THE CENTENARY GRAND PRIX

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21329, 23 November 1934, Page 7

THE CENTENARY GRAND PRIX

STOCK MODEL WINS FINE PERFORMANCE BY AN "OUTSIDER" Although ho had not previously driven in a road race, "Mick" Smith, driving under the name of "Gardner,'' in a Ford VB, won the Victorian Centenary Grand Prix, of 230 miles, at Phillip Island, on October 27, and also made the fastest time. As he crossed the finishing-line at a speed of more than 90 miles an hour, his car ran out of petrol, and more had to be obtained before he could return to the pits. With a handicap of 18 minutes, Smith conceded nearly 20 minutes to the limit man, Ted McLean, who held the lead for the first 21 laps. Les. Murphy, driving a P-type M.G. Midget, was second, off 35min 35sec; E. McLean (Salmson Grand' Prix), third, and G. B. Dentry (Dentry Special Riley), off 15min lOsec, was fourth, in the second fastest time. Dentry took the lead in the 28th lap, and held it until the race was nearly completed, when a temporary mechanical failure delayed him for more than six minutes and deprived him'of any chance oi victory. Although it finished only seventh oil scratch, Ccs. Warren's now Q-lype .supercharged M.G. justified its reputation for speed by making a new lap record of 4m'm Msec, or an average speed of 84.74 miles an hour, for the six and a-half miles circuit, 'the M.G. team entered by Lane's Motors won the teams' prize. Official Times The official times for the course were:—• M. Smith (Ford VB>, 3hrs 7min 56scc, 1; L. Murphy (P-type M.G. Midget). 3hr 28min 35sec, 2; E. McLean (Salmson Grand Prix), 3hr 31min 57sec. 3; G. B. Dentry (Dentry Special) 3hr 12min 32scc. 4. Others who completed the course within the limit of 25 minutes after the winner were:- C. M. Maxwell (P-type M.G. Midget), oft 33mhi 35sec, 5; R. A. Lea-Wright (Singer Le Mansi, off 36min lOsec. 6; C. R. Warren iQLypc M.G. Midget), scratch, 7; JN. Putt (.M.G..T. 2), off 36min 45sec. 8. Smith was the "dark horse" of the race, and was only given a f>o to 1 chance on the night before the event. He drove very steadily and well, however, and the car behaved perfectly, showing no sign afterward of the terrific speed it had maintained. Smith and his mechanic i.W. L. Terry) were amazed at their good fortune when the car ran out of petrol as it passed the winning post, because the delay caused by refuelling at that stage would almost certainly have cost them (the race. In the winning of the event by Smith in a Ford VB, an amazing double performance was recorded. It was unknown for such an event to be won by a stock model car, and the skill of the winning driver in sucli circumstances can hardly be .overpraised. This race, organised by the recently-formed Australian Racing Drivers' Club, was the first event of the kind open to all cars, and was contested by a large field, which included some of Australia's best drivers and (he best racing cars. A Wet Coursr With a wet course and four corners to be negotiated in the six-mile circuit, the contest called for great skill in driving, as well as for high speed and endurance in competing cars. The car which won the race was a stock roadster model, stripped of windscreen and mudguards, with extra leaves in the springs. Being higher off the ground than the racing cars, it naturally demanded additional skill on the part of the driver in cornering. With cash prizes amounting to £3O) and trophies valued at £52 10s, the race was the richest, and, incidentally, the longest yet held in Victoria, ft was a complete success. There were no accidents, and although heavy rain fell in the morning and interfered with the conduct of the time trials, the track dried quickly, and conditions were excellent for the race, there being no dust. About 8000 persons witnessed the race, principally from the corners of the rectangular circuit.