Gordon-Bennett Race: win in Mercedes-Simplex

Date:
2 July 1903
Description:
Belgian driver Camille Jenatzy wins the fourth Gordon Bennett Race in Ireland in a 60 hp Mercedes. The car belongs to American enthusiast Clarence Gray Dinsmore from New York, who loaned it to Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft for the race following the fire in Cannstatt.

Pictures3

4th Gordon Bennett Cup race, July 2, 1903. Winner Camille Jenatzy with the 60 hp Mercedes Simplex.

4th Gordon Bennett Cup race, July 2, 1903. Winner Camille Jenatzy (start number 4) with the 60 hp Mercedes Simplex racing car.

A fire at the Daimler factory in Bad Cannstatt in June 1903 three weeks before the Gordon Bennett Race in Ireland also destroys the 90 hp racing car. In order to take part in the internationally-important race, the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (Daimler Motor Company) asks its customers to return three already-delivered 60 hp Mercedes Simplex sports cars. A distinct separation between the car as an everyday form of transport and as an item of sports equipment has not yet become usual in those days. Only the mudguards and every other piece of superfluous ballast are removed for the race in order to reduce weight. Camille Jenatzy wins this prestigious competition with one of these cars, which is given starting position no. 4.