TEST FOR NERVES

Southland Times, Issue 22010, 9 May 1933, Page 4

TEST FOR NERVES

BRITISH MOTOR TRIUMPH. DANGEROUS ITALIAN COURSE. M.G. Magnettes, flying tiny Union Jacks and driven by George Eyston and Lord Howe, were first and second in the 1100 cubic centimetres class in Italy’s “1000 miles,” the most dangerous motor race in the world. Ej’ston finished in 18 hours Imin. 4 sec., and averaged 56.90 miles an hour. 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 villagestreets, congested cities, dangerous mountain passes, and 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.

Birkin, driving a Magnete, was forced to retire early with engine trouble. Three accidents were reported. Maserati overturned, but the occupants were uninjured. An Italian baby car was ditched on the dangerous Radiofani Pass, 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 arrival in the heavy car class, and probably the actual winner of the race, was an Alfa-Romeo, driven by an Italian, Nuvolari. It averaged 67.46 miles an hour. Last year’s winner, Borzacchini, retired with engine trouble after averaging 71.27 miles an hour 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 emphasized that the Magnettes entered merely to stay the course, and not to win. They triumphantly vindicated the supremacy of British light cars, he said.