Race :: Round 27 - Reaching for Opéra

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Finland's Tavho Myrsky shifts down hard, desperately holding on as the big Chrysler Special roars its way around the curve at Opéra, still in the lead position. Norway's Megane Omalie pulls smoothly into the curve, taking the outside lane and slowing as the full weight of the challenge of the Opéra hairpin along the Quai des États-Unis becomes apparent. She glances over as the Belgian races past, intent on chasing Finland. The little yellow Bugatti runs deep into the curve in high gear as Victor Hugo Stéphane nervously glances over his shoulder, hoping to hold off the Englishman’s Amilcar. Yet John Milk holds steady and instead slides in beside the Norwegian car at the entrance to the curve.

Farther back, Vitez Rychly falls short as the Frenchman powers up from behind at high speed, the Salmson's large aircraft engine announcing the intentions of its race car pilot, Aristide La Fontaine. Even Germany's Godeschalk Hegkman comes onward now, despite being slightly off the pace set by France yet still positioning well despite the battered state of his white single seat Bugatti.

Italy's Sebi Orsi cuts right, skidding out of the curve, his red scarf snapping in the wind. Orsi is clearly seeking to hold off the Spanish driver, Teide Sorolla, who takes the corner at Paillon in textbook perfection. In last place, Switzerland slides into the Paillon curve as driver Petrus de Salvion notes the multiple skid marks and the field of debris leading to the wreck of the Swedish Monza -- all the ill-fated work of those who came before.

In the lead, Finland glances hopefully toward the pit lanes. Mon Dieu! The fires have spread! Smoke obscures much of the view down pit row. Only the first of the garages is in the clear, its roof graced by the red on white Cross of St. George marking out England's team. The flag flies strong before the tumult of menacing black smoke and flames beyond. Amidst the chaos, the British team's pit crew stands at attention, unfazed and ready to take the Amilcar if John Milk elects to make his stop. And through the dark smoke behind, there are but glimpses of other men running back and forth…. Mais… Voilà! On voit aussi la tricolore de la Belle France!

This is Jacques Hévin reporting on the Grand Prix de Nice for Radio Côte d'Azur, broadcasting on 240,2 meters, 0,8 kW and brought to you by the Société du Casino de Juan-les-Pins. We are the voice of Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Corse et de Juan-les-Pins.