By Pete Vack and Kurt Hasler
All photos copyright Stephan Traber
September 9th, 1934: Benoit Falchetto, perhaps a better driver than many realized, came home first in the Grand Prix de L’UMF held on the famous banked circuit of Montlhéry, fifteen miles outside of Paris. He was driving Maserati 8CM 3015, the subject of our recent book review. On Apri 20-22, Maserati 3015 in the hands of owner Kurt Hasler, returned again to the famous French banked circuit to participate in the Montlhéry Vintage Revival.
Maserati 3015 arrives at the track, 79 years after its victory there.
The circuit was constructed in 1923 in six months using more than 2000 workers.The banking layout was made for speeds up to 220 km per hour (about 140 miles per hour). It was the brainchild of Alexandre Lamblin, the wealthy head of a company that manufactured radiators. Lamblin acquired a chateau and 12,000 acres of land for the project. Patterned after Brooklands, it had the added advantage of having four different road courses in addition to the banking. The 1.58 mile banked oval is quite bumpy, because of the type of construction of the bankings. Most of the other banked tracks, like Brooklands or Sitges Terramar, have earth dams; Monthléry has a filigree load-carrying construction made of concrete beams with 16 to 18 meters height.
Hasler does some dicing with a handy Bugatti.
The preparation of the Maserati for the event meant that the dampers at the front axle had to be harder and all screws had to be tightened and locked by wire. Said Halser, “Driving at about 160 to 180 km per hour, some parts of the track are so bumpy that you have to be careful not to be pulled out of the car and you must hang onto the steering wheel.” (To get an idea of driving on the banking, watch “It begins with a journey” video on the website).
In period attire added to the atmosphere, but it is very nice to be able to talk shop with other participants is one of the reasons that makes this event so special.
“Fortunately, the Maserati had no major problems at the races. The Bugatti had an ignition problem on Sunday, but we made a temporary fix and it ran well all weekend,” said Hasler. With the Maserati, it is still difficult to brake before a corner as the front axle will jump around – a problem that even gave Nuvolari trouble.
About 240 cars and 80 motor cycles were running in seven different groups. One interesting group consisted of three-wheelers like Morgan, Darmont and Sandford. The diversity of cars was incredible, with all the little-known cars of French car manufacturers of the 1920s. Like at Goodwood, many drivers, mechanics and visitors were dressed in historical clothes, giving the event a special touch.
Sandfords, Darmonts, Moggies, add the incredibile diversity of cars at Montlhéry.
“Our group consisted of five cars from Switzerland, but not in actual competition with each other. Included in our heat were two Indy racers, our Bugatti and Maserati, and an Alfa 6C 2500. We could also run against other competitors like the Bugattis T51 and T59 and another Maserati, a T 26,” said Hasler. “It is an unbelievable feeling, driving on this 60 degree banking and feeling like Falchetto or Nuvolari.”
Alexander Vonow looks over his 1939 Alfa 6C 2500 SS Corsa. He had engine troubles on Saturday evening and was not able to drive on Sunday.
The Maserati, which had won the GP de L`UMF at Montlhéry in September 1934, was one of only a few original cars which had participated at the famous track in its prime. Maserati 3015 was presented by the event speaker and created a great deal of interest, even though most of the people mixed up the Hungarian race colors with the Italian flag!
Future events for the Maserati 8CM 3015 include:
Eifel Rennen at the Nürburgring June 2013
Hill climb Vernasca Silver Flag June 2013
Solitude race track in Stuttgart July 2013
Hill climb Altbüron August 2013
Significant Others at Montlhéry:
Heinz Hofer with his Maserati 26 M with Buick straight 8 cylinder engine.
Dyer’s Mors Aero GP, 1907-14. The Mors has a Curtis OX 5 watercooled aero engine.
Cohen in the 1908 Brazier-Aero Race. The Brasier has a Hispano-Suiza aero engine with 12 liters capacity.
And the opposite of the Aeros, a Grafton Monocar from 1919 with a single cylinder engine with 300cc.
Schmid’s 1922 Senechal Super Sport. It has a wooden body frame and is covered by linen similar to the early airplanes.
Bugattis as far you can see; different types, from T 13 Brescia T23, T36, T35C, T35B, T51 and even one T59.
Hasler team at work in the paddock. The Bugatti has starting problems on Sunday morning so it needed pushing.
This Bugatti T36 (offset single seater) was an entrant of the Montlhéry opening run in 1923. It is now in the hands of the well-known Bugatti historian Hans Matti.
Two very fast Indianapolis cars: 1932 Graham 8 Lucenti in blue with Thomas Schott at the wheel. The green car is the Shafer Buick 8 1932 and Heinz Bachmann as driver.
Riding mechanic earning his keep! The Lombard AL 3 of Mr. Hendrix is being worked on, and in the background the Amilcar C6 MCO (single seater) of Mr. Lamoureux goes by on the banking
I am trying to contact Thomas Schott, owner of the Graham Lucenti Indianapolis car. Can you please send his contact info? I have some information about his car.