ANOTHER ROUND THE TOWN RACE

AN TH R ROUND THE T WN RACE

A VERY SUCCESSFUL MEETING ON THE CIRCUIT OF NICE.

FOLLOWING on the successful experiment of the Monaco Grand, Prix, other French towns are taking up the idea. We have already remarked on the Grand Prix of Nimes, and now we have the Circuit of Nice.

The organizers of this event wisely decided not to run the race on the lines of the others, i.e. one long distance race, but arranged a series of heats for five classes, with a final. For the benefit of those who are familiar with the topography of Nice, the course was composed of the Promenade des Anglais, the Avenue de Verdun, a part of the Place Massena, and back to the starting point by way of the Quai des Etats-Unis, a total distanc of 3 kilometres 228 metres.

The 750 c.c. and the 1,100 c.c. classes were run off together, and at the start Martinaki forged ahead on his Salmson, while Labbay led the 750’s. This state of affairs did not last long, however, for a great duel developed between Chambost (Salmson), who took the lead, and Reveller (Amilcar), while Martinaki dropped back. Revelller set up a lap record, and soon afterwards passed his rival in front of the stands. Chambost retaliated by repassing shortly afterwards, when Reveller had the misfortune to be hindered by a slower car on a winding part of the course, with the result that he could not make up the distance between himself and the Salmson before the end of the race.

In the 750 c.c. class Lebas (Lebas) passed Labbay, who finished a whole lap behind a Rosengart driven by Cahnes.

RESULTS.

1,100 c.c.

1. Chambost (Samson), 22 m. 57 3/5 secs.

2. Reveiller (Amilcar), 23 m. 7 secs.

3. Martinaki (Salmson), 23 m. 23 secs. 750 c.c.

1. Lebas (Lebas), 26 m. 40 secs.

2. Calmes (Rosengart).

Like the 750’s and 1,100’s, the 1,500 c.c. and 2,000 c.c. classes were run off simultaneously, over the same distance, 10 laps.

On the first lap a very fast pace was set by Czaikowski and Trintignant, both on 2-litre Bugattis, the latter leading by a few feet. From there on these two left the rest of the field well behind, but Trintignant steadily increased his lead over Czaikowski by 2 or 3 seconds every lap, finally finishing in that order. In the 1,500 c.c. class Toselli (Bugatti) leapt into the lead, followed by Veyron (Maserati) Toselli was a good deal faster than some of the 2-litres, and held third place in the general classification. Veyron was going strong, however, and Leurquin (Amilcar) began to pick up, breaking the lap record in doing so. No trouble developed in any of the cars, and they finished in. that order.

RESULTS.

2,000 c.c.

1. Trintignant (Bugatti), 21 min. 27 1/5 secs.

2. Czaikowski (Bugatti), 21 min. 45 secs.

3. Rey (Bugatti), 23 min. 14 secs. 1,500 c.c.

1. Toselli (Bugatti,), 22 min 24 secs.

2. Veyron (Maserati), 23 min. 4 secs.

3. Leurquin (Amilcar), 23 min. 31 secs.

In the unlimited category competitors had to cover 15 laps of the circuit, and with 5 Bugattis pitted against 2 Alfas there was every prospect of a good tussle.

At the end of the first lap Rene Dreyfus (Bugatti) led, followed by Chiron (Bugatti) while a good deal of passing was being done in the field. By the third lap things had settled down somewhat, and we saw that Chiron had passed Dreyfus, who was followed by Benoit (Bugatti), Zehender (Alfa-Romeo), Czaikowski (Bugatti), Sommer (Alfa-Romeo), and Canin (Bugatti). Czaikowski’s car was not going well, and soon after he lost his place to Sommer. A lap later, and he joined Morand (Bugatti) and Canin (Bugatti) in retiring.

Chiron continued to lead by some 5 seconds from Dreyfus, but on the 10th lap the latter began to wipe off this lead, and after a terrific scrap passed Chiron on the last lap, winning by 4 /5ths second.

RESULTS.

1. Dreyfus (Bugatti 2,300 c.c.), 30 m.

41 1/5 secs.

2. Chiron (Bugatti 2,300 c.c.), 30 in.

42 secs.

3. Benoit (Bugatti 2,300 c.c.), 31 m. 14 secs.

4. Zehender (Alfa-Romeo 2,300 c.c.), 31 m. 15 secs.

5. Sommer (Alfa-Romeo 2,300 c.c)., 31 m. 16 secs. In the final, only one of the 2-litre

cars came to the starting line, namely, the Bugatti driven by Trintignant. There were six starters in all : Chiron, Dreyfus, Benoit and Trintignant on Bugattis, and Sommer and Zehender on Alfa-Romeos. A sensation was caused on the first lap

when it was seen that the favourites, Chiron and Dreyfus, were only lying third and fourth, the first two places being held by Benoit, who is a native of Nice, and Sommer, winner at Le Mans. The local champion could not hold the

fast pace, however, and immediately fell back, so that on the second lap Sommer led, followed by Chiron, Dreyfus and Benoit. Then Sommer overshot a corner, letting Chiron and Dreyfus through to the first two places, but quickly restarting he set off in pursuit, and was soon. on their heels. The speed got faster and faster, first Chiron. and then. Dreyfus breaking the lap record, the latter’s average speed being about 62 m.p.h. Sommer was driving an inspired race, and after his one slip, never

made a mistake. Chiron was still a few seconds ahead, and on the final lap Sommer made a supreme effort and succeeded in passing Dreyfus, the cars finishing in that order.

FINAL RESULTS.

1. Chiron (Bugatti 2,300 c.c.), 30 min. 19 3/5 secs. 2. Sommer (Alfa-Romeo 2,300 c.c.) ,

30 mm. 23 secs.

3. Dreyfus (Bugatti 2,300 c.c.), 30 min. 29 secs. 4. Zehender (Alfa-Romeo 2,300 c.c.),

31 min 14 secs.

5. Trintignant ( Bugatti 2000, c.c.).