I am very pleased to have the opportunity of writing my experiences of the Grand Prix d’Europe, especially in The Brooklands Gazette, because I have always found the British racing motorist a good sportsman, and very often a formidable rival on the course.
It has been said that this year’s race was an easy affair for the Alfa-Romeo cars, but just because my compatriot Campari and I happened to be the only two drivers to finish the course, one should not imagine the race was what you call a “walk-over.” No, indeed, it was a very severe test of endurance, both for the cars and the drivers, and, of course, I am more than delighted to have driven my beautiful Alfa-Romeo to victory once again.
My car, as well as that of Campari and Brilli Perri, has been improved a little since last year’s race, and perhaps a few details may go to show that it is really an ideal machine for very fast racing. The eight-cylinder engine (61 mm. by 85 mm.) has overhead valves, driven by two separate camshafts, and is supercharged by the Alfa-Romeo Compressor, which helps to give the enormous engine speed. During the race my revolution counter frequently registered 7,000 r.p.m., and at this speed the engine develops nearly 175 h.p. The engine clutch and gear box are combined in a single unit, and there are four forward speeds, the transmission having an enclosed shaft in a torque tube. All these cars were designed by Signor Jano, who was formerly with the Fiat Company. I should like to give further details of this wonderful car, but I have to speak of the race, so must not wander into the realms of technique.
