PART 5
XIII° COPPA ACERBO PESCARA (I), 15 AUGUST 1937 16 laps x 25.80 km = 412.8 km
The new Alfa Romeo Tipo 12C/37 finally appeared at Coppa Acerbo. There had been great changes since the last race. Alfa Romeo was back with their own works team so the cars were now entered under the "Alfa Corse" name. The new car was first tested on the track by Guidotti and then Nuvolari took over. Lang's influenza had developed into a kidney inflammation, so he missed the race. Seaman took over Lang's car but during the Friday practice, passing trough the Cappelle village, Seaman locked a brake and crashed into a house totally destroying the car. Seaman was unhurt but as there was no spare car available he was a non-starter. Fagioli was finally back, limping and walking with a stick. He had been out with rheumatism since the Avusrennen. There were the usual problems during practice, Mercedes had problems with their carburettors and Rosemeyer destroyed an engine. On Saturday Rosemeyer held one of his shows, taking off his shirt in the heat and taking the pole position with just cap, shorts, gloves and sandals! Grid:
Race: Caracciola took the start but was soon passed by Rosemeyer who was leading after the first lap with 2 seconds from Caracciola and 17 seconds from von Brauchitsch. Nuvolari was already in trouble with the new Alfa and had dropped to ninth, 50 seconds behind the leading Auto Union. On the second lap Rosemeyer, while trying to shake off Caracciola, made the fastest lap of the race. On lap 4 Stuck started to fall back with engine problems and on the next lap Nuvolari gave up after being passed by Rüesch and handled the Alfa over to Farina. Rüesch had a duel with Sommer that ended when the Swiss driver somersaulted his Alfa. Stuck was in the pits for a lenghty 4:20 stop on lap 6, tanking and changing plugs. He went back to the track in a cloud of fire and smoke and retired on the next lap as did Farina, who had lots of trouble with the new Alfa. After 7 laps Rosemeyer had an over 50 seconds lead but on next lap both he and Caracciola were in for new tyres. The efficient Mercedes crew reduced the distance between the cars to 38 seconds after the stop. On the next lap Rosemeyer struck the 10 kilometer stone with his right rear wheel. Three kilometers later the wheel left the car and rolled into the reserve tyre depot stopping at the feet of the amazed pit crew. The Auto Union came into the depot behind the wheel running on the brake drum! At 8 laps Caracciola led Rosemeyer by 31 seconds but the Auto Union driver soon closed the distance and when Caracciola's car started to run on 7 cylinders and had to make a pitstop on lap 11 Rosemeyer had already caught him. Caracciola was back in the pit on the next lap, Seaman taking over the car. After racing only half a lap Seaman had to stop to extinguish an engine fire, but he was able to continue and bring the car to the finish. At the end Rosemeyer was completely in his own class, not surprisingly as this was the 13th Coppa Acerbo! Von Brauchitsch and Müller were second and third followed by Fagioli, who was so ill that he had to be helped out of the car.
XIII° COPPA ACERBO PESCARA (I), 15 AUGUST 1937 VOITURETTE 1500cc 6 laps x 25.8 km = 154.8 km, 15 starters There were 13 Maseratis against one MG and one ERA at the Voiturette race. Many expected Varzi to show up again but he was not to be seen. Luigi Villoresi took the lead from Bianco and Rocco in what was to become a tragic race. When Pasquino Ermini (Maserati 6CM) tried to overtake Umboli (6CM) he lost control, hit Tongue's ERA and spun into the crowd killing four people and injuring himself and five others. Villoresi and Bianco battled for the lead but the former had to retire with gearbox trouble and the latter did a mistake and left a gap open to Rocco who despite all Bianco's efforts went on to win. No grid available. Race numbers: 26 Bianco, 30 Teagno, 32 Severi, 34 L Villoresi, 36 Ermini, 38 Rocco, 42 Cortese, 44 G Musso, 48 Tongue, 50 Marelli, 52 Benazzi?/Baruffi?, 54 Righetti, 56 Uboldi, 58 Bertani, 60 T Musso DNA: 28 du Puy (Maserati), 40 Baruffi (Maserati), 46 Marazza (Maserati) Results: 1 Rocco (Maserati 6CM *) 1:14:12.4 2 Bianco (Maserati 6CM *) + 5.7 3 Cortese (Maserati 6CM) + 30.8 4 Severi (Maserati 6CM *2) + 1:51.6 5?Baruffi (Maserati 4CM) + 11:26.1 5?Benazzi (Maserati 4CM)? 6 Teagno (Maserati 4CM) + 12:52.2 DNF Righetti (Maserati 6CM *4) DNF Uboldi (Maserati 4CM *3) DNF Marelli (Maserati 4CM *3) DNF Bertani (Maserati 4CM *3) DNF T Musso (MG K3 Magnette 1.1L) DNF G Musso (Maserati 4CM) DNF L Villoresi (Maserati 6CM) 3 laps gearbox DNF Tongue (ERA B) 0 laps crash DNF Ermini (Maserati 4CM *2) 0 laps crash * Entered by Officine A Maserati *2 Entered by Scudria Maremmana *3 Entered by Gruppo Volta *4 Entered by Scuderia Ambrosiana Fastest lap: Bianco (Maserati) 12:09.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3° CIRCUITO INTERNACIONAL DO ESTORIL ESTORIL (P), 15 AUGUST 1937 FORMULA LIBRE 30 laps x 2.81 km = 84.3 km km, 5 starters No race numbers avalable Grid:
Results: 1 M de Oliveira (Ford V8 Especial) 97.415 km/h 2 B Lopes (Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3L) - 1 lap 3 Monte Real (Bugatti T35C) - 2 laps DNF Rayson (Maserati 4CM) 18 laps crash DNF Lehrfeld (Bugatti T35B) 11 laps mechanical Fastest lap: Rayson(Maserati) Lap14 1:35.4, (101.461 km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||
IV GROßER PREIS DER SCHWEIZ BREMGARTEN (CH), 22 AUGUST 1937 50 laps x 7.280 km = 364.00 km. Weather: wet after rain, drying out in some places
Alfa Corse had withdrawn their entry after the catastrophic failure at the Coppa Acerbo. Sensationally Nuvolari was going to start for Auto Union, having been extremely disappointed with the new Alfa. But Nuvolari admitted that he found the rear engined Auto Union hard to handle, especially with so little practice. An ill Fagioli made his last prewar GP start at the Swiss GP. Lang was still so ill that he only could do a few practice laps, but he still decided to enter the race. A friendly doctor had advised him to drink lots of cream before the start! Caracciola did some very good laps during the Saturday practice session to take the pole half a second faster than Rosemeyer. At first the organizers put Nuvolari in fourth place but Mercedes immediately protested, and explained that the Auto Union drivers had tested each others cars during practice without changing race numbers, so Nuvolari's time had in fact been set by Rosemeyer. Nuvolari was finally put back into 7th place on the grid. Grid:
Race: The track was wet after the rain when the field lined up for the Grand Prix. Stuck took the start, turning the Auto Union to the right to cross the track in front of the field and take the lead. He was followed by Caracciola, Rosemeyer, Lang and von Brauchitsch. On the second lap Rosemeyer, chased by Lang, locked the brakes in the Eymatt corner and skidded straight forward out from the wet track. The car got bogged in the soaked ground and although Rosemeyer eventually was pushed back to the track by about two dozend spectators, he decided to retire rather than to later be disqualified, as he had received outside assistance. After having fought for the lead for a while Caracciola eventually got the upper hand over Stuck and started to pull away. Stuck was soon coming under attack from Lang with von Brauchitsch in fourth place 10 seconds behind. Nuvolari was not at his best with the unfamiliar car on the wet track in eight place. He was called in on lap eight and Rosemeyer took over the car. Sommer stopped at his pits on lap four as the gear level had come loose. After 10 laps Lang passed Stuck for second place, 24 seconds behind the leading Caracciola. The problems for the Auto Union team continued. Five laps later Stuck was passed by von Brauchitsch, who made it a Mercedes 1-2-3. They were followed by Stuck, Fagioli Rosemeyer Kautz and Farina. At half distance the cars went in for their scheduled pit stops. Fagioli was now in a bad shape with a hip problem and as he pitted on lap 22 for fuel, Nuvolari took over. The Mercedes team did a great job again, their pit stops lasting 35 seconds for Lang and von Brauchitsch and only 30 seconds for Caracciola, who decided to continue on the old tyres. Auto Union pitwork was not bad either. Stuck, using the same tactics as Caracciola, was back at third place after the stops. Stuck and von Brauchitsch continued their duel closing up on Lang who got a signal to run faster. Lang responded and closed up to within 19 seconds of Caracciola but followed team orders and eased off letting Caracciola take the victory. Eight laps from the finish von Brauchitsch succeeded in re-passing Stuck to take third place. Rosemeyer had done a great race as usual and recorded the fastest lap on his chase after the leaders, but he had been too far behind to be able to do anything, finishing fifth.
