CENTENARY GRAND PRIX

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4632, 6 December 1934, Page 8

CENTENARY GRAND PRIX

THRILLING RACE DECIDED WON BY AN "OUTSIDER" Although he 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 27th, 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 35m. 355.; E. McLean (Salmson Grand Prix), third, and G. B. Dentry (Dentry Special Riley), off 15m. 10s. 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 of victory. Although it finished only seventh off scratch, Ces. Warren's new Qtype supercharged M.G. justified its reputation for speed by making a new lap record of 4m. 395., or an average speed of 84.74 miles an hour for the Qi miles circuit. The M.G. team entered by Lane's Motors won the teams' prize. The official times for the course were:— M. Smith (Ford V 8), 3h. 7m. 565., 1; L. Murphy (P-type M.G. Midget) 3h. 28m. 355., 2; E. McLean (Salmson Grand Prix), 3h. 31m. 375., 3; G. B. Dentry (Dentry Special), 3h. 12m. 325., 4. Others who completed the course within the limit of 25m. after the winner were: C. M. Maxwell (P----type M.G. Midget), off 33m. 355., 5; R. A. Lee-Wright (Singer Le

Mans), off 36. 10s, 6; C. R. Warren (Q-type M.G. Midget), scratch, 7; N. Putt (M.G.J.2), off 36m. 455., 8. Smith was the "dark horse" of the race, and was only given a 50 to 1 chance on the night before the race. 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 (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 unique for such an event to be won by a stock model car, and the skill of the winning driver in such 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 the best racing cars. "With a wet coursa nnd four corners to be negotiated in the 6-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 £3OO and trophies valued at £52 10/-, the race was the richest, and, incidentally, the longest yet held in Victoria. It 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.