Grand Prix Rejects

We'll keep the same combination for the next GP. If it isn't broken, why fix it?

Alfa Romeo confirms its line-up too. If it will break down anyway, why fix it? (or something like that )

We'll continue with the chassis change mentioned earlier.

tommykl wrote:Also, I forgot to run the RNG for Cesare Perdisa.

Cesare "No, it doesn't mean loser" Perdisa
1-85: takes the full-time drive for the team he drove for in Singapore
86-100: continues being irrelevant
Result: 67
Perdisa will complete the season at Renzo.

What about Villoresi's?

Samster wrote:

tommykl wrote:Also, I forgot to run the RNG for Cesare Perdisa.

Cesare "No, it doesn't mean loser" Perdisa
1-85: takes the full-time drive for the team he drove for in Singapore
86-100: continues being irrelevant
Result: 67
Perdisa will complete the season at Renzo.

What about Villoresi's?

Like I said, Assasti Millanti have Villoresi for the year, you have to talk with andrew to get Villoresi.

Entry list has been closed, Ferrari and Albertini have been removed from the entry list. This leaves 54 drivers for 32 grid spots; there will be 22 drivers in prequalifying.

In the news

May 6th - Western European Union charter effective

May 7th - USSR signs peace treaty with France and the United Kingdom

May 9th - West Germany joins NATO

May 11th - Japanese ferry collision kills 168 off Takamatsu

May 14th - Warsaw Pact signed by USSR, East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechosloavkia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania

May 15th - Austrian State Treaty signed by Austria, France, UK, USA and USSR; Austria restored as a neutral sovereign state

May 15th - Work begins on space centre in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

May 17th - Vote on taxes causes crisis in Dutch government; Drees cabinet falls

May 20th - Argentine parliament recognises separation of Church and State

May 20th 1955, French Grand Prix prequalifying
Well, well, well, what a race we had in Monaco. A controversial fight for the lead early on, dramatic unreliability and general boneheadedness up and down the field, as well as the impressive sight of a car taking a plunge into the Harbour, luckily without injury for Paco Godia. Ultimately, Dries van der Lof took his third career win, putting himself and JAMR as prime candidates for another season at the very front. However, the Monaco Grand Prix has often proven to fail to represent the true champion. Only in 1950 did the winner in Monaco actually win the title, and never has the winner of the opening race ever won the championship. Will the Dutchman buck the trend this season?

The second round out of eleven is the French Grand Prix, held in Reims-Gueux once again. This time, a staggering 54 drivers have made the trip, breaking the record set at the same circuit last season (with 52 entrants).

