Alt-1954 - Season Review up!

[pi314159]

Regarding Barth's engine, Ultimate already purchased a new one to replace engine 5.

[tommykl]

Regarding Barth's engine, Ultimate already purchased a new one to replace engine 5.

Yes, but they didn't specifically say that they'd replace it

But I'll be kind and replace it anyway

[takagi_for_the_win]

Lancia to return to F1
Following months of speculation, sources in Turin have confirmed that Lancia will be making a return to Formula One racing for 1955, just 4 years after they last withdrew. The car, believed to be codenamed the D50, has been penned by Vittorio Jano and has been pounding the embankments of Monza in preparation for next season. As of yet, there is no word on whether the car will be made available to customer entries or what the works team's plans are.

[tommykl]

Fail on my part here...

Assasti Millanti also need to nominate a replacement driver as John Fitch was injured in Sebring. Due to taking a long time to realise this, andrew has until Tuesday October 14th at 1pm CET.

[andrew]

Fail on my part here...

Assasti Millanti also need to nominate a replacement driver as John Fitch was injured in Sebring. Due to taking a long time to realise this, andrew has until Tuesday October 14th at 1pm CET.

I'll take hermann lang

[tommykl]

In the news

September 5th - KLM Flight 633 crashes in Ireland, killing 28

September 6th - American plane shot down over Siberia

September 6th - New York City radio station shocks by playing a new music genre dubbed "Rock and Roll"

September 6th-8th - Manila Pact signed; South East Asian Treaty Organisation established in Bangkok

September 9th - Algerian earthquake kills 1500 in Orléansville

September 14th - USSR tests first thermonuclear bomb

September 14th - Hurricane Edna strikes New York City

September 21st - US Navy commissions first nuclear submarine

September 24th 1954, Italian Grand Prix prequalifying

And there we have it. B. Bira has won his second world drivers' championship in an anticlimactic United States Grand Prix which saw Consalvo Sanesi take his first victory of the season. With only the Italian Grand Prix remaining, it's time to see if the world champion will finally be able to secure one race win this season.

Or will it be someone else? There have already been seven different race winners this season. Will there be an eighth, and will it be someone other than Bira? Would he even be driving a different car to the four constructors who have won this season? As has been seen many times in the five previous seasons, anything can happen in Formula One, and this weekend, there are 40 candidates who are willing to make it all happen.

2. Jacques Swaters (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 4, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 1
4. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR160 chassis 1, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 1
6. André Pilette (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR160 chassis 3, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 3
8. Peter Whitehead (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR160 chassis 2, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 2
10. Louis Chiron (Leader) - Leader LF153 chassis 1, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 4
12. Eugenio Castellotti (Loyer Racing) - Loyer LR101 chassis 1, Ferrari 555 engine 8
14. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix Racing Organisation) - Phoenix PRO-2 chassis 1, Mercedes UM153 engine 11
16. Tony Bettenhausen (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 11, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 1
18. Dries van der Lof (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 3, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 3
20. B. Bira (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 2, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 2
22. Maurice Trintignant (Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 12, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 16
24. Robert Manzon (Alexander Racing Team-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 1, Gordini ART-004 engine 1
26. Consalvo Sanesi (Alexander Racing Team-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 2, Gordini ART-004 engine 2
28. Peter Collins (Alexander Racing Team-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 3, Gordini ART-004 engine 3
30. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Alexander Racing Team-Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 4, Gordini ART-004 engine 4
32. Aldo Gordini (Anglo Racing Engineering) - Gordini G-953 chassis 5, Gordini ART-004 engine 5
34. Mike Hawthorn (Loyer Racing) - Loyer LR101 chassis 2, Ferrari 555 engine 9
36. Troy Ruttman (Asso di Fiori) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 5, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 8
38. Luigi Villoresi (Asso di Fiori) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 10, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 10
40. Reg Parnell (Scuderia Ferrari) - Ferrari 555 chassis 5, Ferrari 555 engine 3
42. Harry Schell (Scuderia Ferrari) - Ferrari 555 chassis 6, Ferrari 555 engine 2
44. Jack Brabham (Scuderia Ferrari) - Ferrari 555 chassis 1, Ferrari 555 engine 5
46. Umberto Maglioli (Scuderia Ambrosiana) - Ambrosiana A-003 chassis 1, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 5
48. Porfirio Rubirosa (Scuderia Ambrosiana) - Ambrosiana A-003 chassis 2, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 6
50. Ivor Bueb (Royal Racing Automobile Company) - Maserati AM53 chassis 7, Maserati 200F engine 10
52. David Hampshire (Hampshire Racing Alliance) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 5, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 4
54. Manfred von Brauchitsch (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 3, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 3
56. Paul Frère (Officine Alfieri Maserati) - Maserati AM53 chassis 1, Maserati AM53 engine 1
58. Ron Flockhart (Officine Alfieri Maserati) - Maserati AM53 chassis 2, Maserati AM53 engine 2
60. Hermann Lang (Assasti Millanti) - Leader LF153 chassis 3, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 11
62. Paolo Marzotto (Scuderia Ambrosiana) - Ambrosiana A-002 chassis 3, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 4
64. Edgar Barth (Team Ultimate) - Ultimate chassis 002a, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 9
66. Jean Behra (Team Ultimate) - Ultimate chassis 002b, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 6
68. Giannino Marzotto (Officine Renzo) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 5, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 7
70. Toulo de Graffenried (Officine Renzo) - Ferrari 555 chassis 7, Ferrari 555 engine 11
72. Maria Teresa de Filippis (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 2, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 3
74. Stan Jones (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 7, Bentley 16VL-1 Engine 2
76. Sergio Mantovani (Ecurie Albertini) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 6, Ferrari 555 engine 10
78. Fritz Riess (Trod van Hoff Racing) - Van Hoff TVHR100 chassis 1, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 8
80. Hans Herrmann (Rennkollektiv EMW) - Aston Martin AM-04 chassis 7, Bentley 163-1 engine 6

