The Gordon Bennett Race – Autocar – 18 June 1904

   The extremely handsome and well-designed grandstand began filling with the élite very early in the morning, until hard upon the bour when the first German car should be sent upon its way the stand was nearly full. Nothing could be better than the arrangements for the comfort of the seat-holders, but at fifty shillings odd per seat, those who had paid the fee had reason to expect some consideration. Refreshment rooms, cloakrooms, retiring rooms, and offices for the officials were provided beneath the stands, so that the comfort of all was considered. The awnings preserved the occupants from the fierce rays of the sun, and the liberal dosing of Westrumite to which the roadway had been treated set at naught the demon dust. The whole place was gay with the bunting of all nations, flowers, palms, and the costumes ravissantes of the fair thrilled and expectant. The eighteen cars which were presently to contest a fierce fight over eighty-seven miles of winding and hilly road had been for some time upon the scene, and occasionally the fiery gruntlings of their exhausts could be heard over the buzz of conversation and the strains of the splendid military bands.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE KAISER.
Very quietly and with very little demonstration on the part of the assembled crowds – for few noticed the event – the Kaiser arrived at the grandstand at 6.50 and took up his position in the Royal box.
The grandstand at Saalburg is in every way an imposing and most gaily and tastefully decorated structure 328 feet in length, on each side of the road, with its further ends rounded to sweep over the course aa it drops down the hill to Wehrheim by an artistic bridge accommodating a large number of people. The folks, seated here get a fine view of the competing machines as they sweep round the big bend topping the fairly steep climb from Homburg. The stand is crammed, no less than 2,500 delighted sightseers being accommodated, seated and standing.
On the right-hand side is a handsome pavilion to accommodate the committee and press, while on the left is another, beautifully finished and furnished for the comfort of H.I.M. the Emperor and his suite. The stand has coat no less than £ 3,000, but if there are no dead beads to-day, the German Automobile Club will net just that amount of profit.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE COMPETITORS.
At a very early bour Jenatzy came on to the course amidst a perfect hurricane of Hochs! and drew up a little short of the starting line; others of the competitors came up at varying intervals and took up their positions behind Jenatzy. Edge arrived at 6.40, and shortly afterwards Jarrott came in from Usingen; both looked perfectly cool and fit. Later Girling put in an appearance, having also come from Usingen: he completed the trio of eager and healthy-looking Englishmen.

THE STARTERS IN THE RACE.
The following are the actual starters in the race, the preceding number is that officially allotted, and the weights given are those recorded in the first weighing in. It will be noticed that some of the cars exceed the 1,000 kilos. (19 cwt. 2 qrs. 16 lbs.
one kilo, equals 2.2 lbs.) limit, but these were eventually brought down to the required weight, excepting those who had an allowance of an extra seven kilos, for magneto ignition. In any case each car which finishes will be re-weighed, and if outside the limit, will be disqualified.
ENGLAND –                                                  w/kgs.
2. Edge        90? h.p. Wolseley                      980 (?)
9. Girling      72 h.p. Wolseley                        995
15 Jarrot      96 h.p. Wolseley                        962
GERMANY-
1. Jenatzy    90 h.p. Mercedes                      999
8. De Caters 90 h.p. Mereedes                     1,000
14. Opel       70? h.p. Opel-Darracq             1,000
FRANCE-
5. Thery       90 h.p. Georges Richard-Brasier  990
12. Salleron  100 h.p. Mors                            1,004
18. Rougier   100 h.p. Turcat-Méry                  1,007
AUSTRIA-
3. Werner     90 h.p. Mercedes                       999
10. Braun     90 h.p. Mereedes                       1,004
16. Warden   90 h.p. Mereedes                       1,007
BELGIUM-
6. De Crawhez        60 h.p. Pipe                    1,004
13. Auzitres            60 h.p. Pipe                    1,002
19. Haalvast           60 h.p. Pipe                   994
ITALY-
4. Lancia                65 h p. F.I.A.T.                1,005
11. Strorero           65 h p. F.I.A.T.                1,005
17. Cagno              65 h p. F.I.A.T.                1,005

THE START OF THE RACE.
Exactly at five minutes to seven Jenatzy took his seat on the 90 h.p. Mercedes which he was driving. At seven o’clock to the minute he got the word to go, and went away with water running from the radiator, probably from having just a little too much in the tank. Edge got away in splendid style amidst cheers from the spectators. He smartly changed his speed under the bridge at the grandstand to take advantage of the rapid fall in the course. Werner came next, making a clean start when the word was given. Lancia came to the tine next and was remarkable for the black F.LA.T. car which he was driving. He got away quickly, the engine running sweetly, and the car accelerating rapidly as he went under the bridge.
   Thery was well received when his turn to start came, and getting the word to „go“ got his car away in splendid style. Baron de Crawhez, wearing a smart yellow smock, came up next, looking well and confident. His engine was running beautifully, but he made a false start. However, he pulled his car through and got away quickly. Much interest was felt as Baron de Caters came to the line, Dufaux, the sole representative of Switzerland, having failed to come to the starting point. The fates were against the gallant De Caters, as his engine stopped one minute before time, the petrol not having been turned on. Someone whose enthusiasm got the better of his judgment, went to push the car off, and the engine was again stopped by De Caters in his excitement. The car was then pushed back by several people, the ignition being at fault. Girling’s turn came next, and he went away magnificently.