1. Helmut Niedermayr (Trod van Hoff Racing) - Van Hoff TVHR100 chassis 1, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 8
2. Maria Teresa de Filippis (Maria Teresa de Filippis) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 2, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 2
3. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Bernie C. Ecclestone) - Mercedes WM-2 chassis 1, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 8
4. Bernie Ecclestone (Bernie C. Ecclestone) - Mercedes WM-2 chassis 2, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 7
5. David Hampshire (Hampshire Racing Alliance) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 8, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 10
6. Roy Salvadori (Hampshire Racing Alliance) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 5, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 10
7. Dorino Serafini (Officine Renzo) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 5, Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 3
8. Cesare Perdisa (Officine Renzo) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 4, Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 4
9. Toulo de Graffenried (Officine Renzo) - Ambrosiana A-002 chassis 2, Ferrari 555 engine 4
10. André Simon (Ecurie Voeckler) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 6, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 11
11. Louis Chiron (Ecurie Voeckler) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 3, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 6
12. Alfonso de Portago (Loyer Racing) - Loyer LR101 chassis 1, Porsche 755 engine 3
14. Roger Loyer (Loyer Racing) - Loyer LR101 chassis 2, Porsche 755 engine 4
15. Eugenio Castellotti (Porsche System Engineering) - Porsche 855 chassis 1, Porsche 755 engine 1
16. Jean Behra (Porsche System Engineering) - Porsche 855 chassis 2, Porsche 755 engine 2
17. Paco Godia (ART-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 8, Gordini ART-004 engine 3
18. Porfirio Rubirosa (ART-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 4, Gordini ART-004 engine 4
19. Consalvo Sanesi (ART-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 6, Gordini ART-004 engine 6
20. Robert Manzon (ART-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 7, Gordini ART-004 engine 7
21. Aldo Gordini (Anglo Racing Engineering) - Gordini G-953 chassis 5, Gordini ART-004 engine 5
22. Roberto Mieres (FRacing) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 1, FIAT 155 engine 1
23. Philippe Etancelin (Guidobaldi) - Guidobaldi FG01 chassis 1, Mercedes UM153 engine 14
24. José Froilan Gonzalez (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - O.S.C.A. 154 chassis 3, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 2
25. Jacques Swaters (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - O.S.C.A. 154 chassis 5, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 3
26. Peter Whitehead (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 7, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 7
27. Stirling Moss (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 9, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 9
28. Harry Schell (Geoff Richardson Racing) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 11, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 11
29. André Guelfi (Ecurie Maghreb) - Lancia D50 chassis 2, Lancia DS50 engine 2
30. Desmond Titterington (Irish Racing Association) - Lancia D50 chassis 1, Lancia DS50 engine 1
31. Lex Davison (Scuderia Australasia) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 6, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 5
32. Reg Armstrong (Irish Racing Association) - Lancia D50 chassis 5, Lancia DS50 engine 5
33. Peter Collins (British Commonwealth Motorsport Association) - B.C.M.A. C-01 chassis 1, B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin engine 3
34. Tony Brooks (British Commonwealth Motorsport Association) - B.C.M.A. C-01 chassis 2, B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin engine 1
35. Umberto Maglioli (British Commonwealth Motorsport Association) - B.C.M.A. C-01 chassis 3, B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin engine 2
36. Bib Stillwell (Tasman Racing Alliance) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 7, Vanwall 254 engine 3
37. Ron Flockhart (Officine Alfieri Maserati) - Cooper T41 chassis 2, Maserati 200F engine 1
38. Lance Macklin (Reatherson Racing Development) - Ferrari 555 chassis 4, Ferrari 555 engine 12
39. Ken Wharton (Reatherson Racing Development) - Ferrari 555 Chassis 7, Ferrari 555 engine 11
40. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 1, Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 1
41. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 2, Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 2
42. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR160 chassis 1, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 1
43. Mike Hawthorn (Vanwall) - Vanwall VW55 chassis 1, Vanwall 254 engine 1
44. Dennis Poore (Vanwall) - Vanwall VW55 chassis 2, Vanwall 254 engine 2
45. Giannino Marzotto (Maria Teresa de Filippis) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 8, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 4
46. Tony Bettenhausen (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 11, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 1
47. Dries van der Lof (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 3, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 3
48. B. Bira (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 2, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 2
49. Maurice Trintignant (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 12, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 16
50. Stan Jones (Balkan Leader) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 7, Balkan Lion F154 engine 3
51. Kenneth McAlpine (Owen Racing Organisation) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 4, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 9
52. Luigi Musso (Scuderia Ambrosiana) - Ambrosiana A-004 chassis 1, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 5
53. Alberto Uria (Scuderia Ambrosiana) - Ambrosiana A-004 chassis 2, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 6
54. Johnny Claes (Ecurie Nationale Belge) - Cooper T41 chassis 1, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 7
55. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix Racing Organisation) - Phoenix PRO-4 chassis 1, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 11

-Trod van Hoff Racing make their second appearance at a championship Grand Prix with Helmut Niedermayr behind the wheel. Can he prequalify?
-After a couple of years on the sidelines, Roy Salvadori returns to Formula One, driving a second Bentley for David Hampshire.
-Following Franco Rol's dismal performance in Monaco, his return to Formula One was aborted as Renzo promptly fired him in favour of the young hopeful Cesare Perdisa, who already drove for the team in Singapore.
-After five long years of waiting, Roger Loyer finally returns to the paddock for the coincidentally named Loyer Racing alongside Alfonso de Portago.
-Anglo Racing Engineering, after skipping Monaco, make the trip to Reims with their usual driver, Aldo Gordini.
-The rather experimental and much-awaited Guidobaldi makes its first appearance at Reims in the hands of the extremely experienced Frenchman Philippe Etancelin. Eyes are peeled, but if non-championship performance is anything to go by, this will not be an easy season.
-This time, Irish Racing Association field their second Lancia for motorcycle ace Reg Armstrong alongside Monaco hero Desmond Titterington. How will he compare?
-After an embarrassing and much-reported logistics mistake saw their lorries blocked in Northern France by a strike, B.C.M.A. ended up closer to Reims than they would have been, partially making up for the precious track time that was lost. This time, the youngest team in Formula One (Maglioli is 26, Collins and Brooks 23) is here and ready to participate.
-Despite a good performance in Monaco to make the grid, Reatherson walked away bitterly disappointed as Macklin wrecked the Bentley early on. The team still soldier on to Reims, bringing along their two spare Ferraris for Macklin and Ken Wharton to drive.
-Following a double-DNPQ in Monaco, BRUNEL rightly decided to fast-forward all the way to Silverstone.
-The Monaco weekend was entertaining for ENB, to say the least. Arthur Legat, temporary team boss, stepped down in favour of a Swaters-Claes tandem, with the latter giving a rather brilliant jazz performance at the Monaco Casino in a desperate bid to get some funding for the team, which is almost bankrupt.
-Ambrosiana have dropped the third car for Reims, entering only Musso and Uria.

