THE GRAND PRIX

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1924, Page 23

THE GRAND PRIX

Particulars are to hand of tlie classic road event of Europe, the French Grand Prix> which was decided last month over the Lyons circuit, a tricky course that tested to the extreme drivers, cars, and . tires. Twenty cars started, and it is '; ■ estimated that fully 100,000 people witnessed the contest, which called for 35 circuits, totalling.soo miles. The severity of the sharp cornering Boon started tire troubles, and resulted in rapid changes of positions. Early in the race _\. O. Segrave (Sunbeam) took the lead, with A. 'Ascari (Alfa-Romeo) and Lee Guinness (Sunbeam) making efforts. to overtake the leader in the third lap. Segrave pulled in to his pit to replace sparking plugs, thus losing the lead to Bordino (Fiat), with Ascari and Guinness close behind him." Thirteen drivers passed Segrave before he restarted. Laps (14 2-7 miles) were now being negotiated in I2mln. In the twelfth lap Bordino pulled up for brake repairs, the leader now being Ascari, with Guinness in second place. At 17 laps Lee Guinness had captured the lead, and hopes ranged high in the English camp, but tire trouble shortly stopped, him after, and let G. Campari (Alfa-Romeo) into the lead. At end of 17th lap, nearly half-way, Campari's time was 3hr 22min 35sec, Guinness's 3hr 23min 26sec; others being only separated by minutes, sixteen are still in the running, the other English drivers—Segrave and D. Resta—being seventh and eleventh respectively. The terrific strain on the mentality and physique of drivers and mechanics now was beginning to tell. In the 20th lap England's chance of success went with the retirement of Guinness, caused through engine bearing trouble. The race now resolved itself into, a duel between the team males Ascari and Campari, there" only being 41ssc between them, witli Ascari in front, with... only

five- laps to go. Segrave was now in fifth position, 18 minutes to the bad. At the end of the 32nd lap Ascari had overheating trouble, and was forced to retire just when, victory appeared to be his. From then on the race was CamEari's, and he finished up by winning y just over a minute, his time for the 500 miles being- 7hrs smin 34 3-Ssec, equal to an average speed of 71 miles per hour. A. Divo (12-cylinder Delage) was second, in 7hrs 6min 40 l-ssec, and R. Benoist (12-cylinder Delage) third, in 7hrs 17min 0 4-ssec. L. Wagnoi-(Alfa-Romeo) was fourth and Segrave fifth. Only eight drivers were checked in for the full distance. The fastest ■ circuit recorded (14 2-7 miles) was llmin 19sec, equal to over 76_, miles per hour, by Segrave. The contest was one' of the most strenuous in the history of this Blue Riband event. England last, year won this classic through the agency of Segrave on a Sunbeam. The winning car is made in Italy, and. it was the AlfaBorneo's, first appearance in the French Grand Prix, and also of Campari in an important French road event. He finished: third in the last Targa-Florio race, one of the most important car events held in Italy. The winning car had a I straight-eight engine of 1986 c.c. capacity ; and was equipped with a super-charger.