   The second Austrian, Braun, a keen, good-looking man, then took up his position, and started well. A few seconds afterwards De Caters came by the starting line with a grand rush and went past the crowd amidst great cheers. His speed past the stand was very fast. Storero then lined up, and the sweet running of his engine excited much remark. The start was very clean. Salleron on his Mors attracted much attention, being the reputed second-best French car, and with his engine running robustly he went away in excellent style. Augières, with the unlucky number of thirteen, made a slow start, in fact, the worst as yet. Opel, on the German Darracq, mistook the timekeeper’s signal, and moved off two seconds before time, and was stopped; he then got away four seconds late, being pushed at the start. Jarrott formed the centre of attraction when he came up smiling as usual. The exhaust of his Wolseley sounded encouraging at the word go, the car fairly leapt forward, and as he dashed away, he nearly knocked down a perfectly useless official starter, who had been fooling with a red flag from the beginning. He got away rapidly, and started in splendid form, the engine running perfectly, Warden, the Austrian, would not be photographed; his start was clean, and fairly fast. Cagno on his black F.I.A.T. car then lined up, his engine running as sweetly as Storero’s. He moved gently away but picked up very quickly as he cleared the grandstand, his car running well, Rougier, the last of the three Frenchmen, on his Turcat-Méry, left next, making a good start. Hautvast, the third Belgian, on his Pipe and the last starter, took position, and left at 8.59.

THE PROGRESS OF THE RACE.
10.30 A.M.
   At 9.20 a report arrived that Opel had abandoned the race at Usingen. Shortly after the noise of an engine was heard, and sounding the corner Jenatzy rushed past, going well. He had covered the actual racing course in 1h. 26m. 56s. The seven minutes interval passed, and it was clear that Edge at least was losing on the leaders. Presently his engine was heard, and he flew by the grandstand, doing the first course, less controls, in 1h. 31m. 44s., being 4m. 48s. behind Jenatzy. At a quarter to ten the advice came that De Crawhez was “en panne” between Esch and Idstein.
10.57 A.M.
   Great cheering greeted the coming of Thery, who arrived at 9.50, doing the first round in one hour twenty-six minutes fifty-seven seconds with controls eliminated, so that he had passed both Werner and Lancia in the first round. At about ten o’clock De Crawhez was reported as being again on the road.
At eight minutes past ten Werner flew by, completing the circuit, which he did in 1h. 58m. 41s.
Lancia shortly followed, doing 1h. 54m. 53s. Next at 10.20 came Girling, who completed his first round in one hour thirty-two minutes fifty-five seconds.
He was quickly followed by De Caters, who was one hour forty-three minutes fifteen seconds, which includes his false start. When Girling went through, he appeared to be running on three cylinders, but passed at a fine speed. It will be noticed that Théry was only one second slower than Jenatzy in the first round, but it was reported from Oberursel that Théry had been let out of that control thirty seconds before time, which would make him half a minute and one second slower than Jenatzy.
   The sky had now clouded over, but the day was still magnificent. Braun was reported as losing fourteen minutes at Oberursel with a punctured tire. At a quarter to eleven Salleron dashed by, doing the distance without controls in 1h. 56m. 53s., going well. At ten minutes to eleven Braun completed his first round in 1h. 36m. 53s, travelling well. Four minutes later Storero dashed by, having done the course in 1h. 54m. 57s, and at eleven o’clock De Crawhez passed, having taken 2h. 28m. 32s. A minute or two later Jarrott dashed by, saluting the cheering crowds; his time for the first round of the cosrse was 1h. 35m. 18s. A report reached Saalburg about eleven o’clock that Edge had lost fourteen minutes on the road during his second round repairing his steering. At 11.23 Cagno, one of the Italians, passed for the first time, doing the round in 1h. 42m. 24s.
1.15 P.M.
   Shortly after half-past eleven Augières went by very slowly, completing his first round in 2h. 25m. 7s. At twenty minutes to twelve Warden went by, doing 2h. 7m. 14s. He was followed closely by Hautvast, who did the course in 1h. 46m. 47s. At ten minutes to twelve Jenatzy completed his second round, the total net time for the two rounds being 2h. 55m. 29s, the second turn being 2m. slower than the first. Rougier followed shortly after, completing his first round in 2h. 6m. 24s. Jenatzy was travelling very fast, but Rougier poorly. At ten minutes past twelve the report came in that Werner had broken down at Esch.
Thery has at a quarter past twelve completed his second round, doing the two rounds of the course in 2h. 53m. 43s. having gained nearly two minutes on Jenatzy. Thery is running very regularly.
   The Emperor about mid-day walked down to the corner looking towards Homburg and there mingled with the crowd, chatting with all and sundry. Edge had not completed his second round at a quarter to one, so that he is in trouble somewhere. Girling went by about ten minutes to one, finishing his second round. 3h. 7m. 7s. is the net time of his two rounds – he did 1m. 17s. better than his first round. Lancia did 3h. 37m. for the two rounds, and Werner 3h. 51m. 29s. going well.