Of course, with only 32 grid spots available, 22 drivers will have to compete for eight available spots in main qualifying. Here they are.

Helmut Niedermayr
Roy Salvadori
Cesare Perdisa
Alfonso de Portago
Roger Loyer
Eugenio Castellotti
Paco Godia
Aldo Gordini
Philippe Etancelin
André Guelfi
Desmond Titterington
Lex Davison
Reg Armstrong
Tony Brooks
Bib Stillwell
Ron Flockhart
Lance Macklin
Ken Wharton
Dennis Poore
Kenneth McAlpine
Luigi Musso
Alberto Uria

We will enter the next race early so I don't forget. Milhoux will drive the Ferrari 555. Samster can use villoresi in the next race if he likes.

Here's prequalifying performance.

Armstrong - 121
Guelfi - 113
Gordini - 110
McAlpine - 110
Titterington - 108
Musso - 108
Uria - 108
Etancelin - 107
Brooks - 101
Davison - 100
Godia - 99
Flockhart - 99
Stillwell - 98
Wharton - 97
Macklin - 96
Castellotti - 95
Salvadori - 94
Poore - 94
de Portago - 91
Loyer - 89
Perdisa - 87
Niedermayr - 85

Prequalifying standings
1. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) - 2:26.11
2. Paco Godia (Gordini) - 2:28.54
3. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) - 2:29.69
4. Reg Armstrong (Lancia) - 2:29.98
5. Bib Stillwell (O.S.C.A.-Vanwall) - 2:31.37
6. André Guelfi (Lancia) - 2:32.79
7. Luigi Musso (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:32.85
8. Lance Macklin (Ferrari) - 2:32.96
9. Dennis Poore (Vanwall) - 2:33.18
10. Alberto Uria (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:33.72
11. Ken Wharton (Ferrari) - 2:33.90
12. Cesare Perdisa (Alfa Romeo) - 2:34.47
13. Roger Loyer (Loyer-Porsche) - 2:34.63
14. Eugenio Castellotti (Porsche) - 2:34.80
15. Alfonso de Portago (Loyer-Porsche) - 2:35.27
16. Aldo Gordini (Gordini) - 2:35.29
17. Kenneth McAlpine (Bentley) - 2:36.67
18. Roy Salvadori (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) - 2:36.92
19. Ron Flockhart (Cooper-Maserati) - 2:37.39
20. Lex Davison (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:38.69
21. Philippe Etancelin (Guidobaldi-Mercedes) - 2:40.57
22. Helmut Niedermayr (Van Hoff-O.S.C.A.) - 2:41.74

This time, the Lancia teams showed just how good the car could be, all three of them reaching the top six, with Titterington topping the time sheets with a stunning lap, almost two and a half seconds faster than Godia! Brooks and Armstrong also make the cut on début, Musso takes Ambrosiana into main qualifying, Poore barely misses his chance to repeat his Monaco performance, while the Loyers and Porsche again fail to make it through.

And here's qualifying performance.

