speed of 118.318 km.p.h.

(73.55 m.p.h.) x secs. covered the first four, while Dingle made the fastest lap at 126.45 km.p.h. (78.45 m.p.h..). The smooth running of the four Austins, which ran throughout the race with clock-like regularity, was the admiration of the crowd of 6o,o0o who were present. At the second meeting, which was much more interesting, Le Vack proved to be the hero of the day. In the races for machines of 250 c.c. and 350 c.c. capacity, he put up some extremely fine performances, completing the course of 175 km. in the former event in i h. 30 I* s., which is equivalent to an average speed of km. per hour (72.45 m.p.h.). In the second race, the larger machine, and over a distance of 200 km., time was r h. 33 m. 16* s., an average speed of km. per hour (80.11 m.p.h.). This race was from start to finish, and the result was always in Le Vack being closely. followed all the time by (A. J.S.), who was only a few yards behind at the

There were ten starters in the Grand Prix des ettes. The all-red Salmsotis took the lead at the and maintained it to the end, an almost struggle being carried on for most of the time Goutte and Casse until, towards the end, Goutte away, eventually finishing the 200 km. in x h. 27 6 t s., two laps ahead of his confrere on another of Salmsons. Waite, on an Austin (750 c.c. against 1,100 C.C. of the others) did* very well indeed, and performance was much admired. In the triangular fight between Thomas, on a Eldridge on a Fiat, and Duray on a d’Aoust, Thomas and Eldridge suffered considerably from trouble, and both of them ran for considerable at over Ioo m.p.h. on the rim. Eventually won, covering the distance, 15 kin., in 4 m. 37 (121 m.p.h.). Thomas made fastest lap at 212

Some World’s Records Established.

On the Monday, October 13th, Gros and Martin were successful in breaking, at long last, the records set up by Mr. Edge in 1907, when he covered 1,581 miles 1,310 yards in 24 hours, on a Napier, at an average speed of 65.91 m.p.h. They drove a two-litre Bignan for the same period covering 2,930.193 km. at an average speed of 121 km.p.h., which is equivalent to 1,820 miles, at 75.6 m.p.h.