Commercial Section in the French Rally
Page 48
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MITE annual A.C.F. trial, known as the
Rallye des Carburants Nationaux, is to be combined, this year, with the historic M.C.F. Tour de France. The Tour de France, rnoreSver, is to be extended into Belgium and, for the first time, an industrial-vehicle section will be included.
This important event is to take place from May 12 to 28, inclusive, and the nature of the trial is such that it may be well worth while for British manulecturers to show the flag in it. It is more than a reliability trial, for it constitutes a travelling motor show, an exhibition of vehicles being held in every town where the caravan makes a halt.
There are, of course, many cups and trophies to be obtained for regular running, etc., but from a manufacturer's standpoint the event is useful from the fact that business men and potential buyers in the provincial cities are able to examine the latest models without
B34 making a journey to Paris or elsewhere.
In the forthcoming Tour de France et Belgique, commercial vehicles have to cover 4,000 kilometres (2,435 miles).
Industrial vehicles will be divided into four categories : Extra legers, carrying 700-1,800 kilos. ; legers, carrying 1,800-3,500 kilos.; passenger and goods vehicles carrying from 3i-8 tons ; fast goods vehicles carrying 8-18 tons.
Starters must be employed. Any other means for starting entails a penalty of 20 points for each start made. The number of spare wheels allowed must conform with the catalogue specification and such wheels must be carried in the normal positions.
In combining the Rallye des Carburants Nationaux with the Tour de France, the organizers make the use of fuels, other than petrol, optional. Vehicles running on fuels other than petrol, and participating in the " National " event, will have a separate
itinerary and join up with the Tour de France column in Brussels. Vehicles employing petrol and taking part in the Tour will also have their own itinerary, as distinct from cars and motorcycles competing in the event.
Vehicles will be permitted to carry notices describing the classes of fuel upon which they are running. The entrance fee is 500 francs per vehicle, and this money will be returned in full, to every competitor who actually starts in the trial.
Vehicles will be placed in pare-ferme at night on each of the 13 stages and drivers will be allowed into the ear park 30-45 minutes before the start, each morning, in order to fill up and make any necessary adjustment.
Full details of the trial may he obtained from the secretary of the M.C.F., 13, Boulevard Gouvion, St. Cyr, Paris, or from the Federation Nationale in the A.C.F. building, Place de la Concorde.