-Following Ecclestone's engine failure in Sebring, Mercedes have decided to sit out the Italian Grand Prix, making the United States Grand Prix their final F1 appearance as a team.
-Scuderia Anglo-Italia return to the paddock after skipping Sebring, bringing back their four cars for Swaters, Brauchitsch, de Filippis and Jones.
-After taking a single car to Sebring, Loyer bring their second car to Monza as well, for Castellotti and Hawthorn.
-JAMR have finally repaired Trintignant's car, and the Frenchman will take part in the Italian Grand Prix alongside his usual partners, Bira, van der Lof and Bettenhausen.
-ARE return after skipping Sebring, entering Aldo Gordini once again.
-BRUNEL have acheived their goal of running at Sebring and will not enter the Italian Grand Prix.
-With Dorino Serafini injuring himself after yet another accident in Sebring, Harry Schell will take his place in the second Ferrari at Monza.
-After suffering yet more car damage in Sebring, Erne will return directly to Ireland, skipping Monza.
-Umberto Maglioli and Porfirio Rubirosa once again drive for Ambrosiana, joined by the annual third driver, this time young Paolo Marzotto. With older brother Giannino also in the race, this marks the first time that two brothers compete in the same event.
-RRAC will finish the season with Ivor Bueb driving the Maserati.
-Assasti Millanti are definitely not missing their home race, but with John Fitch out injured, a quick replacement needed to be found, and it was German pre-War ace Hermann Lang who eventually landed the drive.
-Warden's season ended badly at Sebring with John Fitch wrecking the car and his own body. Naturally, they end their season before Monza.
-Ecurie Albertini decide to make another appearance not far from home, with young Sergio Mantovani taking up driving duties in the O.S.C.A.-Ferrari.
-German baron Trod van Hoff decided to build his own car and stick an O.S.C.A. engine in it. He brought it over to Monza to test it with sportscar racer Fritz Riess behind the wheel.
-Rennkollektiv EMW bring their hopeless car to Monza to make one final attempt at making a race start, with Hans Herrmann once again driving.

So, with 28 grid spots and 40 drivers, 12 drivers will have to go through prequalifying, four of them not making the cut. Here are the names of the unlucky few who will have to drive on the Friday.

Louis Chiron
Eugenio Castellotti
Aldo Gordini
Harry Schell
Ivor Bueb
Ron Flockhart
Hermann Lang
Paolo Marzotto
Stan Jones
Sergio Mantovani
Fritz Riess
Hans Herrmann

[andrew]

C'mon Hans

[tommykl]

C'mon Hans

Surely you mean Hermann

[Miguel98]

"The car is only an experiment. The chassis is flawless, but it will be evolved, as myself, Trod van Hoff III, announces that we will be taking part in the 1955 Formula One World Champioship. I'm looking forward to bringing life into the Grand Prix World with my cars, my life, and my ladies... On the mean time, FRITZ VORQUALIFIZIERUNG DAS AUT SIE IDIOT, ODER DU WIRST STERBEN!!!"

This we're the latest and last declarations before Trod van Hoff stepped up into an airplane into Italy, where he'll be entering the 1954 Italian Grand Prix, the last round of the Formula One World Champioship.

[andrew]

C'mon Hans

Surely you mean Hermann

I was referring to him by first name, Prehaps 2nd name would have been better, but that is rather difficult to spell.

[FantometteBR]

According to rumours, Maserati might attempt to build a new car for next season, if they have sufficient funds for it. Will that happen or it will be as usual a disaster? You will be the judge

[tommykl]

C'mon Hans

Surely you mean Hermann

I was referring to him by first name, Prehaps 2nd name would have been better, but that is rather difficult to spell.

No, what I meant was that you're apparently supporting Hans Herrmann, who isn't your driver

[tommykl]

Well, it's time for prequalifying performance figures, just to show that I'm actually, you know, doing something.

Bueb - 106
Chiron - 105
Jones - 101
Herrmann - 101
Castellotti - 100
Flockhart - 99
Riess - 98
Mantovani - 97
Gordini - 96
Schell - 96
P. Marzotto - 93
Lang - 84

[tommykl]

Prequalifying results
1. Harry Schell (Ferrari) - 2:02.46
2. Stan Jones (Bentley) - 2:03.26
3. Aldo Gordini (Gordini) - 2:07.38
4. Louis Chiron (Leader-O.S.C.A.) - 2:07.42
5. Eugenio Castellotti (Loyer-Ferrari) - 2:07.52
6. Paolo Marzotto (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:07.65
7. Hans "I am not Hermann Lang" Herrmann (Aston Martin-Bentley) - 2:07.76
8. Sergio Mantovani (O.S.C.A.-Ferrari) - 2:07.92
9. Ron Flockhart (Maserati) - 2:09.16
10. Ivor Bueb (Maserati) - 2:09.59
11. Fritz Riess (Van Hoff-O.S.C.A.) - 2:10.04
12. Hermann "I am not Hans Herrmann" Lang (Leader-Jaguar) - 2:11.23

No surprises on the DNPQ list, but the sheer amount of backmarkers in the session guaranteed that there would be a few of them making the cut. On this occasion, Herrmann and Mantovani will be very pleased with themselves. Marzotto and Castellotti were expected to make it but managed to set encouraging times. As expected, Schell and Jones dominated the session. Sadly, Ron "The hero that Maserati deserves" Flockhart will not join his teammate Frère in the main qualifying session.