CLOSE ORDER.
2.47 p.m.
At six minutes past one, De Caters and Edge whirled by within two seconds of each other, De Caters leading. Edge occupied 4h. 7m. 54s. net time for the two rounds. The order now is Thery, Jenatzy, Girling, and De Caters. At 1.25 Braun passed Saalhurg. Storero followed a little later. At a quarter to two Salleron went by, and at two o’clock Jarrott passed for the second time in good form, taking 3h. 31m. 51s. for the two rounds. A report that Salleron had run De Crawhez into the ditch at Idstein, and that De Crawhez had protested, has come in. At five minutes past two, Cagno finished his second round. He is now fourth, and Jarrott fifth. Later came Crawhez, going well. At 2.20 Jenatay finished his third round in 4h, 37m. 46s., making 4h. 33m. 15s. for the three rounds. Hautvast came directly after, finishing his second round. Rougier finished his second round, and was closely followed by Warden.
3.19 p.m.
   At twenty minutes to three Thery went by going well, tfinishing his three rounds in 4h, 23m. 40s., this being 9m. 35s. faster than Jenatzy. Both these are now in their last round. Augières appears to be in trouble. He has not yet completed his second round. In the second round there is only one second difference between De Caters and Jarrott. At three o’clock the order was Thery, Jenatzy, Girling, Cagno, Hautvast, Jarrott, and De Caters.
   The intelligence department at Saalburg has quite broken down. No news of what is happening elsewhere arrives here. It is reported that Storero has broken his back axle in the third round at Usingen. At twenty minutes to four Lancia finished his third round and was almost immediately followed by De Caters. Later Edge went by, having done 3h. 45m. 35s. for the three rounds. At twelve minutes to four Werner passed, going very fast, doing nine minutes faster than Edge. At four o’clock Girling finished his third round, doing 3h. 23m. 15s, and seven minutes later Braun passed. The order at 4-15 was: Thery, Jenatzy, De Caters, Braun, Girling, Lancia, Werner, and Edge.

THE WINNER DECLARED.
5.15 P.M.
   As twenty-five minutes to five Salleron went through, running into seventh place. At this period of the race the Emperor and Empress returned to their box in time to cee Jenatzy finish his final round in 6h. 1m. 28 3/8s. Jarrott finished his third round, replanting Salleron for seventh place. Rougier was the next to pass, running into fourth place, which had previously been hele by Braun. Thery then rushed by the finishing point, completing the full distance of the course in 5h. 56m. 3s, equal to an average speed of 53.42 miles per hour, beating Jenatzy by 11m. 25s. He was at once declared the winner. M. Brazier was immediately received by the Kaiser.
   After Thery had finished, Hautvast passed, finishing his third round. Thery passed in his car on the way back in front of the Emperor, and was immensely cheered, the English hurrahs telling particularly. Cagno stopped in the fourth round.
Only five cars will be placed. De Crawhez gave up at the end of the third round. His engine became so hot that the petrol boiled before it reached the carburetter. De Caters finished third, doing 6h. 45m. 31s. Lancia finished at about twenty past six, having completed the course in 7h. 17m. 54-1/5s. Werner came in about half-past six, having done 7h. 32m. 14-3/4s. Just before seven o’clock Braun finished, doing 6h. 59m. 49s. Thery filled up with petrol during the third round, which accounts for the three extra minutes in that circuit.
   Just before seven Girling arrived, having completed the full course in 7h. 22m. 54-1/2s. Crawhez will lodge an objection to Salleron, alleging that the latter bored him into a ditch on a curve just before half-past seven. Rougier protested that Jenatzy had been allowed to pass out of Königstein control before him, although Rougier had entered half a minute before Jenatzy. The finishing order was as follows: De Caters, Rougier, Braun, Salleron, Lancia, Girling, Werner, and Hautvast.
   Edge broke down at Wehrheim in the fourth round, the clutch ring having broken. Cagno and Jarrott both finished in 7h. 23m. 36-3/5s.

TOTAL TIMES FOR THE FOUR ROUNDS.
                            H.      M.      S.
THERY                   5        50      3
JENATZY                6        1        28 3/8
DE CATERS            6        46      31 3/8
ROUGIER               6        48      31 1/8
BRAUN                  6        59      49
HAUTVAST            7        2        36 3/8
SALLERON            7        15      3
LANCIA                 7        17      54 1/8
GIRLING                7        21      54 1/8
JARROTT               7        23      36 3/8
CAGNO                 7        25      36 3/8
WERNER               7        32      14 3/8