The Crittenden Automotive Library

TO TAKE NO PART IN AUTO RACES ABROAD

TO TAKE NO PART IN AUTO RACES ABROAD

The Indianapolis Star
19 January 1908

Little Possibility That America Will Send Speed Marvels to Europe.

RUMOR, HOWEVER, IS STARTED

Fails to Elicit Any Enthusiasm From Manufacturers, Who Dislike Project.

NEW YORK, Jan. 18.—A rumor that America may be represented this year in some of the big automobile races abroad, preferably the French Grand Prix, has recently been started on its annual rounds. It has, however, failed to elicit any enthusiasm and indeed, after the disastrous showing of the Christie car, which made an effort to uphold the prestige of the American motor industry last season over the Dieppo course against the best productions of Franch, Italy and Germany, American motorists are apt to regard any statement that an attempt will be repeated this year with considerable doubt.

In other words the American manufacturer who essays to represent this country in Europe in any of the historic road races will have to show the lovers of motor sport at home that he means business and is seriously preparing a fast and reliable car.

There seems to be no possibility that America will take part in any of the big contests abroad this year. In the first place, the international rules, with their weight and cylinder bore limitations, are at variance with the racing rules adopted here for the Vanderbilt Cup. Perhaps it would be truer to say that the American rules are at variance with those abroad, for practically all of the European countries have agreed to the new racing code. America has agreed to the new weight regulation of 2,424 pounds, but the cylinder bore limitation of 155 millimeters, about 6.2 inches, has not been accepted.

In view of this fact, which permits the American cup racers built for the race that was expected to be held last season to be overhauled for the event this year without extensive changes in the motors, there is no likelihood that American makers will build new racing machines to send abroad. In fact, with the growing interest in stock car races and the opportunities that are being offered for such contests this season it is quite apparent that the domestic makers will confine their activities to their own territory, relying upon the Vanderbilt Cup race to bring out the competitive speed properties of the foreign and American machines.

Racing Interest in France High.

Racing interest in France seems to be livelier for the coming year than has been the case for several seasons. The reason is plain. France lost all the big road races last year—Nazarro, with the Italian fiat car capturing in succession the Florio event in Italy, the German Emperor's Cup and last, and most bitter of all, the French Grand Prix. To regain her prestige as the builder of successful racing cars the French makers are putting forth exceptional efforts to construct the best and fastest machines of 1908.

A number of French cars are virtually finished for the next Grand Prix, and the fact that the Brasier concern has prevailed upon Thery, who twice won the Gordon Bennett Cup with the Brasier cars, to re-enter the racing game indicates the keen desire of France to regain the trophy. Six big concerns are now preparing teams of three cars for the race—the Panhard, Renault, Brasier, Clement, De Dietrich and Motabloc. The C. G. V., is planning to enter one or two and the Braquet is building two six-cylinder machines.

The Italian autoists are also showing activity, Nazarro has been experimenting with his new car for some time. Three Fiats, three Italas, three Isottas, besides those from one or two other Italian concerns, are being built for the 1908 races. Belgium has made bold to name the first three official entries for the Grand Prix, a team of three Germans having been entered.

Germany will be represented by the Mercedes, Benz and Opol cars, Hemory again being seen in a Benz car which he drove last year. The Ariel cars of England are the only ones actually assured thus far from that country, but two or three other makers are likely to be represented. From this early resume of probable entrants there are now fifty-three prospective starters assured, and this is likely to be somewhat increased instead of reduced.

Last year the Grand Prix had thirty-four entries, and as the starters this year will be very nearly twice that number the keen interest in road racing abroad is clearly apparent.