[andrew]

Oh darn

Does this series have pay drivers.

[tommykl]

Oh darn

Does this series have pay drivers.

The short answer to that is "no".

However, you may find a couple of users willing to pay you a small amount if you run one of their development drivers...

[tommykl]

Qualifying performance.

Ramos - 115
Rubirosa - 109
de Graffenried - 109
de Filippis - 106
van der Lof - 108
Trintignant - 106
Whitehead - 105
Parnell - 105
Frère - 105
Barth - 105
Behra - 105
von Brauchitsch - 104
Manzon - 103
Ruttman - 103
Villoresi - 103
Ascari - 102
Sanesi - 100
Chiron - 100
Hampshire - 99
Jones - 99
Farina - 98
Collins - 98
Hawthorn - 98
Pilette - 96
Mantovani - 96
Castellotti - 95
P. Marzotto - 94
G. Marzotto - 94
Brabham - 93
Herrmann - 90
Bettenhausen - 89
Schell - 89
Gordini - 88
Bira - 87
Maglioli - 86
Swaters - 75

Take your bets...

[HawkAussie]

Maybe I should do this in future because that has worked

[Pointrox]

Wait... did Sergio Mantovani just prequalify?



All drinks on me!

[tommykl]

Qualifying results
1. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Gordini) - 1:58.80
2. Dries van der Lof (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 1:59.66
3. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) - 2:00.00
4. Peter Whitehead (Alfa Romeo) - 2:00.14
5. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) - 2:00.21
6. Robert Manzon (Gordini) - 2:00.90
7. Reg Parnell (Ferrari) - 2:00.93
8. Peter Collins (Gordini) - 2:00.96
9. Maurice Trintignant (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:00.97
10. B. Bira (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:01.92
11. Tony Bettenhausen (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:02.02
12. Jack Brabham (Ferrari) - 2:02.11
13. Porfirio Rubirosa (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:02.25
14. Troy Ruttman (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:02.79
15. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-Mercedes) - 2:02.85
16. Manfred von Brauchitsch (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) - 2:02.89
17. André Pilette (Alfa Romeo) - 2:03.02
18. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.) - 2:03.08
19. Toulo de Graffenried (Ferrari) - 2:03.29
20. Harry Schell (Ferrari) - 2:03.60
21. Stan Jones (Bentley) - 2:03.78
22. Edgar Barth (Ultimate-O.S.C.A.) - 2:03.83
23. Luigi Villoresi (Aston Martin-Jaguar) - 2:04.34
24. David Hampshire (Bentley) - 2:05.16
25. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) - 2:05.44
26. Jacques Swaters (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) - 2:05.77
27. Mike Hawthorn (Loyer-Ferrari) - 2:06.36
28. Jean Behra (Ultimate-O.S.C.A.) - 2:06.46
29. Paolo Marzotto (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:07.69
30. Umberto Maglioli (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) - 2:08.04
31. Louis Chiron (Leader-O.S.C.A.) - 2:08.17
32. Sergio Mantovani (O.S.C.A.-Ferrari) - 2:08.19
33. Eugenio Castellotti (Loyer-Ferrari) - 2:08.27
34. Aldo Gordini (Gordini) - 2:08.49
35. Hans Herrmann (Aston Martin-Bentley) - 2:09.22
36. Paul Frère (Maserati) - 2:09.29

No real surprises, apart from two Ambrosianas failing to qualify. Ramos takes his second career pole position.

[Pointrox]

Right...

[tommykl]

Race performance

de Graffenried 27
Bira 25
Collins 23
Trintignant 21
Villoresi 19
Pilette 17
Farina 16
Schell 16
Ramos 13
Ruttman 10
Barth 7
Bettenhausen 5
von Brauchitsch 4
Rubirosa 2
Sanesi 1
van der Lof -1
Ascari -3
Manzon -12
Jones -13
Hampshire -13
Whitehead -14
Behra -15
Swaters -19
Parnell -20
Brabham -22
Hawthorn -22
de Filippis -25
G. Marzotto -38

Exactly half the drivers will retire (barring any collisions). There will be three accidents and three engine failures. Two of the accidents will be Cat. 1, the third being Cat. 3.

[Nuppiz]

Right, time to tie up some loose ends. F. H. Warden will do the following on their equipment:

Bentley Speed 3 chassis 6 will be auctioned off at the end of the season, unless someone wants it immediatedly. GIVEN TO RENZO ENGINEERING
Bentley Speed 4 chassis 6 is in such a state of disrepair that it will be scrapped. Unless someone wants it for free - the repair costs are still cheaper than buying a new chassis of the same type. GIVEN TO RENZO ENGINEERING
Jaguar JFE-2 engine 9 will be auctioned off at the end of the season, unless someone wants it immediatedly. Take note that this baby has been specially tuned by the factory. GIVEN TO EMW
Bentley 16VL-1 engine 5 will be auctioned off at the end of the season, unless someone wants it immediatedly. GIVEN BACK TO BENTLEY

And then:

Tony Vandervell plans Formula One entry

British ball bearing magnate Tony Vandervell is reportedly planning to enter Formula One in the 1955 season, following a series of entries in Formula Libre races with cars called "Thinwall Specials". It is understood that Mr. Vandervell has hired the best engineers money can buy to design a complete package that is expected to be competitive right from the start. The name of the team is rumoured to be "Vanwall", an amalgamation of Vandervell's name and his factory's most famous product, the Thinwall bearings.

[DemocalypseNow]

French businessman plots F1 venture

Prominent Alstom stakeholder Jean-Francois Voeckler has elected to take his first steps into motorsports, opening a small garagista team named Ecurie Voeckler, which will run 1930 French GP winner Philippe Étancelin in their sole entry.

Ecurie Voeckler have yet to announce their car plans, but it is widely anticpiated they will seek to acquire equipment from the Gordini factory to partake in the 1955 season.

[roblo97]

Japanese prepare for F1 venture

Upstart Japanese car firm Suzuki are planning on entering F1 next year to coincide with the launch of their first car, the Suzulight.
They are yet to announce plans but is is rumored that they will be using their own chassis and engine..

[HawkAussie]

Right, time to tie up some loose ends. F. H. Warden will do the following on their equipment:

Bentley Speed 3 chassis 6 will be auctioned off at the end of the season, unless someone wants it immediatedly.
Bentley Speed 4 chassis 6 is in such a state of disrepair that it will be scrapped. Unless someone wants it for free - the repair costs are still cheaper than buying a new chassis of the same type.
Jaguar JFE-2 engine 9 will be auctioned off at the end of the season, unless someone wants it immediatedly. Take note that this baby has been specially tuned by the factory.
Bentley 16VL-1 engine 5 will be auctioned off at the end of the season, unless someone wants it immediatedly.

EMW will be happy to have Jaguar JFE-2 engine 9 for the 55 season.

[Klon]

Bernie Ecclestone is looking for an engine supplier for 1955. Money is of secondary concern, quality matters.

[pasta_maldonado]

Bernie Ecclestone is looking for an engine supplier for 1955. Money is of secondary concern, quality matters.

If it's quality you're after, then Bentley shoukd be your port of call!

[Klon]

Bernie Ecclestone is looking for an engine supplier for 1955. Money is of secondary concern, quality matters.

If it's quality you're after, then Bentley shoukd be your port of call!

Well, that sounds like a nice idea. Let's arrange a beeeeezness discussion down the road.

[Nuppiz]

EMW will be happy to have Jaguar JFE-2 engine 9 for the 55 season.

Sold! Or as I don't need cash anymore, you can have it for free.

Bernie Ecclestone is looking for an engine supplier for 1955. Money is of secondary concern, quality matters.

If it's quality you're after, then Bentley shoukd be your port of call!

Well, that sounds like a nice idea. Let's arrange a beeeeezness discussion down the road.

F. H. Warden has an almost mint-condition Bentley 16VL-1 engine lying around...

[DanielPT]

Taking advantage of business anouncements Alfa will sell chassis AR160 2 and 3 and engines ARV8 2 and 3 for a price of one combo (55 000). Proven race winners and upgraded several times.

[HawkAussie]

EMW will be happy to have Jaguar JFE-2 engine 9 for the 55 season.

Sold! Or as I don't need cash anymore, you can have it for free.

For free then its taken

EDIT: Scrap the Mercedes-Benz UM153 engine 3 please

[tommykl]

September 26th 1954, Italian Grand Prix

Van der Lof started strongly by leading the first lap, but Ramos soon took the lead again on the second lap. Ascari was the first driver to retire when his Mercedes engine expired on the lap 3. On the very next lap, Brabham's gearbox also let go, leaving 26 drivers. De Graffenried and Bira were already making significant progress, reaching 13th and 5th places respectively. They were reduced to 25 on the very next lap when Peter Whitehead's engine exploded out of ninth place. Troy Ruttman was next to retire with a burnt clutch. At this point, Ramos was extending his lead over van der Lof and Farina, with Bira and Trintignant fighting over fourth and Collins in a solid sixth. De Graffenried then retired with an oil leak after a good race start was cut short. Edgar Barth was next to retire, with a seized gearbox. But behind him, all hell broke loose.

Giannino Marzotto attempted to defend his 19th place from Jacques Swaters, but he swerved too agressively at Lesmo and crashed out. Behind them, Hampshire lifted to avoid any debris, causing Villoresi (immediately behind him) to brake aggressively. Hawthorn, further behind, was distracted by Marzotto's stricken car and did not notice Villoresi's slowed car. He swerved too hard and span off as well, leaving 20 cars in the race. On the very next lap, a misunderstanding between Collins and Manzon sent the Frenchman into the pit wall out of 7th place. Collins didn't let this affect him, and he took fourth place on lap 11.

