You didn’t think we’d finish Tours up without a full spec and result section? Below, just that. Below that, some YouTube links to several videos depicting the 1923 French Grand Prix.
Above, a notice about the 90th year celebration event at Tours which will take place next year. If you are interested in participating contact: grandprixdetours@wanadoo.fr.
Next week, Gijsbert-Paul Berk will provide an analysis of the race and its legacy. It will surprise you. [Ed.]
1923 GP TOURS / SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PARTICIPATING CARS
Group 1
| MANUFACTURER | BUGATTI | DELAGE | FIAT | FACTORY TYPE | Type 32 | 2LCV | 805-405 | CYLINDERS | 8 in line | V12 | 8 in line | BORE X STROKE | 60 x 86 mm | 51.3 x 80 mm | 60 x 87.5 mm | CAPACITY | 1989 cc | 1984cc | 1990cc | CAMSHAFT(S) | SOHC | DOHC | DOHC | NO. OF VALVES | 24 | 24 | 16 | CARBURETOR(S) | 2 Zenith | 4 Zenith | 1 plus supercharger | BHP @ RPM (1*) | 95 @ 5000 | 120 @ 6200 | 118/125 @ 5500 | IGNITION | 1 Magneto | 2 Magneto | 1 Magneto | # OF SPARK PLUGS | 8 | 12 | 8 | CLUTCH | Multiple discs | Multiple discs | Multiple discs | FRONT BRAKES | Hydraulic | Mech. Perrot | Mechanical | REAR BRAKES | MECHANICAL | Mech. + Servo | Mech. + Servo | WHEELBASE | 200 cm | 260 cm | 262 cm | FRONT TRACK | 105 cm | 125 cm | 120 cm | REAR TRACK | 105 cm | 125 cm | 120 cm | WEIGHT(*2) | 755 / 761 kg | 704 kg | 699 / 706 kg |
Group 2
| MANUFACTURER | ROLLAND-PILAIN | SUNBEAM | VOISIN | FACTORY TYPE | A22/23 | 2-litre G.P. | C6 Course | CYLINDERS | 8 in line | 6 in line | 6 in line | BORE X STROKE | 59 x 90 mm | 67 x 94 mm | 62 x 110 mm | CAPACITY | 1968 cc | 1988 cc | 1992 cc | CAMSHAFT(S) | DOHC | DOHC | 1 CRANKSHAFT | NO. OF VALVES | 16 | 12 | 12 Sleeve | CARBURETOR(S) | 4 Claudel | 1 Solex | 2 Zenith | BHP @ RPM (1*) | ± 100 @ 5000 | 110 @ 5000 | 80 @ 4800 | IGNITION | 1 Magneto | 1 Magneto | 1 Magneto | # OF SPARK PLUGS | 8 | 6 | 6 | CLUTCH | Single disc | Cone | Cone | FRONT BRAKES | Hydraulic | Mech. Perrot | Mech. Perrot | REAR BRAKES | Mechanical | Mech. + Servo | Mechanical | WHEELBASE | 250 cm | 250 cm | 272 cm | FRONT TRACK | 100 cm | 130 cm | 145 cm | REAR TRACK | 100 cm | 120 cm | 75 cm | WEIGHT(*2) | 822 / 842 kg | 670 / 678 kg | 733 /772 kg |
(1*) Estimated power output. No reliable figures available
(2*) The official weights, measured by the ACF at Semblançay
Final Results
| Driver/Mechanic | Car | Time/retired | Laps completed | Segrave/ Dutoit | Sunbeam #12 | 6 h 35 m 19.6 | 35 | Divo/ Hivernet | Sunbeam #7 | 6 h 54 m 25.4 | 35 | Friderich /Rohfritsch | Bugatti T32 #6 | 7 h 00 m 22.4 | 35 | K.Lee Guiness /Perkins | Sunbeam #2 | 7 h 02 m 03.0 | 35 | Lefebvre /Fortin | Voisin C6 #10 | 7 h 50 m 29.2 | 35 | Salamano /Ferreti | Fiat 805-405 #14 | NA | Retired Lap 32 /fuel problems | Duray/Blanc | Voisin C6 #5 | NA | Retired Lap 29/engine problems | Guyot/Letigny | Rolland Pilain #3 | NA | Retired Lap 28/engineproblems | Rougier/Lalaurie | Voisin C6 #15 | NA | Retired Lap 19/engineproblems | Giaccone/Cangnano | Fiat 805/405 #9 | NA | Retired Lap 16/supercharger | de Cystria/Lutz | Bugatti T32 #18 | NA | Retired Lap 12/Damaged | Thomas /Lhermit | Delage #1 | NA | Retired Lap 8/fuel tank | Hémery/Delalande | Rolland-Pilain #13 | NA | Retired Lap 7/oil pump | Bordino/Bruno | Fiat 805/405 #4 | NA | Retired Lap 7/engine | Marco/Zim | Bugatti T32 #16 | NA | Retired Lap 3/engine | de Vizcaya/Etienne | Bugatti T32 #11 | NA | Retired Lap 1/accident | Morel/Chanu | Voisin C6 #17 | NA | Disqualified | Goux/ | Rolland Pilain #8 | NA | Did not start |
FASTEST LAP
Pierro Bordino Fiat 805 / 405 9 m 36’00” =142 km/h
Now that you know more about the Grand Prix of Tours than anyone else, we urge you to watch the videos on the links provided below. They will definitely make you appreciate the cars and the times. [Ed.]
Films on websites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nfLP80es94
The Grand Prix of France, British Pathe video
Read Preface to this series.
Read Part 1, The Circuit of this series.
Read Part 2 the Press and Regulations of this series.
Read Part 3 Bugatti and Delage of this series
Read Part 4 Fiat and Rolland-Pilain of this series
Read Part 5 Sunbeam and Voisin of this series
Read Part 6 The Race of this series
Read The Art of Tours of this series