Page 161 - Bulletin 9 2005

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Finally, in 1939, the last traditional Grand Prix series was held on New Year’s Day at East
London followed by the third Grosvenor Grand Prix at Tokai on 14 January. (Fig. 3.57)

This time the races would follow the European formula and so would be scratch events,
with maximum engine capacity of 1500cc. This race attracted a little over 20 000

spectators.

The field of 12 consisted entirely of British E.R.A. and Italian Masaratis, one each of the

latter group being driven by leading Cape drivers Francis Chiappini, who had come third in
the third SA Grand Prix at East London back in 1937, and Dr. “Mario” Massacuratti, a

flamboyant Italian Capetonian, and probably the most extrovert driver the country has
produced. The crowd loved his wild driving, but he had much success in his racing career –

he had won the second SA Grand Prix at East London in 1936. He also owned the Eagle

Racing Stable situated on the corner of Military and Main Road. Doug van Riet was again
absent from the field due to engine problems. In addition to the participation of the doyen

of British racing, Earl Howe, the Hon. Peter Aitken, son of Lord Beaverbrook, lent

additional up-market lustre to the event. There were only four finishers: the winner was the
Italian Cortese, with Aitken second, and Chiappini third.

Aftermath

Racing at Pollsmoor never generated the same excitement or attracted the crowds that

turned up for the first GP in 1937. It had been hoped that the new facilities would place

Cape Town on the international racing circuit (which they did for three years), and also
provide a quality venue that would continue to draw the crowds that Rietvlei, Noordhoek

and the hill-climb courses (all of which were now closed) had attracted, and so stimulate
the further growth of local motor racing. But most of the local events during 1937 – 39

were poorly supported and Pollsmoor lost money continuously for its backers, the Union
Dominion Trust. Many reasons were offered: the track was too long, the cars were “lost”

against the distant mountain backdrop, costs of using it were higher than at the old informal