Race report – 1925 Grand Prix d’Europe

A Grand Spectacle at Spa-Francorchamps: The 1925 Grand Prix d’Europe

Good day, fellow enthusiasts of the roaring motorcar! Step right up as we recount the thrilling saga of Race Number Six, the 1925 Grand Prix d’Europe, held upon the challenging and untamed original layout of Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit renowned for its treacherous gravel surface and narrow confines. This contest of speed and fortitude saw the finest drivers and their magnificent machines grapple with every turn and incline, promising a truly unforgettable spectacle.

The Contenders and Their Steeds

The paddock buzzed with anticipation, for the 1925 season had bestowed a mighty 70 horsepower boost upon the Delage 2LCV, rendering it by far the fastest car on the track today and clearly the winning prospect. Indeed, many top drivers, including the championship leaders, favored this powerful automobile. Yet, the ’25 Alfa Romeo P2 was not to be underestimated, poised to offer a significant challenge. Other cars, like the 1924 Sunbeam Grand Prix and the 1923 Voisin C6 Laboratoire, faced a distinct disadvantage, requiring unfortunate things to happen for them to get high positions.

The Championship’s Finest on the Grid

The championship standings arriving at Spa were exceptionally tight, with Hyytiäinen, Nurmi, and Markus Peltonen occupying the top three spots, the leading two separated by a mere point. The starting grid, determined by ballot, placed Kari Uotila on pole, followed by Z. Darling who was unfortunately was absent as he needed some medical care just before the race and Anssi Hyytiäinen in second and third respectively. Eetu Nurmi (TissiTuning Racing) began from fourth. Other notable starters included Vesa Tolonen in seventh and Markus Peltonen (TissiTuning Racing) starting from a distant sixteenth position. A total of 18 drivers lined up for the 20-lap race, expected to last somewhat over two hours, given the sub-six-minute lap times. Drivers were equipped with heavy studded tires, a durable compound essential for the demanding dirt track, which was not paved until 1928.

A Start Riddled with Drama

The race commenced with a regular standing start, engines roaring to life. While Kari Uotila rocketed off the line with a fantastic start, Anssi Hyytiäinen almost stalled his car and endured a very slow start, momentarily losing ground to Nurmi before swiftly regaining position. However, the early lead of Uotila was tragically short-lived, as their Delage slowed to a complete stop due to what appeared to be a tyre puncture, dropping them rapidly down the grid to eleventh position. This unforeseen calamity allowed Hyytiäinen to seize the lead on Lap 1, a position they would command with a formidable display of skill and speed.

The Grueling Journey of the Race

Hyytiäinen’s Dominance: Anssi Hyytiäinen in the 1925 Delage 2LCV established an early and commanding lead, showcasing superior driving prowess. Despite a minor slow start, Hyytiäinen opened a gap of 1 second by Lap 1, extending it to 2.7 seconds on Lap 2. This lead continued to grow, reaching 11 seconds over Peltonen by Lap 7 and a significant 12 seconds by Lap 10. Hyytiäinen maintained this commanding lead throughout the race, only seeing the gap close significantly when Markus Peltonen had to make a pit stop. Hyytiäinen finished the race completing 20 laps with a total time of 01:57:13.673, securing victory. His best lap time was 05:49.342 on Lap 2.

Peltonen’s Valiant Pursuit: Markus Peltonen, also driving a 1925 Delage 2LCV, battled fiercely from his 16th starting position. He consistently held a strong second place for much of the race, attempting to close the gap to Hyytiäinen. Peltonen managed to bring the lead down to 8.5 seconds by Lap 19. However, a late-race pit stop proved costly due to a minor crash with fellow driver, extending Hyytiäinen’s lead to a full minute and effectively dashing Peltonen’s hopes for victory. Nevertheless, he secured a solid P2 finish, completing 20 laps with a total time of 01:58:08.930. His best lap time of 05:48.153 on Lap 18 was phenomenal.

