A FRAZER NASH VICTORY AT BRAY

A FRAZER NASH VICTORY AT BRAY D. M. McCRACKEN WINS IN HIS FIRST RACE AT 51.24 M.P.H. LEA FRANCIS SECOND & ADLER THIRD

I T says much for the enthusiasm of the Irish motor-racing fraternity that they can hold a highly successful motor-race without a single entry from a British manufacturer. The Bray race last month, for example, was supported entirely by private owners-with the exception of some German Adlers handled by Irish drivers.

The Bray circuit is of the round-thehouses variety, 34 miles in length, and consisting of innumerable corners. Thousands of spectators lined the course, and the organising body, the Irish Motor Racing Club, have every reason to be proud of a well-run affair. With 21 cars on the starting line, some of whom received to laps start, the race was not too easy to follow, but some desperate duels between various cars provided all the excitement that spectators could desire. After 15 laps of the total of 40, a fair idea of the positions could be obtained, and it was seen that F. Pearson (Lea-Francis) was leading from D. Yule (Austin), ” D. Squires” (M.G.), G. E. White (M.G.), F. A. Gannon (LeaFrancis) and E. M. Mitchell, on an attractive little 1-litre sports Adler. The back markers were making good progress, R. B. S. Le Fanu (2-litre Adler) being very fast on all corners, and delighting the crowd with his daring driving. Farther back still, a keen battle for the lap record was being waged between G. F. A. ManbyColegrave (M.G. Magnette) and W. T. McCalla (2-litre G.P. Sunbeam). First one and then the other would bring it

down by a second or two, until finally the fastest lap of the day was made by ManbyColegrave in 3m. 19secs., at a speed of 57.82 m.p.h. Then the Magnette began to falter, and after some frequent calls at his pit the driver called it a day.

At half-distance Gannon had taken the lead, followed by White, Mitchell, ” Squires ” and McCracken. The latter was driving a Frazer Nash entered by that fine sportsman Mr. A. H. Verschoyle, and for the first time he was appearing in the picture. Yule had dropped right back.

McCracken now moved up a couple of places, and soon the crowd were thrilled at the spectacle of a fine fight for first place between Gannon (Lea-Francis) and McCracken (Frazer Nash) which was to last till the end of the race. Some distance behind came Le Fanu (Adler), treated not too kindly by the handicap.

McCracken was still second on the 37th lap, but on the 38th he was within striking distance of the Lea-Francis. On the 39th he caught Gannon, and came home first by the narrow margin of eight seconds. A student of Trinity College, Dublin, McCracken was taking part in his first race, and he handled the Nash with the right mixture of dash and coolness. With the entrant, Mr. Verschoyle, he received universal congratulations on his victory.

There were no accidents, which was very creditable considering the bad weather conditions. After a fine start the rain came down heavily, accompanied by a severe squall.

RESULTS Handicap Time

1. D. M. McCracken (1,496 c.c. FrazerNash), 6 laps, 30s. start, 2h. 10m. 14s., 51.24 m.p.h.; 2. F. A. Gannon (1,497 c.c. Lea Francis), 8 laps lm., 2h. 10m. 22s., 47.98 m.p.h.; 3. It. B. S. Le Fanu (1990 c.c. Adler), 5 laps, 2h. 12m. 57s., 51.85 m.p.h.; 4. M. J. Hynes (3633 c.c. Statham-Ford SP1.). 4 laPs 2m.,2h. 15m. 24s.,51.54 m.p.h.; 5.”D. Squires” (1246 c.c. M.G. liagna), 8 laps 3m., 21.1. 15m. 35s., 45.42 m.p.h.•’ 6. W. T. McCalla, (1992 c.c. Sunbeam sic), 3 labs 2m. 30s., 2h. 16m. 80s., 52.36 m.p.h.; 7. Wm. R. Baird (1287 c.c. M.G. Magnette), 3 laps 3m., 2h. 16m. 38s., 52.11 m.p.h.; 8. ” L. Ripley’ (1287 c.c. M.G. Magnette), 7 laps urn., 211. 17m. 18s., 46.94 m.p.h.; D

9. P. wyer (3255 e.e. Bugatti) 4 laps 3m., 2h. 17m. 33s., 50.37 m.p.h.; 10. ‘W. J. Kavanagh (1287 c.c. M.G. Magnette), 6 laps lm., 2h. 17m. 47s. 48.19 m.p.h. •. 11. G. Bagratouni (1287 c.c. d.G. Magnette), 4 laps 2m., 2h. 19m. 5s., 50.17 m.p.h.; 12. T. O’Shaughnessy (1087 c.c. Riley), 7 laps mi., 2h. 20m. 15s., 45.93 m.p.h.; 13. E. M. Mitchell (995 c.c. Adler), 7 laps 3m. 30s., 2h. 22m. us., 44.50 m.p.h.; 14. C. G. Neill (1990 c.c. Bugatti), 4 laps, 2h, 25m. 27s., 48.63 m.p.h.

Fastest lap of the race-G. F. A. ManbyColograve, London, 1087 c.c. supercharged M.G. Magnette, 3mins. 19 secs., 57.82 m.p.h. Previous record-3 mins. 28 secs. by W. T. McCalla, supercharged Sunbeam. The Awards

Club Team Prize-Ulster Automobile Club (W. T. McCann., Sunbeam; C. G. Neill, Bugatti; ” D. Squires,” M.G. Magna).

No one make of team finshed three nominated oars.

The Earl of Meath’s Perpetual Trophy and 150-Winner of the race, 1). M. McCracken, Dublin, Fraser Nash.

The Walsh Cup and £30-F. A. Gannon, Meath, Lea Francis.

The O’Neill Cup and £30-R. B. S. Le Farm, Bray, Adler.

With the exception of the last finisher all of those who completed the course were awarded Club silver plaques.

The Awards