The first change at the very front came on lap 13 when Dries van der Lof pulled into his pit box at reduced speed. The mechanics looked under the bonnet and quickly found an oil leak. They decided that it couldn't be fixed, and van der Lof was retired from the race. The carnage wasn't over, as the oil left behind found itself under Ramos' tyres, taking the race leader out of the race as well! This left Giuseppe Farina leading his home race ahead of Collins, Trintignant, Bira, Bettenhausen and Sanesi. But this order only lasted a single lap, as Farina span out on the same oil patch! This left Peter Collins in the race lead ahead of Trintignant, while Porfirio Rubirosa entered the points.

The lead changed hands again on lap 17 when Maurice Trintignant passed Collins. This lead lasted all of three laps as Trintignant's clutch failed on lap 21, leaving Collins to lead once more. Bira was a way back, but catching up. On lap 23, Rubirosa dropped from fourth to sixth when he was passed by Sanesi and Parnell in one move. These two also passed Bettenhausen in quick succession to move to third and fourth by lap 25. Except Rubirosa was fighting back as well, taking fourth from Parnell that same lap.

On lap 27, fifth place in the teams' title was resolved in a scary fashion when Rubirosa was spun out by Tony Bettenhausen. The Dominican was sent hard into the earth bank before Parabolica, and the car briefly caught air, but Porfirio walked away unhurt. This allowed Schell to enter the points for Ferrari. Collins, meanwhile, built up the gap to Bira once again, but by lap 31, Collins had lost pace. In the meantime, Sanesi had passed Bira, but once Collins was within striking distance, Bira unleashed a masterful move. On the way down to the Parabolica, Bira got the tow behind Sanesi, and when entering the braking zone, he moved out and not only passed Sanesi, but also outbraked Collins to take the lead!

The points were once again faced with a newcomer when Parnell retired from fourth place with a gearbox failure on lap 34. This left Pilette in sixth place. He was then elevated to fifth when Peter Collins once again missed a podium opportunity by spinning out at Lesmo on lap 36. This also meant that for the first time in his career, Stan Jones was in the points! This did not last long, as on the very next lap, he was passed by teammate Manfred von Brauchitsch and Asso di Fiori driver Luigi Villoresi. Eventually, Swaters also gained ground and was in a strong seventh position on lap 47 when, under braking for the Parabolica, Villoresi made another error of judgment and rammed into his back. Both drivers retired on the spot, and the two nearly came to blows, much to the amusement of the spectators.

But the race continued, and Harry Schell left André Pilette in his dust and started making a bid for the final podium spot. On lap 50, he passed Bettenhausen for third place. Apart from a close battle over seventh place, the order did not change, and Bira finally took his first (and only) victory of the season, ahead of Consalvo Sanesi. Schell scored his first podium with third place, just ahead of Bettenhausen. André Pilette and Manfred von Brauchitsch rounded out the points, each scoring their first points since 1951. De Filippis was classified seventh, ahead of Stan Jones, David Hampshire and Jean Behra. Only ten cars finished the race. JAMR ended up securing both the constructors' and teams' championships, with Ferrari taking third in both, ahead of Alfa Romeo.

1. B. Bira (Aston Martin-Jaguar) 1:57:27.53
2. Consalvo Sanesi (Gordini) +1 lap
3. Harry Schell (Ferrari) +2 laps
4. Tony Bettenhausen (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +2 laps
5. André Pilette (Alfa Romeo) +3 laps
6. Manfred von Brauchitsch (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) +3 laps
7. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.) +5 laps
8. Stan Jones (Bentley) +5 laps
9. David Hampshire (Bentley) +5 laps
10. Jean Behra (Ultimate-O.S.C.A.) +7 laps
Ret. Luigi Villoresi (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +13 laps/Collision
Ret. Jacques Swaters (Bentley-O.S.C.A.) +13 laps/Collision
Ret. Peter Collins (Gordini) +21 laps/Accident
Ret. Reg Parnell (Ferrari) +23 laps/Gearbox
Ret. Porfirio Rubirosa (Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo) +30 laps/Accident
Ret. Maurice Trintignant (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +36 laps/Clutch
Ret. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) +41 laps/Spin
Ret. Hernando da Silva Ramos (Gordini) +42 laps/Spin
Ret. Dries van der Lof (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +44 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Robert Manzon (Gordini) +48 laps/Accident
Ret. Edgar Barth (Ultimate-O.S.C.A.) +49 laps/Gearbox
Ret. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) +49 laps/Spin
Ret. Mike Hawthorn (Loyer-Ferrari) +49 laps/Accident
Ret. Toulo de Graffenried (Ferrari) +50 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Troy Ruttman (Aston Martin-Jaguar) +51 laps/Clutch
Ret. Peter Whitehead (Alfa Romeo) +52 laps/Engine
Ret. Jack Brabham (Ferrari) +53 laps/Gearbox
Ret. Alberto Ascari (Phoenix-Mercedes) +54 laps/Engine

