Legat's first victory

Lehoux wins, Czaykowski incolved in tragic crash

The Geneva Grand Prix included a cycle car race, won by Falchetto (Amilcar), and three heats for different classes, with top four finishers from each heat going to the final. The 1500cc heat was won by Veyron, the 2000cc heat by Maleplane and the big cars heat by Lehoux, all three in Bugattis. In the third heat Czaykowski crashed into a house taking the life of the resident.       In the final Lehoux was in his own class leading from start to finish with Lumachi equally sure in second position throughout the race while Caflisch in a Mercedes finished third but far behind.

After a very minor race in 1923, a race for cycle cars and voiturettes in 1925 and a 1100cc race in a 1927, which clashed with the Marne GP resulting in a catastrophic entry list of just four cars of which three came to the start and just two made it to the flag, there was a fourth attempt to arrange a car race at Geneva in 1931. Organized by ACS Genève the decision was this time to create a real international race, but the decision was made too late for the race to be accepted by AIACR as the Swiss Grand Prix so it had to be named the Geneva Grand Prix instead. Baron Horst von Waldthausen was essential in the arrangements for his financial support.       As for the 1920s races the circuit of Mayrin was used. It was located west of the city near the airfield and almost touching the French border. It was triangular in shape with corners at Chatelaine, Meyrin and Mategnin. The asphalt roads on the 9.3 km circuit were improved. At the middle of the main straight a 1200 seat grand stand was erected in connection with the pits and paddocks.       The event was to include a 21 lap race for cycle cars and three 16 lap heats for car up to 1500, 2000 and over 2000cc with four top finishers from each heat going to the 27 lap final. Entry cost was100 SFr and the deadline was 21 May for privateers and 3 June for teams.       Total prizes were 25000 Swiss franc with 1500 SFr for the winner of the cycle car race followed by 1000, 600 and 400 SFr for the following three finishers. Top four winners in the three heats received 1200, 800, 500 and 300 SFr. In the final the top five finishers were to receive, 4000, 2000, 1000, 600 and 400 SFr.

Entries: The race clashed with the Rome Grand Prix so most of the Italian drivers were not present in Geneva.       There were only five entries in the unlimited class. Two of the new Bugatti T51s were to be run by Marcel Lehoux (#51128) and Count Czaykowski (#51126) and a T35B (probably #4942) was entered by Aristide Lumachi from Marseilles. Swiss driver Fritz Caflisch entered a Mercedes-Benz SS (Super Sport), a huge car, having a wheelbase of 340 cm (133.9") against 295 cm for the shortened SSK (Super Sport Kurtz). Italian Umberto Klinger from Ferrara was to race a new 2.5 litre Maserati 26M (#2512).       Emilio Gola had sent an entry to both the Geneva GP and the Rome GP but appeared at neither as the car was not back in shape after his crash at Alessandria on 26 April.       The works Bugatti of Louis Chiron was also entered but never reached Geneva. For some reason Chiron was late and decided not to use a lorry for the transport but he would go in advance to Geneva in a 5 litre car while a mechanic should follow with the T51. During the transport from Molsheim to Geneva, the mechanic, due to fatigue, badly crashed the Bugatti. Chiron visited the mechanic at the hospital and was after a request informed by Molsheim that no other works car was available.       There were several non appearances in the class including the Scuderia Ferrari Monza meant for Borzacchini.       In the two litre class five Bugattis met four Alfa Romeo 1750. Swiss Dr. Joseph Karrer, Bugatti importer for Switzerland, was to race his Bugatti T35C (#4936 bought in June 1929), while another Swiss, Treichler, raced a T35A. Of the French drivers André Minangoy raced a T35C, de Maleplane a T35C (#4864, ex-Lehoux) and Henri Durand a T35A (or possibly a T35C).       Swiss-Italian driver Louis Pesato from Quartier des Eaux-Vives in Geneva (who initially, probably by mistake, was entered in the 1.5 litre class) and Italians Count Rusca, Ignazio Consiglio and Beppe Tuffanelli were to race 6 cylinder Alfa Romeos.       In the 1500cc voiturette class 4 cylinder Bugattis dominated the entry list with Swiss drivers Dr. Guido Avondet, gynecologist from Geneva, (#37379), and L. Wittwer, the latter with an unsupercharged T37 (#37317). There was also a French Bugatti driver quartet consisting of Jean Gaupillat (#37317), Edoard Roux, Pierre Veyron (#37316) and young Jean-Pierre Wimille. Swiss veteran Joseph Kessler, Ciro Basadonna, born in Turin but living in Geneva and being holder of a Swiss license, and Italian Count Lurani were racing Alfa Romeos. Kessler's car was stripped of its chassis apart from the white/red motor hood. French driver Robert Sénéchal entered a five year old 8 cylinder Grand Prix Delage.       In the cycle car class there were 13 entries but just 8 starters. It is not known exactly which drivers came to the start but they included Benoît Falchetto, racing under the name "F. Benoit" with an Amilcar, and Yves-Giraud-Cabantous, racing his own car, the "Caban". Emilio Romano probably raced his T37A (#37304).

