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THE MONTE CARLO WEEK ROUNDING OFF THE RALLY

ACOMPETITION, motoring or otherwise, which is not declared by someone to be unfair, is an almost unknown thing. The International Sporting Club, the Automobile Club of Monaco, and M. Anthony Noghes, the President of the A.C.M. on whom the heaviest part of the work of organisation falls, therefore deserve every congratulation on the success of the Monte Carlo Rally.

This year, as everyone knows, the average speed of 25 m.p.h. had to be maintained between each check instead of over the whole distance, so that any car suffering from major troubles enough to cause it to fall as little as half an hour behind time at the controls loses all chance of winning. Furthermore, the marks awarded for the final tests were such that they only sufficed to determine the winner from amongst those from the furthest point from which cars arrived, which was of course in the present Rally, Tallinn, in Estonia. Lastly, the acceleration and braking tests on which the extra marks were based, gave a good indication of the condition of the cars after their strenuous runs across Europe.

A popular success. was won of course M.

The Rally was won of course by M. Vasselle on a Hotchkiss, who also received awards for the greatest distance covered and for being in the first three in three Rallies. His success was very popular amongst all the competitors. Guyot on the Renault was only .7 marks behind Vasselle, and Mme. Rouault on the Sal.inson who was third, also won the Coupe de la Riviera for the highest placed car up to 1,500 c.c. Mme. Schell on her Talbot is a very enthusiastic rally coin

petitor and designed the body and equipment of the car herself. Britain’s name does not figure until 5th place, Lord de Clifford on the Gardner Bentley.

A fine performance this, for the chassis, which is seven years old was never intended to carry a. five litre engine, and the whole outfit was assembled in the first place merely as an experiment. In spite of this, it was driven at high speed throughout and with more modern braking equipment might have improved its place in the final order.

The Wonderful M.G. Magna. in the list

No other English car figures in the list of prize winners, but the performance of Lacroze and Belgrave on the M.G. Magna, who finished 14th, is certainly worthy of comment. These two enthusiasts took their perfectly standard machine, which the makers would be the first to admit, was not designed for negotiating colonial sections, negotiated some of the worst roads in Europe without experiencing any mechanical trouble. Like everyone else from Tallinn, they sufferedconsiderable hardships from the intensecold, butin spite of that finished at Monte Carlo quite unperturbed by what they had gone through.

Best performance from England was made by Lionel Martin, whose Humber Snipe came through in a comfortable and trouble-free run.

It’s no use worrying now, but if Healey hadn’t hit that tree, or if Rupert Riley had managed the final stretch from Vienna —still, there’s always next year. The Concours de Confort, which is not merely for the car which has the most hot water bottles and cocktail-shakers, was won by Townend on a ” 95 ” Talbot

which was prepared by Pass and Joyce. Eight out of eleven awards went to British cars, which was a slight consolation after the rally results.

The Hill-Climb too was quite encouraging, three class records being raised by British cars, the blown Magnette making its bow before the public by putting up fastest time. The marshalling system, with its flag-waving which failed to convey its message of a blocked road, is not worthy of the general level of organisation of the Monte Carlo week, and one hopes next year that a telephone system will be in operation.

The life of a Rally competitor is not all motoring and the Committee arranged a tea-dance at which a large number of cabaret turns were seen, a performance of “The Barber of Seville” at the Opera and the final dinner at the Sporting Club. This year showery weather prevented the procession to the Palace at Monaco for the presentation of prizes, so they were given away instead at the dinner. A magnificent display of fireworks enlivened proceedings, and dancing and festivities went on till six o’clock on Monday morning so that by the time the revellers returned to their hotels, it was time to pack and set off for England.

Thanks, Mr. Browning I In conclusion the thanks of all the

In conclusion the thanks of all the British competitors must be given to Mr. H. B. Browning, secretary of the Monte Carlo Rally British Competitors Club. The arrangements he made enabled members of the Club to secure hotel accommodation at a much reduced rate, and his advice and help was of great service to those visiting Monte Carlo for the first time. A very successful dinner was held at the Riviera Palace Hotel on the Wednesday night, at which Mr. Anthony Noghes and Madame Noghes, General Polovtsoff, President of the Sporting Club, and Mr. M. L. Ainslie, British Vice Consul, and Mrs. Ainslie, were the guests. Amusing speeches were made by Lord de Clifford, President of the Club, Colonel Lindsay Lloyd, the R.A.C. delegate and

the Secretary, and the guests made suitable replies. Some idea of the importance of the British entry is shown by the fact that 25% of the entrants of the Rally were British.