BRDC Bulletin

Le Mans
Lord Howe has received a letter from the President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest expressing grateful appreciation of the sportsmanship of those who so generously contributed to the fund for the restoration of the installations of the Le Mans circuit. Every effort is being made to get the roads forming the circuit in a sufficiently good state of repair to permit of a revival of the 24-hour race next year and the co-operation of the French Government is being sought to this end. However, because of the difficulties of obtaining materials, it will not be possible to do more than provide temporary pits, grand stands and other installations in the time available.

Coupe Automobile du Salon
Scheduled to be run on the Sunday after the opening of the Paris Motor Show, at one time it seemed as if the Bois de Boulogne race would have to be either cancelled or postponed, as it was learnt that the political referendum was being arranged for the same day. Fortunately, the referendum will not be held until the following Sunday, so the race will take place on October 6th as planned. The “Coupe Automobile du Salon,” for racing cars up to 5-litres unsupercharged and up to 11/2-litres supercharged, will be run over 80 laps of the 3.2 km. circuit (i.e., a total distance of approximately 160 miles). Entries, which are limited to 16, will probably include “Bira,” Ansell, Brooke and Parnell. Prize money ranges from 200,000 francs for the winner to 30,000 francs for fourth place. The race will start at 8 p.m., and practising on Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th, will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Pena Rhin
The last race of the European season will be the Pena Rhin, for unsupercharged cars up to 4 1/2 litres and supercharged cars up to 3 litres, to be run at Barcelona on October 27th. The triangular course measures approximately 4.4 km., giving a total distance for the 80 laps of about 220 miles. The winner will receive 25,000 pesetas, and second, third, fourth and fifth place awards are 15,000, 10,000, 6,000 and 5,000 pesetas respectively. It is probable that a number of British drivers will run in this event, including Whitehead, with the Grand Prix E.R.A. Unfortunately, as there is no regular steamship service to any Spanish port, competitors will be obliged to travel overland through France.

Motor Jubilee Ball
The committee of the Motor Jubilee have done everything possible to ensure that this year’s function (to be held in the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday, October 9th) will be one of the most successful of the series of motor balls which in pre-war years were a feature of Motor Show week. Dance music will be provided by Sidney Lipton’s Band, and by “The Skyrockets.” The many attractions include an excellent cabaret featuring the Darmora Ballet, Maurice Colleano and his company, and Tessie O’Shea. A limited number of tickets are still available (price £3 3s. double, £1 15s. single, including buffet supper), for which early application should be made to the secretary.

Racing in Eire
The Irish Motor Racing Club plans to revive both the Cork and Phoenix Park races in 1947. In pre-war years these events were very popular and well supported by British drivers, the Cork race being run in May and the Phoenix Park event in September.