Musso - 112
Bira - 110
Schell - 109
Titterington - 108
Hampshire - 107
Godia - 107
Whitehead - 105
Behra - 104
Collins - 103
Brooks - 103
Stillwell - 103
Macklin - 103
Gaze - 103
Bettenhausen - 103
Jones - 103
de Graffenried - 101
Hawthorn - 101
Claes - 101
Marzotto - 99
Mieres - 98
Moss - 98
Ecclestone - 97
Sanesi - 97
Gonzalez - 97
Maglioli - 97
van der Lof - 96
Trintignant - 96
Ascari - 96
Ramos - 95
Armstrong - 95
de Filippis - 94
Swaters - 94
Simon - 93
Manzon - 92
Farina - 92
Rubirosa - 91
Serafini - 90
Guelfi - 88
Brabham - 88
Chiron - 84

Jacques Swaters will run Bentley 16VL-1 engine 5 instead of his current one from now on, his old one will be kept as a spare.

Just to confirm what I posted on the backup forum, Ottorino Volonterio will replace the injured Maria Teresa de Filippis at Spa-Francorchamps.

It's about time I uploaded the pure and absolute kekfest that was the French Grand Prix.

Qualifying standings
1. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) - 2:26.11
2. B. Bira (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:26.80
3. Paco Godia (Gordini) - 2:27.37
4. Peter Collins (B.C.M.A.) - 2:27.99
5. Tony Bettenhausen (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:28.14
6. Dries van der Lof (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:28.42
7. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo) - 2:28.87
8. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) - 2:28.94
9. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) - 2:29.00
10. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) - 2:29.40
11. Peter Whitehead (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) - 2:29.46
12. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) - 2:29.94
13. Stirling Moss (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) - 2:30.08
14. Maurice Trintignant (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:30.32
15. Bib Stillwell (O.S.C.A.-Vanwall) - 2:30.64
16. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Mercedes-Bentley) - 2:30.70
17. José Froilan Gonzalez (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) - 2:31.03
18. Robert Manzon (Gordini) - 2:31.08
19. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-O.S.C.A.) - 2:31.12
20. Porfirio Rubirosa (Gordini) - 2:31.31
21. Harry Schell (Bentley) - 2:31.52
22. Stan Jones (Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion) - 2:31.63
23. Lance Macklin (Ferrari) - 2:31.94
24. Luigi Musso (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:32.26
25. Jacques Swaters (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) - 2:32.66
26. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) - 2:32.67
27. Dorino Serafini (Alfa Romeo) - 2:32.80
28. Toulo de Graffenried (Ambrosiana-Ferrari) - 2:32.95
29. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.) - 2:33.04
30. David Hampshire (Bentley) - 2:33.05
31. Umberto Maglioli (B.C.M.A.) - 2:33.20
32. Mike Hawthorn (Vanwall) - 2:33.24
33. Johnny Claes (Cooper-Jaguar) - 2:33.72
34. Reg Armstrong (Lancia) - 2:33.78
35. Bernie Ecclestone (Mercedes-Bentley) - 2:34.06
36. André Simon (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) - 2:34.19
37. Jean Behra (Porsche) - 2:34.45
38. Roberto Mieres (Bentley-FIAT) - 2:36.24
39. André Guelfi (Lancia) - 2:36.38
40. Louis Chiron (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) - 2:37.36

Race performance
Maglioli 47
Farina 38
Marzotto 28
Sanesi 25
Manzon 25
Hampshire 24
Whitehead 19
van der Lof 17
Titterington 11
Swaters 8
Ascari 5
Schell 5
Musso 5
Brabham 4
Jones 3
Macklin 1
Gaze -1
Stillwell -1
de Graffenried -1
Hawthorn -2
Collins -7
de Filippis -7
Godia -9
Moss -11
Trintignant -19
Gonzalez -21
Ramos -23
Brooks -28
Serafini -38
Bira -39
Rubirosa -50
Bettenhausen -62

Spontaneously, the race organisers extended the race distance to 73 laps, making the race over 600 kilometres long. As a consequence, there will be only six finishers, with seven engine failures, five Cat. 1 crashes, 2 Cat. 2 crashes, 1 Cat. 3 crash and 2 Cat. 5 crashes.

Of course, to compensate, the prize money pot will be larger than usual.

May 22nd 1955, French Grand Prix
Before the start of the race, the main talking point was the race organisers' decision to lengthen it to over 600 kilometres, which was a worry for both teams and drivers. The cars weren't designed to last that long, making reliability an issue, and they had become notoriously hard to handle, causing multiple accidents in Monaco, luckily without consequence. Despite these concerns, the race would go ahead for the full distance.

