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Race for the Cup Gordon Bennett
In 1899 J. Gordon Benpett, the owner of the newspaper «New York Herald» Cup donated as a challenge prize for the international automobile race. The nature of the race for the cup of Gordon Bennett, was determined by the following rules:
1) Each national club as a representative of his country's records no more than three vehicles, thanks to this provision, race become of international concern;
2) The weight of the vehicle must be in the range 400-1000 kg;
3) All parts of the car must be manufactured in the country, which puts him in the race;
4) distance is 550-650 km races, and races are not divided into stages;
5) The distance may be open (between the two cities), or closed, in which case the length of one lap at least 125 km.
Race for the Cup Gordon Bennett was held six times (1900 - 1905 year.). The first three years the number of participants was limited, but the last three races have become the central event of motor sport, the number of participants reached the maximum possible, because all countries were represented with well-developed automotive industry.
For the selection of representatives to the race Gordon Benietta in some pre-arranged match. In France, until 1904, competitors in the race were appointed by the Chamber of Commerce at its discretion. This method of selection caused a lot of criticism and the strong buzz, as many manufacturers and designers consider themselves well prepared to protect the honor of French industry at the races Gordon Benietta. Therefore, in France in 1904 and 1905 were first held qualifying tournaments. Technical composition of the competitors they were no less interesting than even the race for the cup.
First prize in the race for the cup of Gordon Bennett in 1904 received a car, "Brazier".
By car, "Brazier" were first used friction dampers like "Truffaut." The brake system has two brakes, one of which acted on the differential, the second to the rear wheels. Artillery wheels with wooden spokes type spinning ball-bearing pa (standard cars often had bronze bushings). Front Tire Size 810 X 90 mm, rear - 820 X 120 mm. The fuel tank capacity of 125 liters at the same time served as the seat for the rider and mechanic, and in accordance with this had a special form. Weight omnidirectional vehicle was 950 kg. Maximum speed - 135 km / h. Fuel consumption - 25 liters per 100 kilometers.
The car "Brazier" are extremely regularity and reliability of the and these qualities made it easier to win more than the maximum speed. The difference in transit time of each of the four laps Race for the Cup Gordon Bennett was less than one minute.
By the 1900-1903 years. construction of racing cars and stabilized, while maintaining similarity to that of normal auto-
Difference existed only in the transmission, depending on whether to use a chain or drive shaft. It was widely felt that the fast and powerful car, preferably a chain drives. According to the proponents of this idea, the cars with chain drive better hold the road, less wear on tires and make it easier to change the gear ratio in the main transmission. Despite this, many firms, such as "Reno" and "Clement-Bayar," persistently used the driveline. |
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