1906 Darracq GP

This is me as riding mechanic for Annie Thompson, as we hoop it up around the new Hampton Downs circuit, near Auckland. What an unforgettable  experience.

Louis Wagner, winner of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race and driving his 110hp Darracq, called the race a most nerve-wrenching contest.

More than 200,000 spectators crowded onto the circuit and the drivers did their very best to avoid them. However, there was at least one fatality and several injuries from thoughtless spectators being struck by racing cars.

This is the car as it is today. It does have a very interesting history, being the first "Blue Bird" of Malcolm Campbell and raced at Brooklands, where it regularly exceded 100mph.

I've noticed after inspecting a lot of original photographs from that period, that there has been a few changes through the years to this car and it looks a little different to how it looked in 1906. I find this part of the proccess very interesting and very satisfying.

My painting scene, is Wagner about to swing through a bend with another famous car in the background, it is the 18ltr Locomobile #9, that will win the 1908 race for America, sporting #18. Unfortunately in 1906 they had to replace 11 tires during race and destroying any chance of winning the 1906 race and in spite of being the fastest car of the day and achieving the fastest lap of the race.

This painting has brought back a lot of memories. I can remember having a 1923 Buick, that I was going to build a Raceabout, similar to the Darracq. I do love the look of these big racers and the brave men who raced them.

These cars were achieving speeds of 140kph or higher on rough gravel roads in 1906. Something to ponder, when watching the rally boys these days.