Introduction on the title is on it’s way.
With permission of hathitrust hathitrust.org == Text and fotos compiled by motorracinghistory
Motor Age — Volume IX, No. 24, June 14, 1906
GOSSIP OF GRAND PRIX
Paris, May 29 – Lots were drawn today for the order of starting the grand prix, with the result that the cars will leave in the following order: Dietrich, Fiat, Renault, Darracq, Brasier, Mercedes, Gobron, Itala, Gregoire, Panhard, Vulpes, Hotchkiss and Clement. The majority of the starters have three cars each and there will be three series of starts in the above order. The cars leaving every 90 seconds, all will be off before 6:50 a. m., the start being at 6 a. m. The fastest car will be about in sight after its first round, before the last car is out of hearing. The driver of the third Brasier will be Pierry, an assumed name. The owner was at one time a champion French cyclist. It was to have been Lebrun, but owing to his recent accident which destroyed three of his fingers, he will no longer be seen at the wheel of a racing automobile.
The general lines of the cars engaged for the grand prix are gradually becoming known. Rumors are published from time to time, although often incorrect. At the present time no details can be given regarding the makes of tires which will be used by the several cars, contracts not having been concluded in all cases. As a rule, however, a light make of tire is being pushed for this race, that is, the fabric is thinly woven, although the number of thicknesses is, if anything, increased. Resistance is giving way to endurance here, the distance and speed having much to do with the choice. All the cars have pressed steel frames, except the Gobron Brillie, which has a steel tubular frame. The Darracq and Hotchkiss cars have metallic wheels and the remainder have wooden wheels with steel or artillery hubs. Wheels show a tendency to larger diameters this year. The majority of the cars have 34-inch wheels, slightly more for the rear wheels and slightly less for the front. Thickness of tires averages 3½ inches for front to 44 inches for rear wheels. The smallest wheelbase, the Hotchkiss, is 8 feet 6 inches and the largest, the Brillie, 9 feet 6 inches. The average is about 9 feet. Six makers support cone clutches; six have plate clutches. One or two have spiral spring clutches, notably the Mercedes.
Chain transmission is about equally divided with cardan. The average horsepower of the motors is 120 and over, the highest being the Fiat, with 135, and the lowest the Gregoire with 70 horsepower. All but two makers employ centrifugal pumps for water circulation. Bees’ nest and winged radiators are equally represented.
The Clement cars will be of the four-cylinder type. The six-cylinder cars which this firm was to have raced are but in a testing stage and cannot be ready in time for the race.
From recent tests made, the Brasier cars are believed to be capable of doing a mile in under 38 seconds, giving a speed of nearly 98 miles per hour. The Darracq, Fiat, Itala and Dietrich cars are sup posed to be powered for 10 miles an hour faster than this; the Panhard and Bayard slightly less. These figures, however, are all subservient to the average over the 750 miles of circuit to be covered at the best average speed in order to gain the victory. Most of the cars are close to the limit of weight – 2,200 pounds. The heaviest is the Hotchkiss, with 2,210 pounds, and the lightest is the Gregorie, with 1,580 pounds, and then the Darracg with 1,800 pounds. Radiators in this race are receiving great attention from all the competitors, many of whom think the race turns on an ample cooling device. All preparations are now complete and France awaits the race.
Photos.
Page 12.
THE GRAND PRIX ERECTING GRAND STANDS AT THE FINISHING POINT
THE GRAND PRIX-COVERING A BAD STRETCH OF ROADWAY WITH PLANKS
Page 13.
THE GRAND PRIX-WORKMEN REPAIRING, LEVELING AND OILING THE ROADBED
THE GRAND PRIX – IMPROVISED HOTEL ERECTED ON THE COURSE
(CIRCUIT de la SARTHE – AU CONFORT de L’AUTO – FRANCE ET NATIONS ETRANGERES – P. Boyard, M D Hotel, Abaye)
Photos hathitrust.org, modified by AI
