MOTOR RACING.

Southland Times, Issue 20044, 4 December 1926, Page 16 (Supplement)

MOTOR RACING.

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX. BUGATTI CARS WIN. Bugatti, by winning the Italian Grand .’rix at Ronza (Italy) last September, has annexed the motor championship of the world. A practically unknown French amateur named Charavel, but running under the name of “Sabipa,” won the event by covering the 372 miles over the figure-eight track and circuit at an average of 85.87 m.p.h. Amilcar finished first and second in the 1100 c.c. voiturette class. Thirteen starters in the 1500 and the 1100 c.c. classes; the early failure of the Italian competitors; a magnificent display by Constantini who led easily until ten miles from the end; a fine showing on the part of the new 1100 c.c. Amilcars, which are now to be sent to Brooklands; ideal Italian weather, and an enthusiasm which no other nation in Europe seems to possess, were the outstanding features of the last big motor race of the season on the Continent. Doubtless in any other centre such a paucity of competitors would /have been a reason for keeping the spectators away. In Northern Italy the nationalist spirit is well developed, the Grand Prix race is looked upon as an event of national importance which must be supported, and, in addition, there was the attraction of the fetes given in honour of General Nobile, the commander of the Norge expedition to the North Pole. At 9 a.m. the General received one thousand town mayors and some hundreds of Fascist! delegations from all parts of Lombardy; aeroplanes manoeuvred overhead; the Fascisti national anthem was played without interruption, salutes were given, the drivers were presented individually to the hero of the North Pole, and popular enthusiasm was thoroughly worked up when the start was given at eleven o’clock, in perfect weather conditions.

Six out of the sixty laps were sufficient to put the three Bugattis in the lead, and to reduce the field to eight competitors. Constantini was driving magnificently. He covered the third lap in 3min 56 2-ssec, equal to an average of 94.6 m.p.h.; on the fifteenth lap he broke his own record with an average of 96.58 m.p.h., and on the nineteenth averaged exactly 97 m.p.h. “Sabipa” brought his Bugatti to a stop with a left rear tyre in ribbons; Goux, a little later, stopped No 7 Bugatti with the same tyre gone, but the changes were made without any modification in the positions of the three leaders. Later these two had to make a second stop, also for a left rear tyre change, while Constant!, having exactly the same type of car, and riving faster, kept his tyres in good condition. Constantini covered the first 200 kilometres, representing nearly 125 miles, or one-third of the distance, at an average of 96i miles. However, with only two and a half laps to go, and with a lead of twentyfive miles, Constantini’s Bugatti seized and “Sabipa” went to the front. The winner averaged 85.87 m.p.h. and Constant!, who had driven much faster, averaged 83.77 m.p.h. The winning Amilcar in the 1100 c.c. class averaged 82.6 m.p.h. The Bugattis used Solex carburetters and Champion plugs. The two Amilcars used similar equipment and Duulop tyres. The placing were as follows: — 1500 C.C. (372 MILES). 1. “Sabipa” (Bugatti), 4hr 20min 29 sec. 2. Constantini (Bugatti), 4hr 27min Isec. 1100 C.C. (248 i MILES.) 1. Morel (Amilcar), 3hr 32sec. 2. Duray (Amilcar), 3hr 9min 26sec. SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP. The 1926 speed championships have been decided and the results show a victory for British machines in the smaller classes, while the Americans scored in the open event. The results were:— 250 c.c.—G. Grinton (New Imperial), 49 m.p.h. 350 c.c.—J. Guthrie (A.J.S.) 61 m.p.h. 500 c.c — -J. C. Allan (Norton) 60.3 m.p.h. Open.—G. Grinton (Harley-Davidson), 60.6 m.p.h. It is interesting to note that the lightweight class, 2$ h.p., made the fastest time, covering the 20-mile course in 19min 36secs against the 3J h.p. in 19min 5 Isec, or the open class in 19min 48sec.