This second article, all were to follow each other on a day’s sequence, is a short one. Published on the day of the event, June 14th, discusses the withdrawal of the Belgian team (except Camille Jenatzy) and that Alfred Velghe, a.k.a. „Levegh“ would participate on his own account.
With permission of the Bibliothèque national francais, gallica.bnf.fr Text and fotos compiled by motorracinghistory
THE NEW YORK HERALD, European Edition — No. 23,306, Thursday, June 14, 1900, page 1.
START OF THE AUTO RACE.
All but the Belgian Team Leave Ville d’Avray En Route for Lyons.
REPORTING THE CONTEST.
Bulletins to Be Posted in the Vestibule of the A.C.F.
There is very little to add to the particulars given, yesterday, in the HERALD regarding the International Cup Race, to be run to-day, from Paris to Lyons.
The start, as previously announced, will be at three o’clock this morning, at Ville d’Avray.
The Comte de Chasseloup-Laubat (French delegate) and Count Sierstorpff (German delegate) will act as official starters.
Much surprise was felt yesterday at the news that the Belgian automobilists, three in number, would not race.
M. Michaud, of the Bolide Company, said: „We have determined not to compete because the regulations governing the race have not been carried out. The rules say distinctly that the exact date will be fixed by common accord between the clubs interested. This has not been done, and no notice has been given us officially of the present date in time to make our preparations.
„Everyone knows that the Government prohibited the race, and so we were not ready to compete on the 14th of June. This is why we asked for a postponement.“
French Team Starts.
The French trio left the avenue de la Grande Armée last evening for the starting point in the best of spirits, and the machines, which had been carefully put in order during the day, were said to work admirably.
Mr. Winton left early in the afternoon for Ville d’Avray. The American automobilists in Paris all felt that their plucky compatriot would give a good account of himself.
M. Houry, in speaking to a HERALD correspondent at the Automobile Club yesterday, said, when questioned about the effect of rain on the roads: „A little rain will do no harm on such roads as those over which the race is to be run. They are hard, clean, and in good condition.“
The race will terminate at the Restaurant des Délices (Demi-Lune) at Lyons.
Arrangements have been made whereby the Automobile Club de France will receive telegrams from different parts of the route, and these will be posted in the vestibule of the club, in the place de la Concorde.
A Late Objection.
At a late hour last evening a curious incident occurred in connection with the race, which proves, among other things, how many the difficulties are with which the Automobile Club de France has to cope.
The mayor of Saint-Symphorien (Eure-et-Loir) declared that the racing automobiles could not pass through his town limits. This decision, if maintained, meant that the race could not be run to-day. However, the mayor’s objections – not weighty ones – being only that, he had no time to make the necessary arrangements, were discussed with him by the committee of the Automobile Club, and the embargo removed.
A Great Secret.
According to the „Velo,“ there is a great secret in connection with this morning’s start. M. Levegh, who was much disappointed at not being selected as one of the French team, will follow the race on his own account, to demonstrate the speed of his machine.
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