TOURIST TROPHY RACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20799, 19 August 1929, Page 9

TOURIST TROPHY RACE

SIX NATIONS REPRESENTED. SIXTY-FIVE COMPETITORS. GEATEST EVENT IN HISTORY. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, August 17. (Received August IS, at 5.5 p.m.) In the Royal Automobile Club’s international tourist trophy race from Belfast Carrigiola, driving a Mercedes, was first, Campari (Alfa-Romeo) second, and Nash (Austin) third. At least 500,000 people witnessed the race, in which there were 05 competitors.— Australian Press Association. LONDON, August 17.' (Received August 18, at 7 p.m.) Six nations competed in the greatest road race in history of 410 miles for the Royal Automobile Club’s international tourist trophy at Belfast. A downpour of rain yesterday threatened to spoil the event, but the roads were in such a perfect state that it required but a few hours to dry them and restore the surface. Many spectators camped all night at vantage points on the circuit of 134 miles. The competitors had to make 30 laps, forming one of the most difficult courses in the world. There were hairpin corners in abundance, but also long straights, on which the large cars could stretch their legs.—Australian Press Association. DEADLY CURVES AND HAIRPIN BENDS, LONDON, August IS. (Received August 18, at 11 p.m.) The race is described as a motor epic. Carriciola was a laughing daredevil in a monstrous Mercedes racer, and the great joke was the Baby Austins, who were given such handsome starts that the racing experts of six nations had to risk their necks and reputations to catch them. The course was treacherous, the heavy rain having turned the deadly curves and hairpin bends into de. xhtraps. Carriciola dashed ahead from the start like a thunderbolt, driving like a madman, and taking risks which made the crowd sick with fear. He got ahead in a few minutes. Crouching amid the dirt and oil of the pit Carriciola’s wife cheered her husband and timed him as accurately as the experts. Near the end of the race one ear ran into a breakdown gang of men, one of whom died in hospital ,and five were seriously injured. There were many driving accidents, but it was amazing that none of the drivers was seriously hurt. Kldston, in a Bentley, crashed, but he and the mechanic were unhurt. Higgin (Britisher) dashed into the Town Hall at Newton Herds at a pace of 70 miles an hour, and escaped injury. A groan wont up when Kaye ■ Don ha to retire owing to engine trouble. Rubin, another English competitor, overturned, and his car ; had to he raised to extricate, him, when he shouted: “ I am not hurt,” and helped to clear the debris. Another car 30t on fire. Before long 20 darters had retired, put out by disastrous skids, but the German dashed on as though he bore a charmed life. Campari pays a tribute to CarriciolaV amazing skill and the manner in which the winning car stood up to the gruelling race of 400 miles. The leading average speeds were:— Carriciola 72.8, Campari 67.5, Nash 59.6. 'Holbrook was fourth, also driving an Austin Seven, 59.5. Alfa-Bomeos filled fifth and sixth places.—Australian Press Association,