Italians Out of Race

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 751, 26 August 1929, Page 9

Italians Out of Race

CONTEST MUST GO ON Dark Horse from America ? (United P.A. — Bj/ Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and X.Z. Brass Association. 1 (United Service) Received 11.5 a.in. LONDON, Sunday. THE Italian air attache, at present in London, states that the Schneider Cup team has withdrawn. The chairman of the Schneider Cup committee says the race will not be abandoned. It will be decided on the date fixed (September 7) even though there are no other competitors than the three British planes to carry out the programme. News from America, however, suggests that a United States machine may make a last-minute appearance. The general belief is that this will be the last Schneider Cup race.

The tragic loss on Lake Garda of the Italian pilot, Captain Guiseppa Motta, during training for the Schneider Cup contest, has cast a gloom over preparations for the sensational contest on the Solent. Motta,

who had a distinguished war record as an airman, was second in command of Italy’s high-speed section. Following the news of Motta’s death, which was the third of a series of unfortunate accidents that have befallen Italy in connection with the contest, a request was made by the Italian air attache in London for a postponement of the race for one month. Every sympathy is felt with Italy, which has been placed in an awkward position, no less by lack of readiness with her machines than through tile loss of this distinguished pilot. The Royal Aero Club considered the application for postponement last night, but replied that it was unable to grant the request because the rules of the contest forbade such a postponement. It is pointed out that the contest is something more than

a mere sporting event between two teams. The original entrants were Great Britain, France. Italy and United States of America. France reluctantly intimated that she could not. compete as it was not possible to get her team ready in time and the position of the American entrant is still in doubt. If Italy’s request within a fortnight of the race could have been granted it is also felt that France should have liad legitimate cause for complaint as she might claim that the extra month would have enabled her to compete. Apart from these considerations, in international contests ot' this description involving intricate arrangements for the accommodation of a million spectators, postponement of a month or even a week cannot be lightly considered. Lord Thomson, Secretary of State for Air, has sent the following message to the Italian Air Minister: “The Air Council and Royal Air Force learn with deep regret of the death of Captain Guiseppe Motta and tender their profound sympathy.”