Practice: Race positions were to be decided by ballot on Tuesday before the race. Practice sessions were run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday early in the morning from 4-6 a.m. Even with those odd times it's claimed that thousands of spectators turned up for the practice sessions.       Already on Thursday morning some 15 cars took part in the first practice including Lehoux, Czaykowski, Veyron, Kessler and Avondet. The fastest made laps down to around 4m08s.       By Friday evening most of foreign drivers had arrived and were able to take part in Saturday practice.

Heat 1 (class up to 1500 cc): Some 15,000 spectators had already arrived before the first start and some 15,000 more would come during the day. There was a change in the program as the 1100cc race was moved further on so that the competitors in the bigger classes should have more time to prepare themselves between their heats and the final.       So the first event was a 16 lap heat for cars up to 1500cc that started at 8:05 a.m. Of the 15 entries four were missing and Louis Pesato had been moved up to the 2 litre class so there were 10 cars on the grid in front of Café de l'Aviation as Mr. Decrauzat, president of the N.S.K., dropped the flag. The grid was decided by ballot:

52 Avondet Bugatti 34 Veyron Bugatti 42 Senechal Delage 54 Gaupillat Bugatti 50 Basadonna Alfa Romeo 38 Kessler Alfa Romeo ?? ?? ? ?? ?? ? 48 Lurani Alfa Romeo ?? ?? ?

Veyron immediately took the lead followed by Gaupillat and Roux while Sénéchal, who had had ignition problems with his Delage during the Italian Grand Prix, immediately noticed that the problems had not been cured. There is a picture where one can see two mechanics pushing the Delage as the flag drops. Also favorite Wimille soon struck technical problems as well and had to pit after the first lap. Then Gaupillat also got into trouble and had to let Roux past. After five laps the situation was as follows: 1. Veyron (Bugatti) 22m10s 2. Roux (Bugatti) 22m26s 3. Gaupillat (Bugatti) 22m32s 4. Senechal (Delage) 22m34s Gaupillat retired his Bugatti on the sixth lap. With Sénéchal falling back, still suffering from ignition problems, Kessler moved up to third position and started to attack Roux, while Avondet followed in fourth and Lurani in fifth positions. After 10 laps Veyron was leading Roux by 52 seconds: 1. Veyron (Bugatti) 43m35s 2. Roux (Bugatti) 44m27s 3. Kessler (Alfa Romeo) 45m48s 4. Avondet (Delage) 47m20s On the 11th lap Sénéchal gave up and retired to the pits. On the same lap Lurani tried to pass Avondet for fourth position and a place in the final but he went wide and had to stop to avoid a crash. With jammed brakes it took some time for him to rejoin the race again. Kessler gave up the chase on Roux and concentrated on taking his Alfa Romeo to the finish. Seven drivers made it to the end with French Bugatti drivers taking a double win, Veyron taking an easy victory followed by Roux. Local drivers Kessler and Avondet brought their cars to the flag in 3rd and 4th positions to make it to the final as well to the joy of the spectators. Lurani finished fifth, just out of a place in the final followed by Wimille and Wittwer, who had held on to 7th position for the whole race.