Titterington got the best start of the race leaders and led the first lap from Godia and Bira. Moss and Manzon got the best getaways, though, gaining three spots each. Desmond promptly fell behind Godia, Bira and Collins, the Spaniard taking the lead for the first time in his career. Bira then fell behind Collins and Titterington. On lap 5, towards the back, Mike Hawthorn attempted to pass Maria Teresa de Filippis into Calvaire. They misread each other's lines and their wheels locked. De Filippis was sent into the earth bank by the side of the track and flew up and over it. De Filippis promtply exited her car, and while she was conscious, she was in visible pain.

On lap 6, Dries van der Lof pulled into the pits with an oil leak. The resulting slick at Thillois caught out Luigi Musso, who span out of his maiden Grand Prix start. By this point, Consalvo Sanesi had risen from eighth place to second behind teammate Godia. On lap 8, Sanesi tried a move for the lead on the start-finish straight, but Godia blindly cut him off, sending him into the pit wall! This move, following his dive into the Monaco harbour, caused Amédée Gordini to lose his temper. At this point, he was only angrily listening to Sanesi's explanation. Meanwhile, Titterington and Bira, rigt behind Godia, were rightfully hesitant to make a move on the Spaniard. They tripped over themselves, allowing Moss through into second place while having started thirteenth!

On lap 10, the race took another turn, as the circuit announcers noticed that Philippe Etancelin had taken to the track in the Guidobaldi, despite having failed to prequalify for the race! Later on, the Frenchman admitted that he simply wanted his final race to actually be a race. In the meantime, he was running around in last place. On lap 12, Hampshire attempted to pass Ramos, but the Brazilian closed the door lazily and knocked himself out of the race. A few laps later, Jack Brabham crashed out at Calvaire, having just set the fastest lap of the race. That same lap, Lance Macklin wrecked yet another car for Reatherson, taking himself out in a big way using Umberto Maglioli to steer him into a ditch. The team boss would not be happy to see Lance walk back to the pits...

On lap 17, Swaters' gearbox failed from 20th position, one of the only mechanical failures so far this season. Indeed, driver incompetence hasn't left enough time for the cars to fail! Then, on lap 20, after such brilliant practice laps, Desmond Titterington span out at Muizon, ending his race. He was in second place. That same lap, Bib Stillwell's Vanwall engine expired on his (and his engine's) first start. At this point, Godia's lead was substantial over the battle for second between Bira, Moss and Collins for B.C.M.A. Bettenhausen then proceeded to blow a tyre on random debris and crash out when he lost control, reducing the field to 21 drivers, then 20 when Giannino Marzotto's engine failed. Then 19 when Harry Schell span out on the resulting oil. 25 laps had been run at this point.

On lap 27, Tony Brooks lost control of his car at Calvaire, collided and flew over the earth bank, much like de Filippis did. Miraculously, Brooks also walked away from the wreckage and, like the gentlemanly medecine student he is, offered to check de Filippis' injury after her accident. Meanwhile, the paddock was completely dumbfounded by Philippe Etancelin actually beating a few drivers at times in the Guidobaldi who had only shown really bad performance until then. Apart from the occasional overtake, nothing really happened until lap 34, when Stirling Moss retired from fourth place with a transmission failure, joining Titterington, who had stayed by the side of the track to enjoy the rest of the race.

On lap 35, Bira had an oil leak and retired from the race, leaving 16 drivers still running. Then, on the next lap, Giuseppe Farina had one of the scariest moments of the race when his brakes completely failed at Muizon. He bailed from the car as it clipped the stopped Lancia of Titterington and barrell-rolled into the wheat fields of Gueux. Farina promptly got up, brushed some dust off his shoulder and calmly walked to the incredulous Titterington and Moss, who had just witnessed the accident. All these scenes contributed to making this race one of the best-remebered of all time. On top of this, Peter Collins' B.C.M.A. engine expired out of a brilliant second place, causing Peter Whitehead (running third) to spin out on the oil. After 40 laps, Godia led from Tony Gaze, Robert Manzon, Maurice Trintignant, Alberto Ascari, David Hampshire, Stan Jones, Umberto Maglioli, José Froilan Gonzalez, Porfirio Rubirosa, Dorino Serafini, Philippe Etancelin and Mike Hawthorn.

