5 replies to this topic

[quattordici]

Hello,
I'm looking for anything about this race, which took place between 1903 and 1913 if I'm not mistaken.
I already found 2 topics on this forum containing results of these races.
But I'm looking for a lot more, photos especially but also early magazines with articles (scanned or original), programmes maybe, exact track layout, etc ...
In other words, I'm looking for anything that could help me in visualizing these very old races and in finding out the stories behind them. I don't think there already exists a book or publication on these races ...
Many thanks in advance for your help !
All the best,
Axel

[hansfohr]

This postcard shows Louis Wagner (Darracq) at the 1905 Meeting Ostende, winning the "Coupe de Caters à Duilens". It was a landspeedrecord event, so I guess the 'circuit' was merely a straight line. I can't recall a genuine circuit at Ostende before 1911-1913.

[Michael Ferner]

Yes, Oostende was a speed trial event as far as I can tell. Today, one would call it a sprint, perhaps.

[dax]

But I'm looking for a lot more, photos especially but also early magazines with articles (scanned or original), programmes maybe, exact track layout, etc ...

A good starting point can be "La Presse" archives.

[Rob Semmeling]

Try searching the newspapers at http://god.biboostende.be/

[quattordici]

Thanks for the input so far, especially the Ostend newspapers could be a good source of information. Thanks Rob !
But all in all, response is very low, I know, it's not a very well known race and we're talking here about the very early beginnings of motor sport, but there must be some specialists here, some real guru's, who know more about this topic, not ??
After all, the land speed record in 1903 and 1904 was attained here in Ostend, and this was before Daytona and long before Bonneville Salt Flats became popular ...