Heat 2 (class up to 2000 cc): After a break it was time for the 2 litre heat. Goffredo Zehender with his Alfa Romeo was a non starter but Swiss driver Louis Pesato had been moved up to this heat so there were still nine competitors.

72 Pesato Alfa Romeo 68 Treichler Bugatti ? ? Bugatti 60 Consiglio Alfa Romeo 62 Karrer Bugatti 64 Durand Bugatti ? ? Bugatti 74 Tuffanelli Alfa Romeo ? ? Bugatti

To the joy of the spectators Swiss-German driver Karrer immediately took the lead. De Maleplane stalled at the start, losing 40 seconds, but eventually rejoined the race and had already passed two cars before the end of the first lap. Durand never properly got into the race as he had to retire at Le Bouchet after only two laps. De Maleplane continued at his high pace, passing car after car to eventually reach Karrer and pass him too for the lead. After five laps de Maleplane was leading by just one second: 1. de Maleplane (Bugatti) 21m42s 2. Karrer (Bugatti) 21m43s 3. Minangoy (Bugatti) 22m22s 4. Consiglio (Alfa Romeo) 22m35s The spectators were looking forward to a great duel between the duo, but on the 7th lap there was a huge disappointment as Karrer had to retire his car with a broken valve spring. Minangoy thus went up to second while Consiglio dropped back giving Tuffarelli third position and Rusca fourth. Situation after 10 laps was as follows: 1. de Maleplane (Bugatti) 43m12s 2. Minangoy (Bugatti) 44m32s 3. Tuffanelli (Alfa Romeo) 44m56s 4. Rusca (Alfa Romeo) 49m15s So also this heat ended in a double French Bugatti victory with de Maleplane winning from Minangoy. Tuffanelli lost positions at the end so Alfa Romeo drivers Pesato and Rusca were the other two that qualified for the final, finishing 3rd and 4th.

Heat 3 (class over 2000 cc): There were just five competitors in the big class. Before the heat Chiron went on public speakers and announced the reason why he was a non starter. The cars were lined up like this:

80 Caflisch Mercedes-Benz 84 Czaykowski Alfa Romeo 76 Lehoux Bugatti 88 Klinger Maserati 92 Lumachi Bugatti

There were two favorites, Lehoux and Czaykowski, and when the flag dropped the duo immediately took command of the race. Lumachi also in a Bugatti followed in third position, Klinger was distant fourth and Caflisch obviously had problems early in the race as he was last. After five laps the leading duo had already opened up an over a minute gap to Lumachi: 1. Lehoux (Bugatti) 19m46s 2. Czaykowski (Bugatti) 19m52s 3. Lumachi (Bugatti) 21m00s 4. Klinger (Maserati) 22m10s With half the race gone Lehoux and Czaykowski, still in a tight duel, were about to put fourth positioned Klinger a lap down. Lehoux passed without problems and then Klinger steered back to the middle of the track not realizing Czaykowski was just behind him. Czaykowski's Bugatti and Klinger's Maserati touched each other. As there were spectators on the left side of the road, Czaykowski in a split second decision decided to force his car to the right. At high speed the Bugatti left the road and shot through an open gate into a garden of a detached house. The Zaninetti family was sitting on the veranda steps of their house when the Bugatti crashed into the veranda demolishing it. The car continued in a slide along the wall leaving deep scars, hit another veranda construction and ended up with a somersault. 51 year old Vittorio Zaninetti had both his legs crushed and was to succumb at hospital later that day while his wife survived with lesser injuries and his son with a concussion. Czaykowski himself survived the crash with a broken rib and a slightly wounded right leg and could after some first aid treatment return to the pits to show the spectators that he was all right.       The race now seemed to have lost most of its excitement. Lehoux was now leading the race by almost a lap from Lumachi. After 10 laps the situation was: 1. Lehoux (Bugatti) 39m17s 2. Lumachi (Bugatti) 41m52s 3. Klinger (Maserati) 45m50s 4. Caflisch (Mercedes-Benz) 46m04s But the drama of the race was not over. Lehoux got brake problems which made the handling of the car difficult. Then he got a puncture and made a pit stop before the last lap. The tyre change took just 16 seconds, quite an astonishing time for 1931 and Lehoux held on to his lead without problems. At the end of the race Caflisch managed to pass Klinger for fourth position. That did not matter much as all four cars that took the flag qualified for the final.

