10th GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE TOUR DE FRANCE (1961)

Synopsis

This epic film shows the 10th Grand Prix of Europe (Grand Prix D'Europe) and the Tour de France, beginning in Nice. Hosted by Bill Cullen, the film features terrific aerial footage and interviews with drivers and other participants. The route of the race goes from Nice to Clermont, to Nancy, into Belgium and then back to Rouen, Le Mans and Pau before doubling back to Nice. A portion of the race even takes place in traffic (47 minute mark) before heading to Corsica for the finish. Spoiler alert, the film was won by the great Willy Mairesse (1 October 1928 – 9 September 1969). He was a Formula One and sports car driver from Belgium. He participated in 13 World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 19 June 1960. He achieved one podium, and scored a total of seven championship points. He committed suicide in a hotel room in Ostend after injury at the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans forced an end to his career. Tour de France Automobile was a sports car race held on roads around France regularly – mostly annually – between 1899 and 1986. The first edition was held in 1899 at speeds of 30 mph (50 km/h). The first event was won by René de Knyff driving a Panhard et Levassor. Organized by Le Matin, under the control of the Automobile Club de France, held July 16 to 24, in seven stages: Paris-Nancy; Nancy-Aix-les-Bains; Aix-les-Bains-Vichy; Vichy-Périgueux; Périgueux-Nantes; Nantes-Cabourg; Cabourg-Paris. Out of 49 starters, 21 vehicles finished. The 1908 event was won by Clément-Bayard.…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

51 minutes

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage