Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume III

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RACING MOTOR CAR. 329 depended upon their racing cars for their reputations, and they therefore began to spend a great deal of time and money in perfecting their designs. This was without question good for the general standard of progress, but it involved a considerable dis- organization of factory routine and a very large expenditure of money. Hence makers now began to object to racing. In 1905 the cars were designed to suit the circuit which had been chosen as the scene of the Gordon-Bennett— The last Gor- dons Bennett Race, 1905. a circuit very differ- ent from the usual type, being full of bad corners and danger- ous places. The cars were of very diverse types — some large, others JENATZY COMING UP TO TAKE THE HAIRPIN TURNING AT ROCHEFORT IN THE GORDON-BENNETT RACE OF 1905. comparatively small, like the Darracqs, which were amongst the most successful of the year. In one case an underslung frame was used, to obtain higher speed on the curves by lowering the centre of gravity ; and in most of the vehicles great care was taken with regard to clutches and cooling systems—vital points on such a circuit. The French trials were won by Théry on a Richard-Brasier, which was one of the most moderately powered cars in the con- test ; and his subsequent victory in the Gordon- Bennett itself added the fourth successive win to the laurels of the famous Frenchman. This race at one time seemed to be in the hands of LANCIA, THE HERO OF THE 1905 GORDON - BENNETT RACE. These cars were amongst the fastest of 1905, and Lancia, after losing the Gordon-Bennett through a damaged radiator, subsequently lest the Vanderbilt Cup, when leading by a considerable margin, through a collision with a com- petitor. Lancia, who drove mag- nificently throughout the first two laps ; but at the end of the third he dam- aged his radiator in some way, and was compelled to retire. This was the last of the Gordon-Bennett races, for the French decided not to com- pete again until the rules had been altered so as to give each country representation proportionate to its capacity for producing cars. With this end in view they substi- tuted their Grand Prix, which was in 1906 a two-day affair, won by a Renault piloted by Szisz, who averaged about 67 miles per hour