BRITISH TRIUMPH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18066, 18 April 1933, Page 6

BRITISH TRIUMPH

LIGHT CAE RACING TEST FOE NERVES LONDON, April 9. M.G. Magnottes, flying tiny Union Jacks and driven I>y George Eyston and Lord Howe, wore first and second in the 1100 cubic centimetres class in Italy’s “1000 miles,” the most dangerous motor race in the world. Eyston finished in 18 hours lmin. 4see., and averaged 56.90 miles an Lour. Lord Howe averaged 56.82. All other cars in this class were more than an hour behind the British. The course begins at Brescia, and thence forms a giant figure of eight through Bologna, Florence and Rome, and back to Brescia, via the Adriatic,

It passes through narrow village streets, congested cities, dangerous mountain passes, chasms yawning thousands of feet, where safety depends on the excellence of headlights. Traffic nowhere was stopped. The cars were even allowed to race through Rome, dodging pedestrians and tram cars at incredible speed. The race is a gruelling test of courage, endurance and road sense. CHARGED CROWD Birkefi, driving a Magnetic, was forced early to retire with engine trouble. Three accidents were reported. Maserati oveturned, but the occupants were uninjured. An Italian baby car was ditched on the dangerous Radiofani Bass, and the occupants were taken to hospital. An unidentified car, driven at a terrific speed, charged .a crowd of spectators at Rovigo, injuring several.

The. first afrival in the heavy catclass, and probably the actual winner of the race, was an Alfa-Eomco, driven by an Italian, Xuvolari. It averaged 67.46 m.p.li. Last year’s winner, Borzacchini, retired with engine trouble after averaging 71.27 m.p.h. from Brescia to Rome, thereby winning Signor Mussolini’s trophy awarded to the first arrival in Rome. Great crowds cheered the British victory, which was deservedly popular. ‘Lord Howe emphasises that the Magncttes entered merely to stay the course, and not to win. They triumphantly vindicated the supremacy of British light cars, he said.