Final: The four top finishers from the first three heats, twelve participants in total, took part in the final. The positions of the drivers from the 3rd heat are known from pictures. The grid also included Veyron, Roux, Kessler and Avondet from heat 1 and de Maleplane, Minangoy, Pesato and Rusca from heat 2:

88 Klinger Maserati 76 Lehoux Bugatti 92 Lumachi Bugatti ?? ?? Bugatti 80 Caflisch Mercedes-Benz Rest of grid unknown

When the flag dropped Lehoux from the middle of the first row took the lead. He was followed by Lumachi, de Maleplane, Klinger, Minangoy, Roux and Kessler. Lehoux immediately took command of the race, opening up a gap to Lumachi. Roux was an early retirement with mechanical problems. After five laps Lehoux had already overtaken the last cars of the field. Lumachi's second position was equally clear as he had opened a 49 second gap to de Maleplane: 1. Lehoux (Bugatti) 20m19s 2. Lumachi (Bugatti) 20m53s 3. de Maleplane (Bugatti) 21m42s 4. Klinger (Maserati) 22m34s Third positioned de Maleplane retired with a broken fuel line and Veyron also had to call it a day. Meanwhile Lehoux and Lumachi continued to dominate the race and at 10 laps the leader had already caught Minangoy, who had taken over 3rd position, to put him a lap behind. Situation after 10 laps: 1. Lehoux (Bugatti) 40m28s 2. Lumachi (Bugatti) 41m46s 3. Minangoy (Bugatti) 44m29s 4. Klinger (Maserati) 45m44s 5. Caflisch (Mercedes-Benz) 45m50s Lehoux increased his speed even more and made the 12th lap in 3m55s. Umberto Klinger had to retire his Maserati. On lap 13 Kessler, according to Automobile-Review, moved up the 4th position but then dropped down the field again. Race order after 15 laps: 1. Lehoux (Bugatti) 1h00m15s 2. Lumachi (Bugatti) 1h02m44s 3. Minangoy (Bugatti) 1h08m31s 4. Caflisch (Mercedes-Benz) 1h08m34s 5. Rusca (Alfa Romeo) 1h08m52s From 17 laps onward there were no more retirements and the field remained the same to the end of the race. On the 19th lap Lehoux made the fastest lap again with a time of 3m52s. After 20 laps the order was: 1. Lehoux (Bugatti) 1h19m55s 2. Lumachi (Bugatti) 1h23m39s 3. Minangoy (Bugatti) 1h30m12s 4. Caflisch (Mercedes-Benz) 1h30m46s 5. Kessler (Alfa Romeo) 1h31m46s After the 20th lap Caflisch moved up to 3rd. (See "In retrospect" what happened to Minangoy.) So the race continued with Lehoux in the lead. After 22 laps he had lapped all other competitors at least once. On the same lap Lehoux with a time of 3m50s made the fastest lap of the race.       After a brilliant race, having led from start to finish, Lehoux took the flag five minutes from Lumachi, who had been second for the entire race. Next came two Swiss drivers, Caflisch took the big Mercedes to third before Kessler and Rusca finished fifth.       Prize ceremonies were held next day at 11 a.m. at ACS's Geneva office.

Ernesto Maserati wins at Rome with a 16-cylinder car

Heat 2: Immediately after the first Heat finished, 11 cars from the 15 Group II entries, 1100-2000 cc, lined up on the Heat 2 grid. All 11 cars could be identified in one photograph taken seconds after the start. The grid below shows them in their most likely position but perhaps not all in their correct places.