On lap 43, Umberto Maglioli's suspension failed from ninth place, ending a promising race for B.C.M.A. and leaving twelve drivers in the race. On lap 47, it was Stan Jones' engine that failed out of seventh place. Maurice Trintignant passed Manzon and Gaze to take second place, with the Australian driver suffering from a gearbox failure on lap 54, leaving only ten drivers. Then, there were nine when Trintignant's clutch failed on the very next lap. On lap 58, Amédée Gordini had made his decision about Paco Godia and decided to fire the Spaniard who was dominating the race. Not wanting to wait for the end of the race, he sent the message to him via pitboard. Godia's reaction was to pull over into the pits on the next lap, pull his helmet off, put it down and walk away from the shouting Amédée towards the Phoenix garage, where he could speak Spanish. That same lap, Gonzalez, who would have taken third place, span off at Thillois, leaving just seven drivers. Robert Manzon now led from Ascari, David Hampshire in third, Serafini, Rubirosa, Mike Hawthorn in the Vanwall and Philippe Etancelin, still running in the Guidobaldi!

It wasn't to be, however. Once he'd started to fall behind, the Reims-Gueux track marshalls finally made the decision to show him the black flag, disqualifying him. Knowing that this would happen, he stopped in the pits, crossed the circuit to climb on the straw bales in front of the grandstands and take a bow for the roaring crowd, taking a well-deserved retirement from racing at the age of 58. And with 6 laps remaining, Robert Manzon's engine failed out of the race lead, leaving only five cars! Alberto Ascari now led from Hampshire, Serafini, Hawthorn and Rubirosa, while Manzon would still be classified and in the points by default. And in the end, it was an emotional end to a crazy, crazy race, as Alberto Ascari raised both arms in the air to finally win his first championship Grand Prix after over five years of trying. In similar fashion, David Hampshire finished the race in second, ahead of Dorino Serafini, Mike Hawthorn and Porfirio Rubirosa.

1. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-O.S.C.A.) 3:06:33.09
2. David Hampshire (Bentley) +1 lap
3. Dorino Serafini (Alfa Romeo) +3 laps
4. Mike Hawthorn (Vanwall) +4 laps
5. Porfirio Rubirosa (Gordini) +4 laps
6. Robert Manzon (Gordini) +6 laps/Engine
Ret. Paco Godia (Gordini) +15 laps/Sacked via pitboard
Ret. José Froilan Gonzalez (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) +19 laps/Spin
Ret. Maurice Trintignant (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +21 laps/Clutch
Ret. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo) +22 laps/Gearbox
Ret. Stan Jones (Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion) +30 laps/Engine
Ret. Umberto Maglioli (B.C.M.A.) +34 laps/Suspension
Ret. Peter Collins (B.C.M.A.) +36 laps/Engine
Ret. Peter Whitehead (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) +36 laps/Accident
Ret. Stirling Moss (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) +40 laps/Transmission
Ret. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) +40 laps/Accident
Ret. B. Bira (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +40 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) +48 laps/Accident
Ret. Harry Schell (Bentley) +50 laps/Spin
Ret. Tony Bettenhausen (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +52 laps/Accident
Ret. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) +52 laps/Engine
Ret. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) +54 laps/Spin
Ret. Bib Stillwell (O.S.C.A.-Vanwall) +54 laps/Engine
Ret. Jacques Swaters (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) +57 laps/Gearbox
Ret. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) +58 laps/Accident
Ret. Lance Macklin (Ferrari) +58 laps/Collision
Ret. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Merecedes-Bentley) +62 laps/Collision
Ret. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) +66 laps/Collision
Ret. Toulo de Graffenried (Ambrosiana-Ferrari) +66 laps/Spin
Ret. Dries van der Lof (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +68 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Luigi Musso (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) +68 laps/Spin
Ret. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.) +69 laps/Collision
DSQ. Philippe Etancelin (Guidobaldi-Mercedes) +15 laps/Illegal race start

Fastest lap: Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) - 2:28.25

Championship standings
Drivers
1. Alberto Ascari - 13
2. Dries van der Lof - 9
3. Consalvo Sanesi - 6 (1 2nd, 1 Ret)
4. David Hampshire - 6 (1 2nd, 1 DNQ)
5. Dorino Serafini - 4 (1 3rd)
6. Porfirio Rubirosa - 4 (2 5ths)
7. Maria Teresa de Filippis - 3 (1 4th, 1 Ret)
8. Mike Hawthorn - 3 (1 4th, 1 DNPQ)
9. Maurice Trintignant - 1 (1 6th, 1 Ret)
=. Robert Manzon - 1 (1 6th, 1 Ret)