Fastest lap: Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) - 2:02.32

Championship standings
Drivers
1. B. Bira - 45 (WORLD CHAMPION)
2. Dries van der Lof - 24
3. Consalvo Sanesi - 19
4. Hernando da Silva Ramos - 17
5. Tony Bettenhausen - 15
6. Jack Brabham - 14
7. Robert Manzon - 12
8. Giuseppe Farina - 11
9. José Froilan Gonzalez - 9
10. Porfirio Rubirosa - 7 (1 3rd, 1 4th)
11. Peter Collins - 7 (1 3rd, 1 5th)
12. Dorino Serafini - 7 (2 4ths)
13. Peter Whitehead - 6
14. Luigi Villoresi - 4 (1 3rd, 1 11th)
15. Reg Parnell - 4 (1 3rd, 4 Rets)
16. Harry Schell - 4 (1 3rd, 2 Rets)
17. David Hampshire - 4 (1 4th)
18. Toulo de Graffenried - 3 (1 5th, 1 6th, 1 7th)
19. Maurice Trintignant - 3 (1 5th, 1 6th, 6 Rets)
20. Stirling Moss - 2 (1 5th, 2 7ths)
21. Maria Teresa de Filippis - 2 (1 5th, 1 7th)
22. André Pilette - 2 (1 5th, 1 10th)
23. Umberto Maglioli - 2 (1 5th, 2 DNQs)
24. Manfred von Brauchitsch - 1 (1 6th, 2 10ths)
25. Tony Gaze - 1 (1 6th, 1 DNQ)
26. Alberto Ascari - 0 (2 7ths, 1 9th)
27. Troy Ruttman - 0 (2 7ths, 5 Rets)
28. Jacques Swaters - 0 (2 8ths)
29. Johnny Claes - 0 (1 8th, 1 9th)
30. Giannino Marzotto - 0 (1 8th, 1 11th)
31. Mike Hawthorn - 0 (1 8th, 1 16th)
32. Stan Jones - 0 (1 8th, 2 Rets)
33. Giovanni Bracco - 0 (2 9ths)
34. Edgar Barth - 0 (1 9th, 1 10th, 5 Rets)
35. Piero Taruffi - 0 (1 9th, 1 10th, 2 Rets)
36. Jean Behra - 0 (2 10ths)
37. Paul Frère - 0 (1 11th)
38. Bill Vukovich - 0 (1 12th)
39. Roberto Mieres - 0 (1 13th)
40. André Simon - 0 (2 14ths)
41. Onofre Marimon - 0 (1 14th)
42. Bernie Ecclestone - 0 (1 15th, 2 Rets)
43. Louis Chiron - 0 (1 15th, 1 Ret)
44. Aldo Gordini - 0 (1 17th)
45. Rudi Fischer - 0 (2 Rets, 2 DNQs)
46. Ron Flockhart - 0 (2 Rets, 1 DNQ)
47. Lance Macklin - 0 (2 Rets, 1 DNPQ)
48. John Fitch - 0 (1 Ret, 2 DNQs)
49. Geoff Richardson - 0 (1 Ret, 1 DNQ)
50. Ken Wharton - 0 (5 DNQs)
51. Nello Pagani - 0 (4 DNQs)
52. Karl Kling - 0 (3 DNQs)
53. Hans Herrmann - 0 (2 DNQs, 1 DNPQ)
54. Eugenio Castellotti - 0 (2 DNQs)
55. Ivor Bueb - 0 (1 DNQ, 4 DNPQs)
56. Olivier Gendebien - 0 (1 DNQ)
=. Cliff Bergere - 0 (1 DNQ)
=. Paolo Marzotto - 0 (1 DNQ)
=. Sergio Mantovani - 0 (1 DNQ)
60. Fred Wacker - 0 (4 DNPQs)
61. Duncan Hamilton - 0 (3 DNPQs)
62. Luigi Musso - 0 (2 DNPQs)
63. Elie Bayol - 0 (1 DNPQ)
=. Franco Rol - 0 (1 DNPQ)
=. Lucien Bianchi - 0 (1 DNPQ)
=. Anne Hall - 0 (1 DNPQ)
=. Jack Fairman - 0 (1 DNPQ)
=. Fritz Riess - 0 (1 DNPQ)
=. Hermann Lang - 0 (1 DNPQ)

Constructors
1. Aston Martin-Jaguar - 60 (WORLD CHAMPION)
2. Gordini - 49
3. Ferrari - 24
4. Alfa Romeo - 21
5. O.S.C.A.-Bentley - 10
6. Ambrosiana-Alfa Romeo - 9
7. Bentley - 4
8. O.S.C.A. - 3
9. Phoenix-Mercedes - 0 (2 7ths)
10. Mercedes - 0 (1 8th, 1 9th, 1 11th)
11. Bentley-O.S.C.A. - 0 (1 8th, 1 9th, 2 12ths)
12. Ultimate-O.S.C.A. - 0 (1 9th)
13. Maserati - 0 (1 11th)
14. Bentley-Mercedes - 0 (1 12th)
15. Leader-O.S.C.A. - 0 (1 15th)
16. Loyer-Ferrari - 0 (1 16th)
17. Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion - 0 (5 Rets)
18. Bentley-Jaguar - 0 (2 Rets)
19. Aston Martin-Bentley - 0 (1 Ret)
20. Leader-Jaguar - 0 (3 DNQs)
21. O.S.C.A.-Ferrari - 0 (1 DNQ, 3 DNPQs)
22. EMW-Mercedes - 0 (1 DNQ, 1 DNPQ)
23. Mercedes-Bentley - 0 (1 DNQ)
24. Van Hoff-O.S.C.A. - 0 (1 DNPQ)

