The 8th running of the Coppa D’oro took place at the new Nova Ridge Motorsports Park in Mississauga, Ontario. Four builders entered 14 scratch built pre-war models to compete in two classes:

• Pre-war Vintage [PGP] and
• Streamliners [PGP+].

Models representing seven manufacturers including Auto Union, Mercedes Benz, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Ford and Bentley each arrived on their team transporters.

Six models registered for the faster streamliner class and eight entered the slower vintage pre-war class. Entrants came from all over continental europe and the U.K. – one entry even traversed the Atlantic ocean – all the way from South America just to compete in this running of the Coppa D’oro. Bravo!

After arriving in the paddock every model was inspected and all were cleared to compete within their respective class.

The Full Field [PGP] & [PGP+]

The Start

Every model would compete for 3 minutes across three lanes for a total of 9 minutes and would race multiple times as a placeholder thereafter. It was agreed at race control that the blue lane would not be used for this event. Time to finally roll the first three models out to the starting line!

The Race

The first heat saw the field spread comfortably apart but thankfully that would not become a trend. As engine temperatures rose and fuel levels dropped several exciting battles took shape. Duels between Bugatti and Mercedes, Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin as well as Ford and Bentley all thrilled for laps at a time. But then the streamliners would put on a spectacular performance – stealing the show in a manner that this writer has rarely (if ever) seen before. All of the streamliners would take turns leading each heat, often for just a portion of a lap before being passed in the very next corner. How late does one dare to brake going into the hairpin? Time would tell…

Three minutes of wheel to wheel racing ended with the streamliners all crossing the finish line within inches of one another – and just a tenth of a second separating first to third! Placeholder results did not count but the thrills will still be remembered!

Photographs of the Paddock, Practice, Warmup & Race

For scoring purposes only the first rotation would count towards a model’s result. After careful review by an aged and “far from super” computer the official race results are finally ready! Drum roll please!

Overall Race Results [PGP] & [PGP+]

1. #2 – Auto Union Type D (T. Nuvolari) [PGP+] 39 (21.523);
2. #35 – Bugatti Type 50B (L. Andretti) [PGP+] 39 (27.676);
3. #4 – Auto Union Type C (B. Rosemeyer) [PGP+] 39 (27.869);
4. #14 – Mercedes Benz W125 (R. Caracciola) [PGP+] 39 (32.641);
5. #5 – Auto Union Type C (W. Weis) [PGP+] 38 (29.038);
6. #1 – Auto Union Type C (B. Rosemeyer) [PGP+] 38 (37.153);
7. #33 – Aston Martin Ulster 1.5L (M. Faulkner) [PGP] 36 (12.111);
8. #14 – Bugatti Type 59 (J.P. Wimille) [PGP] 36 (12.330);
9. #28 – Bugatti Type 35B (L. Chiron) [PGP] 36 (26.820);
10. #34 – Mercedes Benz SSK (R. Caracciola) [PGP] 36 (29.860);
11. #6 – Alfa Romeo 8c 2300 (L. Chiron) [PGP] 36 (31.003);
12. #32 – Ford V8 Special (I. Correa) [PGP] 34 (12.768);
13. #22 – Bugatti Type 35B (R. Dreyfus) [PGP] 32 (22.009);
14. #1 – Bentley 4.5L Blower (Sir H. Birkin) [PGP] 32 (23.131).

Race Results [PGP+]

1. #2 – Auto Union Type D (T. Nuvolari) [PGP+] 39 (21.523);
2. #35 – Bugatti Type 50B (L. Andretti) [PGP+] 39 (27.676);
3. #4 – Auto Union Type C (B. Rosemeyer) [PGP+] 39 (27.869);
4. #14 – Mercedes Benz W125 (R. Caracciola) [PGP+] 39 (32.641);
5. #5 – Auto Union Type C (W. Weis) [PGP+] 38 (29.038);
6. #1 – Auto Union Type C (B. Rosemeyer) [PGP+] 38 (37.153).

Race Results [PGP]

1. #33 – Aston Martin Ulster 1.5L (M. Faulkner) [PGP] 36 (12.111);
2. #14 – Bugatti Type 59 (J.P. Wimille) [PGP] 36 (12.330);
3. #28 – Bugatti Type 35B (L. Chiron) [PGP] 36 (26.820);
4. #34 – Mercedes Benz SSK (R. Caracciola) [PGP] 36 (29.860);
5. #6 – Alfa Romeo 8c 2300 (L. Chiron) [PGP] 36 (31.003);
6. #32 – Ford V8 Special (I. Correa) [PGP] 34 (12.768);
7. #22 – Bugatti Type 35B (R. Dreyfus) [PGP] 32 (22.009);
8. #1 – Bentley 4.5L Blower (Sir H. Birkin) [PGP] 32 (23.131).

Wow! Exceptionally close racing as confirmed by the official scoring! Cheers to those builders and pilots who participated – everyone was a winner today! Can’t wait till the next Coppa D’oro!