Nurmi’s Rollercoaster Ride: Eetu Nurmi, in another potent 1925 Delage 2LCV, faced a challenging race marked by multiple pit stops for unknown reasons, possibly as many as three. Despite these setbacks, Nurmi consistently demonstrated incredible pace, setting a new best lap time of 05:48.066 on Lap 10. By the final lap, Nurmi pushed even harder, setting an even faster best lap of the race at 05:46.528 on Lap 20. That ended up being the fastest lap of race. Nurmi’s aggressive driving style, described as pushing the car well to its limits, might have contributed to the need for frequent pit visits. Despite the pit woes, Nurmi managed to climb back to finish an impressive 4th place, completing 20 laps with a total time of 02:01:28.878.

Uotila’s Epic Comeback (and Fade): Kari Uotila’s race was a true saga of highs and lows. After starting in P1 and suffering an early puncture that dropped him to P11 and even to the back of the grid at one point, Uotila mounted an extraordinary comeback. Utilizing the superior power of the 1925 Delage 2LCV, Uotila charged up quickly, making significant overtakes and reaching as high as P3 by Lap 11. This remarkable ascent from podium to the back of the grid and back to the podium again in 11 laps was a testament to his skill and determination. However, Uotila’s struggles were not over. Later in the race, they experienced further tyre and pedal issues, losing pace and falling back down the grid. Uotila eventually finished in 11th position, completing 19 laps with a total time of 02:03:21.632, a bittersweet ending to a dramatic outing.

Other Noteworthy Performances

Esa Mikkola in the 1925 Alfa Romeo P2 delivered once again a consistent performance, moving up 10 positions from his starting spot to secure a commendable 3rd place finish. Almost flawless drive while having his moments of horror while crashing slowly on the haybales in feared Malmedy chicane – right in the footsteps of Ville Korkiakoski. Mikkola completed 20 laps with a total time of 02:01:10.775 and a best lap of 05:56.398 on Lap 13.

Vesa Tolonen, driving a 1925 Delage 2LCV, finished in 5th place, completing 20 laps with a time of 02:02:36.876. Tolonen reported battling technical issues with his goggles, which led to a spin in the tricky uphill spot and further to the engine damage requiring a pit stop, costing him significant time. Despite this, his P5 finish was pretty well considering that there was a lot of issues with other drivers.

Kai Syvertsen in the 1925 Alfa Romeo P2 was driving a fantastic race and was after 4th position long in to the race also faced some unfortunate last lap mechanical issues, coming to a complete stop and ultimately finishing in 15th position, having completed 16 laps.

Lipi with 1925 Delage 2LCV experienced significant mechanical trouble, including a burst rear right tire while climbing a hill, which almost ended their competitive run. With succesful attempt to nurse the car back, Lipi eventually finished in 14th place, completing 17 laps.

Ramen Grosjeant in the 1925 Bugatti T35 endured a particularly punishing race, crashing multiple times and suffering significant damage, including broken wheels. Grosjeant completed only 12 laps, finishing in 17th place.

The Chequered Flag

In a race filled with unforeseen challenges and remarkable displays of resilience, Anssi Hyytiäinen emerged as the undisputed victor of the 1925 Grand Prix d’Europe at Spa-Francorchamps. He piloted his 1925 Delage 2LCV with solid command for the entire duration, a testament to both driver and machine. Hyytiäinen revealed that he had initially planned a splash and dash for fuel but later realized he could likely finish without stopping if he conserved fuel, a strategy that paid off handsomely.

Markus Peltonen secured a strong second place, showcasing tremendous recovery from a distant starting position. Esa Mikkola rounded out the podium, delivering a consistent performance in his Alfa Romeo.

A Look Ahead

The championship now turns its gaze towards Spain, specifically to Miramas, for the next round. This upcoming event promises a unique challenge: a flat oval track with two chicanes that offer potent but risky overtake possibilities. And devoid of banking, which is expected to foster really action-packed battles. Furthermore, the series will proceed to a new year: 1926, with set of cars gracing the track, ensuring a fresh shuffling of the field and new opportunities for all competitors.

Indeed, the 1925 Grand Prix d’Europe was a splendid exhibition of early motor racing, fraught with peril and propelled by passion!

Results

Race broadcast: