Race report – 1924 Gran Premio d’Italia

A Grand Spectacle at Monza: Tolonen Triumphs in a Thrilling 1924 Italian Grand Prix!

Monza, Italy – Autumn, 1924 – Esteemed enthusiasts of motor sport, we gather to recount the gripping saga that unfolded at the hallowed Monza circuit, a demanding theatre of speed and strategy. Today’s event, part of the Golden Era Championship, saw a formidable grid of approximately twenty machines vie for supremacy over forty grueling laps.

The day commenced under a cloudy sky, with the very air hinting at the possibility of a light drizzle, a prospect that held both promise and peril for the competitors. Temperatures hovered around 20 degrees, with a steady wind from the west. The Monza circuit, renowned for its really bumpy sections, particularly the banking, and its heavy braking spots, demanded the utmost from man and machine. The narrow starting grid saw cars in quite close proximity for the traditional standing start, with drivers urged to exercise caution to avoid early mishaps.

From the very drop of the flag, it was Markus Peltonen, piloting an Alfa Romeo, who unleashed a masterful getaway, seizing an early lead. By the second lap, Peltonen had already established a commanding 6.4-second advantage, signaling his intent to dominate. Yet, the Italian Grand Prix is seldom a straightforward affair, and Monza, with its unforgiving tarmac edges that could likely cause a spin if a tire strayed, and bankings that became really difficult as tires wore, promised drama aplenty.

Early in the contest, notable battles unfolded across the field. The spirited duel between Kai Syvertsen, in his 1923 Bugatti, and Haley Smith, piloting a 1923 Delage, was a constant highlight, their machines seemingly balanced and continuously trading places. Indeed, Kai Syvertsen, who had faced unfortunate retirements in previous rounds, navigated the treacherous circuit with skill, though later in the race, misfortune would strike.

The race was punctuated by strategic pit stops and unforeseen incidents. Early on, Zan Darling made a visit to the pits, and Ruy Lázaro’s machine, the number 12, also found its way to the pit lane. JC Lamure suffered a most violent incident, his Voisin clipping a wall and being absolutely annihilated, leading to an unfortunate retirement from the contest. Meanwhile, drivers grappled with tire choices, with the faster SH compound offering speed but proving somewhat useless in the wet and prone to quick wear and overheating. The more conservative LS tire offered greater durability. Pit stops, for either fuel or tires, were a significant time penalty, taking approximately one and a half minutes for a tire change.

As the middle stages of the race unfolded, the Alfa Romeos demonstrated their formidable pace. Nurmi, despite an earlier pirouette after being collected by a backmarker and potentially suffering damage, managed to set a blistering fastest lap of 3:20.826, a testament to the car’s speed. Kari Uotila, another Alfa Romeo pilot, later eclipsed this, setting an even faster lap of 3:20.588.

The championship leaders found themselves locked in intense competition. Nurmi, currently leading the overall standings, engaged in a close battle with Anssi Hyytiäinen, another top contender, eventually making a decisive overtake. However, the most pivotal moments arrived as the skies opened.

Approximately three-quarters of the way through the race, the much-anticipated rain arrived, transforming the circuit into a slippery challenge. This sudden downpour proved to be an absolute game changer. Drivers on the SH tire little by little found themselves at a disadvantage, with Marulete and Uotila both spinning as the track became treacherous. Nurmi, too, experienced moments of instability, their car’s rear end… stepping out. The race leader, Nurmi, later experienced further misfortune, pulling to the side with what appeared to be a damaged front-left tire, forcing a lengthy, unscheduled pit stop.

In contrast, Anssi Hyytiäinen, having wisely opted for the LS tire, found themselves in a highly advantageous position as conditions worsened, gaining significant pace. Markus Peltonen, who had earlier suffered contact with Hyytiäinen and a subsequent off-track excursion that skewed his wheels, also found himself battling through the challenging conditions.

However, the true masterstroke of strategy belonged to Vesa Tolonen. Tolonen, who started in sixth position, had pushed his SH tires to their absolute limit, gambling on staying out for an extended period. While the live timing screen occasionally showed inconsistencies, Tolonen eventually made a crucial decision, switching to the LS compound later in the race. This tactical move, combined with exceptional driving in the adverse conditions, allowed Tolonen to rapidly close significant gaps to the front-runners.

As the race hurtled towards its dramatic conclusion on lap 40, Tolonen was gaining relentlessly on the leader with slightly damaged vehicle, Anssi Hyytiäinen. What followed was a breathtaking display of raw speed and audacious skill. In the final corner of the very last lap, Tolonen unleashed a sensational overtake, blasting past Hyytiäinen with a massive over speed. The crowd roared as Tolonen crossed the line first, securing a magnificent victory at Monza.

Anssi Hyytiäinen, after a valiant drive and an intelligent tire strategy, ultimately finished a commendable second. Markus Peltonen, despite battling through a damaged car and intense conditions, brought his Alfa Romeo home in third, crossing the line essentially on fire and with a wheel or tire lost. Nurmi, after a race of highs and lows, secured a respectable fourth place. Lipi, Uotila, and Haley Smith rounded out the top seven, demonstrating impressive resilience.

Alas, not all were so fortunate. Kai Syvertsen, after a truly spirited performance and countless battles, suffered a heart-wrenching DNF on lap 39, his Bugatti pirouetting off the track. Jay Lamure’s race ended prematurely, as did those of Lindholm, Kossi, LaFontaine, and Korkiakoski, victims of Monza’s unforgiving nature or technical woes.

This Grand Prix at Monza was a true testament to the skill and bravery of the drivers and the evolving machinery of the Golden Era. A contest of strategic brilliance, raw pace, and sheer determination, it will surely be remembered as a classic!

The end results were following:

Race broadcast: