RACING IN STORM

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 8 June 1931, Page 5

RACING IN STORM

CARS WHINE ABOVE THUNDER BIRKIN WINS GRAND PRIX PLUCKY BID BY’ ITALIAN (Unitod Press Association—By Electric Teiegrnpu Copyright.) Received 10.-15 a.m. to-day. LONDON, June 7. A thunderstorm provided a dramatic interlude in the Irish International Grand Prix at Phoenix Park, the whine of the super-charged cars rising above the thunder and lightning dazzlingly playing oil the racing giants as the drivers kept up their breakneck speed. Nine competitors covered) 300 miles in 70 lapis-Sir Henry Birkin in :an AlfaRoineo, averaging 88. S miles an hour, won. The-Italian, Campari, was second three minutes later. After ;ui astonishing effort Campari, in trying to pass Sir Henry Birkin, was half blinded (by a piece of glass from a broken goggle. He suddenly swerved madly, but immediately regained control and thrilled the spectators by carrying on for two and a-' half miles at full speed, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on his injured eye. He drove like man possessed, once actually passing Birkin. He skidded for 100 yards with locked wheels, but amazingly avoided disaster, ’ Earl Howe broke the lap record with a speed of 91.8 driving a Mercedes Benz.