Philippe Étancelin - error on "On This Day In History"

[Muzza]

Dear Fellows,

One of today's (September 6th) captions under the banner "On This Day In History" reads "Philippe Etancelin and two spectators died when his Alfa Romeo crashed during a race at Monza, Italy."

This is incorrect: Étancelin died fifty years later, of natural causes, on 13 October 1981. He was active in motorsports well into the 1953 season.

Regards,


Muzza

[marcus]

hmmmmmmmmmmm , Ok thanks Muzza , I will check that out.

sorry for the error

[Muzza]

Thanks, Marcus,

If you find anything, please let me know - it would be useful to the Motorsport Memorial project.

As far as I know the only fatality in Monza that year was Luigi Arcangeli, killed on 23 May 1931 in a crash when practicing for the Gran Premio di Monza.

September is the month when the big races - as the Gran Premio d'Italia - take place, so your sources may have uncovered something unknown to us so far.

Please keep me posted. Thanks,


Muzza

[Rob29]

From Monza Yearbook 1962 report of 4th Monza Grand Prix;
"Philippe Etancelin went of the road at Lesmo,investing a group of spectators who had torn down the fence and stood at the edge of the track.There were two deaths and 14 injured,leaving a pall of sadness over the autodromo"

So looks like no additional driver fatality found,Philippe aparently uninjured.

[marcus]

Thanks Rob , interesting that says 1962 however ?

I have the accident as 1931.

sorry I havent fixed this yet as Ive been very busy , but it is duely noted and I will chase it up as soon as possible

[TimD]

Marcus, the Monza Yearbooks were a sort of "Autocourse-for-Monza-only", published in the early 1960s with some nice retrospective articles, including the one Rob quoted. Phi-Phi's accident was indeed in 1931.

Now, has anyone got a spare 1966 Monza he asks...?

[Muzza]

Thanks, Rob29 (as usual!).

Now I've found a parallel problem (I mean, not directly related to the events of 6 September 1931), some as sources indicate that the Gran Premio di Monza of 1931 would have been held in May, not in September... I will further investigate that and I will keep you all posted.

Best regards,


Muzza

[marcus]

Now I am confused

[Muzza]

Ok, let me explain but please keep in mind that this is pending further research; thence, my words in this posting are not conclusive.

1.) Luigi Arcangeli was killed in a practice accident for the Gran Premio di Monza on 23 May 1931.

2.) Philippe Étancelin accident on 06 September 1931 killed two people - and, according to the postings above, during a race also called Gran Premio di Monza.

This is strange. Were there two GP di Monza in 1931 - one in May and other in September? (not impossible) Or was the September race actually called Gran Premio d'Italia, or even - as it was in some years - Gran Premio d'Italia e di Monza?

Let me investigate this...

Cheers,


Muzza

[Rob29]

Originally posted by Muzza
Thanks, Rob29 (as usual!).

Now I've found a parallel problem (I mean, not directly related to the events of 6 September 1931), some as sources indicate that the Gran Premio di Monza of 1931 would have been held in May, not in September... I will further investigate that and I will keep you all posted.

Best regards,


Muzza

According to the Sheldon 'black book' Vol.2,the race held on 24 May '31 was 'XI Gran Premio d'Italia'The first race to be held to the international formula in 1931 was at Monza.The date was brought forward to May to make use of the extra daylight in that month' It was a 10hour race with 2 drivers.
More info on the 'Phi Phi' incident in September;it was during a repecharge in which only 4 cars started.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by TimD
Marcus, the Monza Yearbooks were a sort of "Autocourse-for-Monza-only", published in the early 1960s with some nice retrospective articles, including the one Rob quoted. Phi-Phi's accident was indeed in 1931.

Now, has anyone got a spare 1966 Monza he asks...?

Sorry,not spare,but I have 8 volumes Monza Yearbooks 1960-66 plus'Monza 1922-72' bought from a stall at Silverstone in the 80s for £10.

[garcon]

Probably Tim that sold 'em to you...

[TimD]

I wish! At £10 apiece I'd have snatched the vendor's hand off.

I've had to pay triple that, and I'm still missing '64 and '66.

[Rob29]

It was £10 the lot Tim! I had to ask the guy on the stall 'is that £10 each or £10 the lot'he was not sure and said to come back later when the boss returned.I almost forgot about it,and looked in several hours later,and was amazed to come away with 8 books in 2 carrier bags for £10.