IV GRAND PRIX DE BERNE BREMGARTEN (CH), 22 AUGUST 1937 VOITURETTE 1500cc 2 Heats of 14 laps x 7.280 km = 101.92 km. Final: 21 laps x 7.280 km = 152.88 km. Weather: dry during heats, heavy rain in the final. From 34 entries only 25 made the start. The Maserati works team refrained from challenging the ERA works team at Berne but there were 12 private Maserati entries, ERA entering cars for Mays and Dobson. Emilio Villoresi (Maserati 6CM) (Note 1) led heat 1 from start to finish from Mays and Martin (ERA-B). Dobson repeated Villoresi's performance in heat 2, winning from Cortese (Maserati 6CM ) and Bira. Just as the final started for the thirteen cars it began to rain. Cortese took the lead from Villoresi and Bira. But the handling of the Maseratis was awful in the wet and the Siamese, showing his abilities as a rain driver, took the lead on lap four. On lap seven Villoresi spun and Dobson caught Bira and passed him as the rain was easing off. Bira was able to take the lead once more as Dobson had to avoid a burning car, but at the end Bira had no real chance against the works ERA drivers. DNA: 8 Kessler (Maserati *) 12 Chambard (Bugatti), 14 Giraud-Cabantous (Caban) 20 Cholmondley-Tapper (Maserati), 26 Tongue (ERA), 40 Carnevalli (MB *5), 46 L Villoresi (maserati *6), 50 Teagno (mMserati), 52 Herkuleyns (MG), 58 Wüstrow (Bugatti), 60 Leuzinger (Maserati), 72 Trossi (ERA *3) Heat 1:Grid:
Results: 1 E Villoresi (Maserati 6CM) 42:55.0 2 Mays (ERA B *3) + 1.4 3 Martin (ERA A) + 28.0 4 L Hartmann (Maserati 4CM) + 3:15.4 5 Hanson (Bugatti T37A *2) - 1 lap 6 Gollin (Maserati 6CM *) - 1 lap 7 Hertzberger (MG K3 Magnette 1.1L) - 1 lap 8 Troeltsch (Bugatti T51A *) - 2 laps 9 Mme. Rose-Itier (Bugatti T51A) - 2 laps 10 Castelbarco (Maserati 4CM *4) DNF Wakefield (Maserati 6CM) 11 laps fuel leak DNF Walter Bäumer (Austin 7 0.7L) 6 laps big end DNF de Graffenried (Maserati 4CM *7) 45 laps engine Fastest lap: E Villoresi (Maserati) 2:58.9 Heat 2:Grid:
Results: 1 Dobson (ERA C *3) 43:03.4 2 Cortese (Maserati 6CM *6) + 16.1 3 "B Bira" (ERA B) + 18.7 4 H Berg (Maserati 6CM *) + 2:00.7 5 Marazza (Maserati 4CS) + 2:10.5 6 Minetti (Maserati 4CM) + 2:21.4 7 Uboldi (Maserati 4CM *5) - 1 lap 8 L Platé (Talbot *4) - 2 laps 9 du Puy (Maserati 6CM *7) - 3 laps 10 H Fleischanderl (Amilcar 1.1L) - 3 laps DNF Villeneuve (Bugatti T51A) Fastest lap: Dobson (ERA) 2:58.3 Final:Grid:
Results: 1 Dobson (ERA C *3) 1:09:05.6 2 Mays (ERA B *3) + 0.2 3 "B Bira" (ERA B) + 46.9 4 Cortese (Maserati 6CM *6) + 1:16.7 5 Martin (ERA A) + 1:17.8 6 Marazza (Maserati 4CS) + 2:09.2 7 L Hartmann (Maserati 4CM) + 2:19.6 8 Minetti (Maserati 4CM) - 1 lap 9 E Villoresi (Maserati 6CM) - 1 lap 10 Hanson (Bugatti T37A *2) - 1 lap 11 Hertzberger (MG K3 Magnette 1.1L) - 2 laps 12 Gollin (Maserati 6CM *) - 2 laps DNF Berg (Maserati 6CM *) 11 laps crash * Entered by Süddeutsche Renngemainschaft *2 Entered by Mrs M E Hall-Smith *3 Entered by ERA Ltd *4 Entered by L Castelbarco *5 Entered by Gruppo Volta *6 Entered by Scuderia Ambrosiana *7 Entered by J de Puy Fastest lap: Dobson (ERA) 3:01 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
X JUNIOR CAR CLUB 200 MILE RACE DONINGTON PARK (GB), 28 AUGUST 1937 (Saturday) 77 laps x 4.130 km = 318 km, 23 starters The GP race run at the same time as the Voiturette race. DNA: 1 Rüesch (Alfa Romeo), 5 Chiappini (Maserati), 17 Aitken (Maserati), 22 Brooke (Brooke-Riley)Grid:
Results: 1 Arthur Dobson (ERA-C *) 2:49:12.4 2 "B Bira" (Maserati 8CM 3.0L) + 0:40 3 Whitehead (ERA-B) + 5:33 4 Wakefield (Maserati 6CM) + 6:24 5 Powys-Lybbe (Alfa Monza 2.3L *4)+ 8:44 6 Maclure (Riley 2000/6) + 9:22 7 Brackenbury / Pintacuda (ERA-B *3) + 12:04 8 Parnell (MG K3 Magnette) - 4 laps 9 Rolt (Triumph Dolomite) - 5 laps DNF Mays (ERA-B *) 64 laps rear axle DNF Howe (ERA-B *) 51 laps crash DNF Hanson (Maserati *5) 49 laps engine DNF Austin Dobson (Maserati) 39 laps water pipe DNF Tongue (ERA-B) 12 laps engine DNF Evans (Alfa Romeo) 12 laps gearbox DNF Connell (ERA-B) 3 laps oil leak DNF Martin (ERA-A) 0 laps gearbox * Entered by ERA Ltd *2 Entered by Prince Chula of Siam *3 Entered by A C Dobson *4 Entered by A F Ashby *5 Entered by Mrs E Hall-Smith Fastest lap: Mays (ERA) 2:08.2 X JUNIOR CAR CLUB 200 MILE RACE DONINGTON PARK (GB), 28 AUGUST 1937 (Saturday) VOITURETTE 1500cc (+ > 1500cc) 77 laps x 4.107 km (2.552 mi) = 316.2 km (196.5 mi) , 11 starters The race was held in separate classes for the 1500 cc and the larger cars. In the Voiturette class 7 ERA's raced against Parnell's MG and a few Maseratis. Mays took the lead from Dobson and Whitehead. Earl Howe, who was back after his Brooklands crash, passed Whitehead for third place only to be re-passed. Then Howe almost had a new accident as his brakes failed. Mays, on his way to a clear victory, suddenly had to stop with a broken rear axle with only 1/5 of the race remaining. That left his teammate Dobson in a clear lead and he took his second victory in a week for the works ERA team. 1 Dobson (ERA C) 2:49:12.4 (112.1 km/h / 69.7 mph) 2 Whitehead (ERA B) + 5:33 3 Wakefield (Maserati 6CM) + 6:24 4 Brackenbury (ERA) + 12:04 5 Parnell (MG K3 Magnette) - 4 laps DNF Mays (ERA-B *) 64 laps rear axle DNF Howe (ERA-B *) 51 laps crash DNF Hanson (Maserati *5) 49 laps engine DNF Austin Dobson (Maserati) 39 laps water pipe DNF Tongue (ERA-B) 12 laps engine DNF Connell (ERA-B) 3 laps oil leak DNF Martin (ERA-A) 0 laps gearbox Fastest lap: Mays (ERA) 2:08.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | 4 SEPTEMBER 1937: Comotti (Talbot-Darracq) wins the RAC TOURIST TROPHY sports car handicap race at Donington Park, England. (Results) |
PHOENIX PARK PHOENIX PARK - Dublin, 11 SEPTEMBER 1937 (Saturday) VOITURETTE 1500cc 24 laps, 10 starters Bira's ERA cars had mechanical problems so once again the Siamese had to start with the Delage. At the fast track at Dublin Mays' works ERA worked without problems and he won the race as he wanted with the rest of the field over 2 minutes back. There was a tremendous race for second place between Wakefield and Bira before the Siamese had to retire with broken rear suspension. DNA/DNS: 7 Arthur Dobson (ERA)Grid:
Results: 1 Mays (ERA B *) 59:38.2 2 Wakefield (Maserati 6CM) + 2:11.8 3 Cotton (ERA B) + 2:56.2 4 Hanson (Maserati 6CM *3) - 1 lap DNF "B Bira" (Delage 15S8) 19 laps spring DNF O'Boyle (Alta) 19 laps valves DNF Aitken (Maserati 6CM *2) 12 laps fuel tank DNF Austin Dobson (Maserati 6CM *2) 12 laps engine DNF Tongue (ERA B) 2 laps piston DNF Whitehead (ERA B) 0 laps piston * Entered by H W Cook *2 Entered by Ecurie Aitken *3 Entered by Mrs M E Hall-Smith Fastest lap: Mays (ERA) 2:27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
XV° GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA LIVORNO, 12 SEPTEMBER 1937 50 laps x 7.218 km = 360.90 km
After having been run at Monza for 13 years the Italian Grand Prix was moved to Livorno in 1937. The reason for this was probably to give Nuvolari a better chance against the Germans, as he had beaten the Auto Unions there in the Coppa Ciano 1936. A surprise visitor was Varzi, who told Auto Union's team manager Dr. Feuereissen that he had given up both Ilse and drugs and asked for a drive. Dr. Feuereissen was hesitant but finally, with some persuasion from Rosemeyer, Varzi was signed on for the three last races of the season. Ferrari turned up with Nuvolari, Farina and Trossi, the sole Alfa Corse was raced by Guidotti. Nuvolari was fastest during the Friday practice in rain, but on the Saturday practice it was Caracciola who took the pole. Varzi was, however, in fine form and beat Rosemeyer for the second place. Grid:
Race: The start was delayed twice, first because of an invasion of spectators on the track and then when the ambulance had to pick up a spectator, who had fallen down from a tree. When the flag finally was dropped Caracciola took the lead followed by Lang, Rosemeyer, von Brauchitsch and Varzi. Nuvolari passed Varzi for fifth place to the joy of the spectators and on lap four Lang attacked and passed Caracciola to take the lead. In their internal fight the Mercedes duo started to pull away from the rest of the field. After his initial good start Nuvolari was falling back having to let Varzi by. Then a fierce fight for the sixth place developed between Müller, Seaman and Nuvolari with the cars swapping places until Nuvolari gave up and handled his Alfa over to Farina who had retired his own car. The fight for the lead went on with both Mercedes drivers braking the lap record until Lang had to make a pitstop when a wheel lost its tread. Team manager Neubauer was hardly impressed by the internal fight and let his feeling be known during the pitstops. Seaman lost some time during his pitstop as his car refused to restart but when he finally returned he did a inspiring race, passing Varzi and Müller for fourth place. Von Brauchitsch, who had been fourth during the early part of the race, had retired. At the top Caracciola, who was now leading, and Lang continued their fight. Lang was faster but on the narrow track it was impossible for him to pass as Caracciola firmly blocked any attempts. At the end the two Mercedes cars took the flag almost side by side with Caracciola as the winner. Lang was second and Rosemeyer third after having been unable to follow the pace of the Mercedes cars. Varzi finished sixth in a state of collapse and had to be helped out of his Auto Union. Hasse, who had taken over Stuck's car after the latter had given up the race, finished 9th. After the race Stuck was sacked from Auto Union.(Note 2)
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| 18 SEPTEMBER 1937: Cobb / Bertram (Napier Railton) wins the BRDC 500 km handicap race at Brooklands, England |
III° COPPA EDDA CIANO LUCCA (I), 19 SEPTEMBER 1937 VOITURETTE 1500cc 60 laps, 13 starters Varzi was back again driving for the Maserati works team together with Trossi and Rocco. It was however Cortese who took the start from Varzi and Luigi Villoresi but on lap 2 Varzi passed Cortese to take the lead. Trossi started to advance passing Villoresi and Cortese and after 7 laps he had passed Varzi for the lead. Varzi got engine problems and fell back leaving Villoresi, Cortese and Bianco to fight for second place. The fight ended with Bianco retiring and Cortese crashing, ending up in hospital, leaving Villoresi and Rocco to finish on the podium. Grid:
DNA/DNS: 2 Uboldi (Maserati *2), 12 F Barbieri (Maserati), Results: 1 Trossi (Maserati 4CM *) 1:30:40 2 L Villoresi (Maserati 6CM *3) - 1 lap 3 Rocco (Maserati 6CM) - 1 lap 4 Righetti (Maserati 6CM *3) - 3 laps 5 Teagno (Maserati 4CM) - 3 laps 6 Severi (Maserati 6CM) - 6 laps 7 Bertani (Maserati 4CM) - 9 laps DNF Cortese (Maserati 6CM) 46 laps crash DNF Bianco (Maserati 6CM *) 35 laps crash DNF Varzi (Maserati 4CM *) 24 laps engine DNF Dusio (Maserati 6CM *4) 17 laps valves DNF E Villoresi (Maserati 6CM *3) 9 laps carburation DNF Marazza (Maserati 4CS) 1 lap * Entered by oficine A Maserati *2 Entered by Gruppo Volta *3 Entered by Scuderia Ambrosiansa *4 Entered by Scuderi Torino Fastest lap: Cortese (Maserati) 1:26.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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