Need For State Subsidies In International Car Racing

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18632, 16 February 1935, Page 9

Need For State Subsidies In International Car Racing

p.VR racing in the international field has become a sport in which there is intense rivalry, and one that re quires lavish expenditure. The position has arisen that, if the national colors are to have a fair chance of being carried to victor;/, factories and competitors who seek international speed honors must, be sponsored and subsidised by their respective Governments. For some years Franco enjoyed a pre-eminent position in the big ear class, thanks largely to the unstinted help of ,M. Kttorc Bugatti, who not only expended large sums on racing models, but also retained some of tin 1 foremost drivers to pilot them.

Tt was but natural that Italy should regard such successes as a challenge, and Signor Mussolini gave his support to the formation of the redoubtable Seud'eria Ferrari (Ferrari Stable), which joined forces for compelition purposes with the A lfs-Romeo factory, and soon made the name of that make famous in European racing circles.

Germany in turn came into the picture, and under Herr Hitler’s aegis Dr. Porsche was commissioned to design a number of ultra-l'ast models for contest work. 11 is rumored that that enterprise has cost over £150,006 and that in no circumstances will the German authorities dispose of model; of the Pi-cylinder rear-engined e:u which was evolved by Dr. Porsche and captured many races during last year. The Pace Quickens. Tlie pace lias quickened, and Franco and Italy are, it is believed, striving hard to bring out new racing types in ]!>.‘!s. The .French authorities have opened a fund'to subsidise the development of Bugatti nod Deluge racing models, and the Automobile Club ot France has given a liberal coni I'ibut ion.

The position with regard to British cars is that they have scored an enviable string of wins in the light cai Held, where they are supreme, but larger racing types, comparable t< those mentioned above, are not at present available.

It is understood that efforts are now being made by enthusiasts in Great Britain to stimulate a move to subscribe £250,000 to subsidise one or two leading manufacturers for the building of several special machines for the international races. That enterprise is no reflection on the achievements which have been made by the lightei cars, but has been prompted by reason of the fact that no British factory at present specialises in the construction of large straight-out racing models.