6 replies to this topic

[cabianca]

Papa had an accident in 1935 that killed several spectators. Sources differ on where. Can anyone tell me if it was at the Nancy Hillclimb or the GP du Marne at Reims. Car was a T51 Bugatti.

Many thanks

[Michael Ferner]

I don't think he started at Reims that year, or any other year for that matter. My info on hill climbs is very limited, though.

[Vitesse2]

Hillclimb - yes. Reims - yes. Château-Thierry, April 7th. Report from the French sports magazine Match:

 

http://gallica.bnf.f... Bugatti.zoom

 

Front page of l'Homme Libre - with names of the dead and injured:

 

http://gallica.bnf.f... Bugatti.zoom

 

Car stated to be 1500cc, so a T51A.

 

Judicial enquiry:

 

http://gallica.bnf.f... Bugatti.zoom

[Michael Ferner]

Yeah, I just found it, too - in an American newspaper! The Atlanta Constitution of Atlanta/GA, 1935 April 8 - on the front page!!


EDIT: actually, there are dozens of American newspapers reporting about that accident!

Edited by Michael Ferner, 11 May 2018 - 19:32.

[Vitesse2]

Slow news day Stateside? Or maybe the sheer number of victims ...

[Michael Ferner]

The latter, I suppose.

[Tim Murray]

Here’s the entry for one of the killed spectators on Motorsport Memorial:

http://www.motorspor...php?db=ct&n=896

and there’s a report in Motor Sport on the outcome of the judicial investigation of the accident:

https://www.motorspo...-notes-and-news

Huge fines follow Chateau-Thierry probe

The tribunal has now pronounced its belated judgment on the Chfiteau Thierry disaster, when 8 spectators were killed and 20 injured by Cattaneo's Bugatti. There were two defendants, the driver Cattaneo and M. Victor Breyer, director of " L'Echo des Sports," who organised the hilt-climb.

The tribunal found that the danger of the event was aggravated by the fact that the cars had to brake to a standstill on the finishing line, and that no extra precautions bad been taken for this additional hazard.

Cattaneo was acquitted, and the whole blame was laid on the organisers. The fines were as follows:— M. Breyer, fined 200 francs, and ordered to pay 305.000 francs to the families of the dead, 7,000 francs to the injured people who have since recovered, and 87,000 francs to those permanently injured. Finally, "L'Echo des Sports ' was held responsible for the fines imposed on Victor Breyer. in English money these sums amount to well over £5,000.

This judgment is bound to have an adverse effect on French motoring events, for under its ruling the position of organiser becomes a grave responsibility—which, after all, is what it should be. On the other hand, Victor Breyer pointed out that he had fulfilled all the safety requirements demanded by the authorities.

Breyer is going to appeal.

The accident is also discussed in this earlier thread on Cattanéo:

Joseph Cattanéo ? after April 7, 1935