Entrants
1. Jaguar Aston Martin Racing - 56
2. Alexander Racing Team - 49
3. Scuderia Ferrari - 23
4. Alfa Romeo SpA - 21
5. Scuderia Anglo-Italia - 10
6. Scuderia Ambrosiana - 9
7. Asso di Fiori - 5
8. Hampshire Racing Alliance - 4
9. Maria Teresa de Filippis - 2 (1 5th)
10. Officine Renzo - 2 (2 6ths)
11. Phoenix Racing Organisation - 0 (2 7ths)
12. Mercedes Team Europe - 0 (1 8th, 1 9th)
13. Ecurie Nationale Belge - 0 (1 8th, 1 10th)
14. BRUNEL - 0 (1 8th, 1 DNPQ)
15. Group Ultimate - 0 (1 9th)
16. Officine Alfieri Maserati - 0 (1 11th)
17. Royal Racing Automobile Company - 0 (1 12th)
18. Erne Racing Development - 0 (1 13th)
19. Leader - 0 (1 15th)
20. Loyer Racing - 0 (1 16th)
21. Anglo Racing Engineering - 0 (1 17th)
22. Balkan Eagle - 0 (5 Rets)
23. Reatherson Racing Developments - 0 (2 Rets)
24. F.H. Warden Competition - 0 (1 Ret, 5 DNQs)
25. Geoff Richardson - 0 (1 Ret, 1 DNQ)
26. Redman Racing Team - 0 (4 DNQs)
27. Assasti Millanti - 0 (2 DNQs, 5 DNPQs)
28. Rennkollektiv EMW - 0 (2 DNQs, 1 DNPQ)
29. Ecurie Albertini - 0 (1 DNQ, 3 DNPQs)
30. Cliff Bergere - 0 (1 DNQ)
31. Trod van Hoff Racing - 0 (1 DNPQ)

Post-race report coming soon.

[tommykl]

Post-race report
Injuries

Nothing to see here.

Repairs

Swaters' chassis (Speed 4 chassis 4) - £5 739
Villoresi's chassis (AM-04 chassis 10) - £11 322
Collins' chassis (G-953 chassis 3) - £12 312
Rubirosa's chassis (A-003 chassis 2) - £16 944
Farina's chassis (AR160 chassis 1) - £3 538
Ramos' chassis (G-953 chassis 4) - £3 775
Manzon's chassis (G-953 chassis 1) - £11 592
Marzotto's chassis (F154 chassis 5) - £10 337
Hawthorn's chassis (LR101 chassis 2) - £2 707
Whitehead's engine (ARV8 engine 2) - £20 479
Ascari's engine (UM153 engine 11) - £8 278

Prize money (distance)
B. Bira - £2 000
Consalvo Sanesi - £1 982
Harry Schell - £1 964
Tony Bettenhausen - £1 964
André Pilette - £1 946
Manfred von Brauchitsch - £1 946
Maria Teresa de Filippis - £1 911
Stan Jones - £1 911
David Hampshire - £1 911
Jean Behra - £1 875
Luigi Villoresi - £1 768
Jacques Swaters - £1 768
Peter Collins - £1 625
Reg Parnell - £1 589
Porfirio Rubirosa - £1 464
Maurice Trintignant - £1 357
Giuseppe Farina - £1 268
Hernando da Silva Ramos - £1 250
Dries van der Lof - £1 214
Robert Manzon - £1 143
Edgar Barth - £1 125
Giannino Marzotto - £1 125
Mike Hawthorn - £1 125
Toulo de Graffenried - £1 107
Troy Ruttman - £1 089
Peter Whitehead - £1 071
Jack Brabham - £1 054
Alberto Ascari - £1 036
Paolo Marzotto - £500
Umberto Maglioli - £500
Louis Chiron - £500
Sergio Mantovani - £500
Eugenio Castellotti - £500
Aldo Gordini - £500
Hans Herrmann - £500
Paul Frère - £500

Prize money (position)
B. Bira - £26 000
Consalvo Sanesi - £21 250
Harry Schell - £16 500
Tony Bettenhausen - £11 750
André Pilette - £9 000
Manfred von Brauchitsch - £6 250
Maria Teresa de Filippis - £5 500
Stan Jones - £4 750
David Hampshire - £4 000
Jean Behra - £3 250
Luigi Villoresi - £2 500
Giuseppe Farina - £2 500
Hernando da Silva Ramos - £2 250
Jacques Swaters - £2 250
Peter Collins - £2 000
Reg Parnell - £1 750
Porfirio Rubirosa - £1 500
Maurice Trintignant - £1 250
Dries van der Lof - £500
Robert Manzon - £250

Budgets have been updated.

And now, it's time for the end-of-season auction!

Here's how it will work.

Any team who has gone bankrupt throughout the season will see its assets frozen, its money added to the prize money pot and its cars sold at auction. Any other team may also voluntarily put their cars up for auction at any time before the end of the auction.

The proceeds of the auction go to the prize money pot if the car comes from a bankrupt team. If it comes from another team, three quarters of the proceeds (and not half as I originally decided) will go to the original car owner, the other quarter going to the pot. If a car is not sold before the end of the auction, it will be scrapped and the proceeds will be split as stated above, unless the owner specifically asks for the car to be returned to him.

This is a good opportunity to make quick cash or acquire cars at a cheaper price. Remember, if your team is not out of the red after post-season prize money, you are bankrupt.

Here is how bidding will work. Quite simply, if you wish to bid on a car component, simply state your team name (or a recognisable abbreviation thereof), how much you wish to bid and what you wish to purchase. This bid must be higher than the previous bid, no matter how much more you offer. There is no minimum bid. However, if the highest bid is lower than the car's scrap value, the owner has the right to pull out of the auction.

