From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Newspaper article detailing C. J. P. Dodson's narrow victory in the R.A.C. Tourist Trophy race.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90a\2\ Scan095 | |
| Date | 2nd September 1934 guessed | |
| REFEREE 17 SECONDS' WIN THRILLING DUEL IN TOURIST TROPHY CAR CATCHES FIRE The R.A.C. Tourist Trophy, one of the most gruelling contests in the world, was won yesterday by C. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} P. Dodson (M.G. Magnette), E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} R.{Sir Henry Royce} Hall (Bentley) being second, and T. Fotheringham (Aston Martin) third. THE race took place over the famous Ards circuit at Belfast, and over half a million people watched the succession of thrills it provided. Dodson's time was 6hrs. 13min. 24sec., his speed being officially returned at 74.65 miles an hour. Hall came in seventeen seconds later, and had a speed return of 78.40 miles an hour. Fotheringham's speed was 74.53 miles per hour. GREAT RACE Dodson, speaking to a SUNDAY REFEREE representative he said: "It was a magnificent race and I enjoyed every minute. I thought that on the last lap Hall was going to overtake me, but I just managed to keep ahead. It was a great race and everybody behaved with splendid sportsmanship." Last year, when the race was open to racing cars and super-chargers were allowed, Nuvolari, the Italian ace, won in 5hr. 56min. 34sec. Dodson, with a Standard product, was only 16min. 50sec. outside this time. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} C. DODSON. LAP RECORD BROKEN Though this is the first year the race has been limited to standard model cars as used on the roads, lap records were broken many times. The latter part of the race resolved itself into an intense struggle between Dodson, Hall, and the Hon. Brian Lewis, who drove a Lagonda and eventually finished fourth. Hall, who held the lead for most of the early part of the race, several times breaking the lap record, was eventually overtaken by Dodson. For lap after lap Lewis and Hall strove to get ahead of each other, and drove with never more than ten yards separating them. Then Hall, with a lap at 81.15 m.p.h., which broke his previous lap record, regained first place. On the last lap Dodson drove all out, and cornering within an inch of the banking snatched fractions of a second lead over Hall. W. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Baird's Riley caught fire, and after the flames had been put out was pushed to the pits. Yesterday's Ulster T.T. race resulted in another triumph for the makers of Essolube motor oil, whose product was used by the victorious team of Aston-Martin cars. | ||