Constructors
1. Phoenix-O.S.C.A. - 13
2. Aston Martin-Jaguar - 9
3. Gordini - 8
4. Bentley - 6
5. Alfa Romeo - 4
6. O.S.C.A. - 3 (1 4th, multiple Rets)
7. Vanwall - 3 (1 4th, 1 DNQ)

Entrants
1. Phoenix Racing Organisation - 13
2. Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing - 9
3. Alexander Racing Team-Gordini - 8
4. Hampshire Racing Alliance - 6
5. Officine Renzo - 4
6. Maria Teresa de Filippis - 3 (1 4th, 1 Ret)
7. Vanwall - 3 (1 4th, 1 DNQ)

Right, to confirm the deal: Mr. Ramos will drive for Renzo for the rest of the season. His place will be taken by Stuart Lewis-Evans and any Stuart Lewis-Evans drives in the second car will be undertaken by Bernie Ecclestone

With Paco Godia being sacked Gordini will revert to running 3 cars for the foreseeable future, meanwhile Rubirosa will switch to the chassis and engine combination used by Godia in the French GP

With the arrival of Ramos at Renzo, there will be a complete reshuffle of drivers and equipment at both Voeckler and Renzo.

Renzo
H Ramos - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 5 & Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 3
D Serafini - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 4 & Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 4
C Perdisa (P/T schedule) - Ambrosiana A-002 chassis 2 & Ferrari 555 engine 4

Voeckler
T de Graffenried (F/T schedule) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 6 & Jaguar JFE-2 engine 11
A Simon (P/T schedule) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 3 & Jaguar JFE-2 engine 6

Louis Chiron is available for hire, should anyone request his services.

If we do have any funds, would like to take the car for further upgrading

FantometteBR wrote:If we do have any funds, would like to take the car for further upgrading

No, no you don't have the funds

Post-race report
Injury report
-Maria Teresa de Filippis sustained a broken nose and a fractured wrist in her accident. She is out of action for 14 days, and will miss the Belgian Grand Prix.

Damage costs
-Manzon's engine (ART-004 engine 7) - £2 664
-Gonzalez's chassis (F154 chassis 3) - £6 132
-Jones' engine (F154 engine 3) - £13 805
-Collins' engine (A/AS Griffin engine 3) - £19 100
-Whitehead's chassis (Speed 4 chassis 7) - £10 563
-Farina's chassis (AR161 chassis 2) - £26 057
-Brooks' chassis (C-01 chassis 2) - £23 740
-Schell's chassis (Speed 4 chassis 11) - £5 407
-Marzotto's engine (156s engine 4) - £8 851
-Bettenhausen's chassis (AM-04 chassis 11) - £13 342
-Titterington's chassis (D50 chassis 1) - £658
-Stillwell's engine (254 engine 3) - £184
-Brabham's chassis (AR161 chassis 1) - £5 179
-Macklin's chassis (555 chassis 4) - £15 389
-Ramos' chassis (WM-2 chassis 1) - £6 198
-Sanesi's chassis (G-953 chassis 6) - £12 168
-De Graffenried's chassis (A-002 chassis 2) - £4 640
-Musso's chassis (A-004 chassis 1) - £1 046
-de Filippis' chassis (F154 chassis 2) - £21 439

Prize money (distance)
Alberto Ascari - £2 000
David Hampshire - £1 986
Dorino Serafini - £1 959
Mike Hawthorn - £1 945
Porfirio Rubirosa - £1 945
Robert Manzon - £1 918
Paco Godia - £1 795
José Froilan Gonzalez - £1 740
Maurice Trintignant - £1 712
Tony Gaze - £1 699
Stan Jones - £1 589
Umberto Maglioli - £1 534
Peter Collins - £1 507
Peter Whitehead - £1 507
Stirling Moss - £1 452
Giuseppe Farina - £1 452
B. Bira - £1 452
Tony Brooks - £1 342
Harry Schell - £1 315
Tony Bettenhausen - £1 288
Giannino Marzotto - £1 288
Desmond Titterington - £1 260
Bib Stillwell - £1 260
Jacques Swaters - £1 219
Jack Brabham - £1 205
Lance Macklin - £1 205
Hernando da Silva Ramos - £1 151
Consalvo Sanesi - £1 096
Toulo de Graffenried - £1 096
Dries van der Lof - £1 068
Luigi Musso - £1 068
Maria Teresa de Filippis - £1 055
Johnny Claes - £500
Reg Armstrong - £500
Bernie Ecclestone - £500
André Simon - £500
Jean Behra - £500
Roberto Mieres - £500
André Guelfi - £500
Louis Chiron - £500

