TOURIST TROPHY

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 169, 19 August 1929, Page 8

TOURIST TROPHY

Australian Press Association.

SIX NATIONS COMPETE. Described As A Motor Epic.

^ LONDON, August 17. In the Royal Automohile Cluh's international tourist trophy race at Belfast, Carriciola, driving a Mercedes, was first, Zaupari (Alta Romeo) second, and Nash (Austin) third. At least half a million people witnessed the race, in which there were sixtylive competitors. Six nations competed in the greatest road race in history of 4IU miles for the Royal Automohile Club's international tourist trophy race at Belfast. A downpour of rain yesterday threateucd to spoil the prospects, but the roads were in such a pei-fect- state that a few hours drv restored the surface. Manv spec-tators canipetl all night at vantage pomts 011 the circuit of l'3i miles, Sf) that the competitors had to make 30 laps, forming one of the most difficult courses in the world. There v ere hairpin c-orners m ahundance, "hut alst: long straights on which large cars could stretr-h their legs. The race is described as a motor epic. The giant was Carriciola. laughing and dare devil, in a monstrous Mercedes racer, who staggered the motoring world. Tlie great joke was the baby Anstins, who were given such handsonie starts that tlie racing experts of

six nations had to risk their necks and reputations to catcli them. The course was treacherous. Heavy rain turned deadly curves and hairpin hends into death traps. Carriciola dashed ahead fiom the start like a thunderbolt, driving like a madman, taking risks, and making the crowd sick with fear. He got ahead by laps in a few minutes, crouching amid the dirt and oil of the pits. Near th'e end of the race one car rau into a breakdovn gaug of men, one of whoni died in hospital and five were seriously injured. There were manv driving aceidents, but it is amazing that nobodv was seriously liurt. Kidston, in a Bently, crashed, but he and lrs niechanic were unhurt. Higgins (Britain) dashed mto the Towu Hall at Newton Hards at a pace of seventy miles an hour and esc-aped injury. A groan went up when Kaye Don had to retife owing to engme trouble.. Rubin, another Englisb competitor, overturned and his car had co be raised to extricate hira, wlien he shouted, "I'm not liurt," and lielped c-lear the debris. Another car got 011 fire. _ Before long twenty starters had retiied, put ont hy disastrous skids, hut tlie German dashed on as though lie bore a ehanned lifc. Campai-i pays a tribute to Cari-iciola's amazing skill and the manner m which the winnmg car stood up to the gruelling of the 400 miles course. The leading average speeds are: — Carriciola 72.8, Campari 67.5, Nash 50.6, Holbrook, who was fourth, also driving an Anstin Seven, 59.5. Alfa Romeos filled fifth and sixth places.