The Coupe Internationale – How France regained it

Text and pictures by courtesy of Hathitrust USA, University of Michigan.
SUPPLEMENT TO MOTOR, JULY 1904
By Monsieur Carbureter

HOMBURG, June 18. — The coveted trophy known as the Coupe Internationale, generally referred to as the Gordon Bennett cup, goes back to France for another year, where, as a British visitor remarked last evening, „it should always have remained.“

Théry won in the presence, not only of 50,000 people, but of the German Emperor, and the Emperor waved his cap at him as he shot past the grandstand over the finish line. Such royal honors were never bestowed on a motorist, and it is now evident that a motor race event and the winning „chauffeur“ can raise as much palpitating interest and as much wild enthusiasm as a turf Derby and victorious jockey.

From a German standpoint, „the blow almost killed father,“ as France, with its comparatively new Richard-Brasier racer, took the prize away from the proud veteran Mercedes. The chagrin manifested „this side of the Rhine“ is keenly felt by the German trade and fraternity, although, mind you, there was no inkling of it in the hearty congratulations which the Kaiser bestowed upon the French winner, nor in the message he sent to the President of the French Republic.

It will be traditionally correct to report that the Frenchmen present „went wild“ with joy. It seemed for a moment that perhaps Théry had won back Alsace-Lorraine. The prize, however, was only a nice work of art, which in future years can float around among other nations.

The order on the first round, with respect to times made, was: Jenatzy, Théry, Edge, Girling, Jarrott, Salleron, Cagno, de Caters, Hautvast, Lancia, Brown, Werner, etc.

Then, on the second round, Théry gained ten minutes on Jenatzy, and the race was a duel to the end.

After all the contestants had thundered away on the first round, the crowd indulged in impatient waiting and speculation. When the first „speck“ appeared on the horizon announcing the approach of the leader on the first round, the „Hochs!“ resounded, and when the „speck“ developed into a big projectile and shot past the grandstand like a noisy comet the „Hochs!“ were for Jenatzy.

Pretty soon Théry came tearing by, and a rapid calculation showed that he was just one second slower than Jenatzy.

It was at the end of the second round that the French camp really shouted its war cry, for Théry was „to the good“ by 1 minute 46 seconds.

Only the Kaiser was calm. He chatted with Baron de Zuylen, president of the Automobile Club de France, Mr. Clarence Gray Dinsmore, and Mr. Charlemagne Tower, and as for Prince Henry of Prussia, he went to the buffet and ate a ham sandwich. The temperature was oppressive, and the majority of the excited spectators were in a perspiration which suggested beer going and coming.

The crowd was „big and early.“ The course was admirably guarded, as the troops virtually lined the road throughout the entire circuit.

Théry, after he had won, came back along the course, and naturally everybody wanted to shake one or the other of his hands. He was as modest as a crowned hero could be under such circumstances, but he was supremely happy, and his smile was so overwhelming that he looked simply like a big grin in a dusty frame.

Jenatzy was also congratulated on his fine performance, but there were shades of sympathy in the kind words addressed to him, and, as he could not exactly figure himself out the hero of the hour, he shed a few warm tears, which ran down into his dusty beard.

The Kaiser, surrounded by several members of his suite, after the race received M. Brasier. The great monarch and the great motor car maker had a conversation lasting half an hour, at the end of which the monarch presented his delighted guest with his photograph, on which he had written: „To the great French engineer. Monsieur Brasier, as a souvenir of his victory on June 17, 1904. Wilhelm II.“

The international commissioners who verified the result of the race were the Duke of Ratibor (Germany), M. Herrman (Belgium), M. Rene de Knyff (France), Count Sierstorpff (Austria), Mr. Clarence Gray Dinsmore (United States), and Mr. Orde (Great Britain).

The tires used on the German and Austrian Mercedes, the Pipe, and Opel-Darracq were Continental. Those of the Napier and Wolseley were Dunlop. Those of the Fiat, Richard-Brasier, Mors, and Turcat- Mery were Michelin.

The reported explanation made on behalf of Jenatzy for his defeat is to the effect that he lost time in obtaining some petrol, and that this delay cost him the race. Thery averaged 59.65 miles an hour, while the speed of Jenatzy was over a mile an hour slower, 57.84.