40 Castelbarco Bugatti 52 Nuvolari Bugatti 48 Ruggeri Talbot 72 Andreoni Maserati 60 Balestrero Talbot 50 Savi Maserati 62 Pedrazzini Maserati 56 Sebastini Maserati 38 Muti Maserati 64 Biondetti Maserati 58 Minozzi Bugatti

At the 3:15 PM start, Nuvolari immediately took the lead, pressed hard by Ruggeri's Talbot, further back Castelbarco, Pedrazzini, Savi and Biondetti. The clash between Nuvolari and Ruggeri was fascinating during the fast early laps. Neither of the two could get the upper hand. On lap five Ruggeri passed Nuvolari, leading him past the grandstand. Biondetti in his Maserati rapidly gained ground from the last row of the grid. On lap seven he passed both Ruggeri and Nuvolari. The latter stopped at his pit with ignition problems and was forced to retire. Now an exciting battle continued between Biondetti and Ruggeri in second place, followed by Castelbarco and Savi. Pedrazzini retired and Minozzi stopped at the pits. Then, on lap 15 Ruggeri gave up with a broken oil pipe. After the same lap, Muti stopped to refill with water, thereafter he had engine problems and he finally retired. After 20 laps the order was Biondetti, Minozzi, Castelbarco and Savi. Then Minozzi fell back again while Biondetti headed towards victory, pursued by Castelbarco. But the Maserati driver did not give way. In the meantime Savi passed Castelbarco on lap 25 for second place.

Final: Everybody had waited for the 12 fastest cars that qualified for the Final. They happened to be the first five of heat 2 and heat 3 plus the winners of heat 1 and 4. The grid below was pieced together with help of two photographs, lining up all cars and drivers. Those in row three and four shows them in their most likely position but perhaps some not exactly in their correct place.

82 E. Maserati Maserati 74 Varzi Bugatti 58 Minozzi Bugatti 76 Cerami Maserati 60 Balestrero Talbot 78 Dreyfus Maserati 36 Scaron Amilcar 70 Nuvolari Bugatti 68 Fagioli Maserati 40 Castelbarco Bugatti 64 Biondetti Maserati 50 Savi Maserati

The Final started at 5:00 PM when Varzi, Ernesto Maserati and Balestrero made up the leading group. Varzi was in first place after lap one, only ten meters ahead of Ernesto Maserati's 16-cylinder car, followed by Dreyfus and Fagioli. On lap three Scaron retired his Amilcar with a broken clutch. After five laps, Varzi had pulled out a 3.2s advantage over the big Maserati. Nuvolari had to retire his Bugatti after only five laps with a broken valve spring. On lap 10, Ernesto Maserati drove his fastest lap in 1m30.2s, an average of 159.645 km/h. After ten laps Varzi was leading Maserati by only one second. Then, while still in front on lap 15, Varzi burst the right rear tire, losing a lot of time when he had to stop at his pit to change the wheel. Maserati's 16-cylinder was now in the lead, which he was to maintain until the end. The Maseratis of Fagioli and Dreyfus were second and third, followed by Minozzi's Bugatti and Biondetti's Maserati. Varzi was now distanced from the leading Maserati team but with a new wheel he was lapping again at his rather fast pace. On lap 21 Fagioli headed for his pits with a mechanical problem. Two laps later Varzi passed into third place behind Maserati and Dreyfus, followed by Biondetti, Minozzi and Balestrero. On lap 25 Varzi established what was to be the fastest lap of the race in 2m28.4s at an average of 162.896 km/h. Up to lap 30 the positions remained unchanged with Varzi in third place, but on lap 33 Varzi headed for the pits and retired with an ignition problem. The race had now lost its brilliance while Maserati drove with regularity towards victory. Savi (Maserati) retired on lap 53, Castelbarco (Bugatti) stopped on lap 55 and Minozzi had also disappeared. The two leading Maseratis had lapped the remaining cars at least twice. Balestrero passed Cerami for fourth place while the troubled Fagioli remained in last place.