Without further ado, here are the components currently up for sale. You may offer other components at any time before the end of the auction.

-Bentley 53C chassis 1 (formerly Aqua, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Aqua SAMC-1A engine 1 (formerly Aqua, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 7 (formerly RRAC, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Bentley 53C chassis 2 (formerly RRAC, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Maserati 200F engine 10 (formerly RRAC, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Mercedes UM153 engine 12 (formerly RRAC, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Mercedes UM153 engine 13 (formerly RRAC, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Ferrari 550 chassis 3 (75% of proceeds go to Ferrari)
-Ferrari 550 engine 3 (75% of proceeds go to Ferrari)
-Ferrari 555 chassis 3 (75% of proceeds go to Ferrari)
-Ferrari 555 engine 1 (75% of proceeds go to Ferrari)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 5 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 6 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 8 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Ferrari 555 chassis 8 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Maserati 200F engine 5 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Maserati 200F engine 6 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Maserati 200F engine 11 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Ferrari 555 engine 12 (formerly Redman, proceeds go to the prize money pot)
-Ultimate chassis 002a (75% of proceeds go to Ultimate)
-Ultimate chassis 002b (75% of proceeds go to Ultimate)
-O.S.C.A. 3000V8 engine 2 (75% of proceeds go to Ultimate)
-O.S.C.A. 3000V8 engine 3 (75% of proceeds go to Ultimate)
-O.S.C.A. 156s engine 5 (75% of proceeds go to Ultimate)
-O.S.C.A. 156s engine 6 (75% of proceeds go to Ultimate)
-O.S.C.A. 156s engine 9 (75% of proceeds go to Ultimate)

As of yet, there is no specified closing time or date for the auction. This will depend on how quickly things go.

[pasta_maldonado]

Scuderia Anglo Italia make a bid of £25 to purchase both Bentley 53C chassis 1 and Aqua SAMC-1A engine 1.

[tommykl]

Current bids

-Ferrari 555 chassis 8 - Highest bid: £3 750 (Ecurie Nationale Belge)
-Ferrari 555 engine 12 - Highest bid: £2 500 (Officine Renzo)
-Ferrari 555 chassis 3 - Highest bid: £2 000 (Ecurie Nationale Belge)
-Ferrari 555 engine 1 - Highest bid: £2 000 (Ecurie Nationale Belge)
-O.S.C.A. 156s engine 5 - Highest bid: £1 500 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)
-O.S.C.A. 156s engine 6 - Highest bid: £1 500 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)
-O.S.C.A. 156s engine 9 - Highest bid: £1 500 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)
-Ferrari 550 chassis 3 - Highest bid: £1 005 (Jaguar)
-Ferrari 550 engine 3 - Highest bid: £705 (Jaguar)
-Mercedes UM153 engine 12 - Highest bid: £350 (Officine Renzo)
-Bentley 53C chassis 2 - Highest bid: £350 (Officine Renzo)
-Maserati 200F engine 5 - Highest bid: £310 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)
-Maserati 200F engine 6 - Highest bid: £310 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)
-Maserati 200F engine 11 - Highest bid: £310 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)
-Bentley 53C chassis 1 - Highest bid: £276 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 5 - Highest bid: £250 (Anglo Racing Engineering)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 6 - Highest bid: £250 (Anglo Racing Engineering)
-Mercedes UM153 engine 13 - Highest bid: £220 (Officine Renzo)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 8 - Highest bid: £220 (Anglo Racing Engineering)
-Maserati AM53 chassis 7 - Highest bid: £205 (Jaguar)
-Maserati 200F engine 10 - Highest bid: £205 (Jaguar)
-O.S.C.A. 3000V8 engine 2 - Highest bid: £150 (Anglo Racing Engineering)
-O.S.C.A. 3000V8 engine 3 - Highest bid: £150 (Anglo Racing Engineering)
-Ultimate chassis 002b - Highest bid: £120 (Officine Renzo)
-Ultimate chassis 002a - Highest bid: £120 (Officine Renzo)
-Aqua SAMC-1A engine 1 - Highest bid: £100 (Scuderia Anglo-Italia)

[roblo97]

RRAC are auctioning all chassis and engines as they are not intending to return for 1955.

[tommykl]

RRAC are auctioning all chassis and engines as they are not intending to return for 1955.

So, all proceeds go to the pot, correct?

[pasta_maldonado]

Scuderia Anglo-Italia shall bid £100 each for:

-Maserati AM53 chassis 7 - No bids yet
-Bentley 53C chassis 2 - No bids yet
-Maserati 200F engine 10 - No bids yet
-Mercedes UM153 engine 12 - No bids yet
-Mercedes UM153 engine 13 - No bids yet

[DemocalypseNow]

Renzo bids £500 apiece for;

Bentley 53C chassis 1
Bentley 53C chassis 2
Mercedes UM153 engine 12
Mercedes UM153 engine 13

Renzo also elects to scrap Bentley Speed 4 chassis 6.

FOR SALE
OSCA F154 chassis; Slightly damaged, for sale for just £7,500!
OSCA 156 engine; In pristine condition, on sale for just £7,500!

Buy them together and get a fantastic discount - £12,000 for both in a package deal! That's a saving of £38,000 on list price!!!