Prize money (position)
Alberto Ascari - £26 000
David Hampshire - £21 250
Dorino Serafini - £16 500
Mike Hawthorn - £11 750
Porfirio Rubirosa - £9 000
Robert Manzon - £6 250
Paco Godia - £5 500
José Froilan Gonzalez - £4 750
Maurice Trintignant - £4 000
Tony Gaze - £3 250
Stan Jones - £2 500
Umberto Maglioli - £2 250
Peter Collins - £2 000
Peter Whitehead - £1 750
Stirling Moss - £1 500
Jack Brabham - £1 500
Desmond Titterington - £1 500
Giuseppe Farina - £1 250
B. Bira - £1 000
Tony Brooks - £750
Harry Schell - £500
Tony Bettenhausen - £250

Curse Farina and his dodgy brakes! Lancia don't appear to be available to repair the chassis, so we'll have to give it a go ourselves, it seems.

-De Filippis' chassis will be scrapped. Chassis 2 will be replaced by Albertini's OSCA F154 chassis 6 for the remainder of the season. (to be confirmed by Pointrox)
-Whitehead's and Gonzalez' chassis will be repaired, costs are shared between OSCA and Bentley as usual.
-Marzotto's engine will be repaired, the costs are paid by de Filippis.
-I assume Schell's chassis will be repaired, with the costs paid by Richardson, but since I'm not running that team, it remains to be confirmed by Pasta.

pi314159 wrote:-I assume Schell's chassis will be repaired, with the costs paid by Richardson, but since I'm not running that team, it remains to be confirmed by Pasta.

Geoff Richardson Racing will indeed pay for the repair of Schell's chassis.

Ecurie Albertini loans their OSCA F154 chassis 6 to Teresa de Filippis.

TRA will repair Stillwell's engine.

Perdisa's chassis will be switched from A-002 #2 to A-002 #1 in reaction to the damage sustained at Reims.

Gordini for the time being wont repair the damage and instead for the next GP we will use the following combination

Rubirosa- Chassis 4. Engine-3
Sanesi - Chassis 8. Engine 6
Manzon - Chassis 7, Engine 4

EMW would like to comfirm their entry for Belgium.

Almost...
Well, another try in Belgium then, Claes driving. If we DNQ in Belgium and Germany, it's most certainly ENB will not survive.

This wrote:Almost...
Well, another try in Belgium then, Claes driving. If we DNQ in Belgium and Germany, it's most certainly ENB will not survive.

If things get really desperate for you, perhaps you could pawn some equipment off to survive? Voeckler will give you 10K for that Jaguar engine you've got in stock

Tasman Racing Alliance are putting their brand-new never-used Cooper T41 chassis for sale.

Scuderia Anglo-Italia and Geoff Richardson Racing confirm their entries for Belgium.

V8fan12 wrote:Tasman Racing Alliance are putting their brand-new never-used Cooper T41 chassis for sale.

I'll give you £1 for it

Phoenix will race in Belgium with the OSCA engine and Wolfgang von Trips.

Biscione wrote:

V8fan12 wrote:Tasman Racing Alliance are putting their brand-new never-used Cooper T41 chassis for sale.

I'll give you £1 for it

I'll pay a fiver for it.

Oh, and our Speed 3 chassis will no longer be on sale. We'll have to keep it if Macklin does not respect our cars like how they should be handled.

We'll soldier on in Belgium with the same entry as planned, though.

Alfa Romeo to pay the repairs. And confirm the entry list for the Belgium GP.

Escuderia Hernandez confirm the entry of Belgium, with the Bentley Speed 4 chassis 1 - FIAT 155 engine combo, with Mieres driving it.

B.C.M.A. will scrap Griffin Engine 3 and C-01 Chassis 2 for £1,500 and £2,500, respectively.

Following that, we will construct Griffin Engine 4 and C-01 Chassis 4 for a total expense of £40,000.