WELCOME TO LA GRANDE ÉPREUVE
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1934
RADIO CÔTE D'AZUR BROADCAST COVERAGE
Ici le Poste de Radiodiffusion de Cannes, Nice et de Juan-les-Pins; émission Radio Côte d'Azur. This is Jacques Hévin from Radio Côte d'Azur, broadcasting on 240,2 meters, 0,8 kW and brought to you by the Société du Casino de Juan-les-Pins. Radio Côte d'Azur also covers the Region de Nice, Monaco, et Corse.
Welcome to the Grand Prix de Nice, the first race in France for this year's Grande Épreuve season. The start of the race has been delayed two days to today, Monday, April 23rd, due to a dreadful rain coming off the Mediterranean. This morning, the circuit in Nice is ready. The cars are lined up along the southern edge of the Quai des États-Unis, the drivers watching for the green flag to drop, signaling the start of the race. First they must dash to their cars, climb in, and then race off down the Promenade des Anglais, accelerating rapidly, then downshifting hard for a tight hairpin curve at the Hôtel Negresco. Then they race back up the Promenade, taking a turn at the Hôtel Ruhl, before heading up the west side of the Jardin Albert Ier to a sharp right turn at Avenue de la Victoire, followed in quick succession by a turn at Place Masséna, and then coming down to the curve where the river Paillon enters the Baie des Anges, a hard left turn onto the Quai des États-Unis, followed by a hard right hairpin at Opéra to run the straightaway back to the starting point and around again.
Today’s Grande Épreuve will consist of two laps with a pit stop available for those drivers electing to do so. It is expected to be a difficult course, with cars vying for position in the first curve at Hôtel Negresco. The curves in the Grand Prix de Nice are very tight, often necessitating drivers to shift all the way down to 1st gear and then open it back up accelerating down the straights into high gear -- a very tricky course which maximizes driver experience and is very hard on the race cars. Few expect all of the cars to finish.
> Click to Follow the Race – via the Race Blog!
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1934
The Pre-Race Party at the Swiss Consulate in Nice
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1934
STARTING GRID ANNOUNCED FOR THE GRAND PRIX DE NICE
The starting grid was announced today for the Grand Prix de Nice and consists of the following:
- 01 NORWAY
- 02 SWEDEN
- 03 BELGIUM
- 04 MONACO
- 05 CZECHOSLOVAKIA
- 06 GERMANY
- 07 FRANCE
- 08 BRITAIN
- 09 ITALY
- 10 SWITZERLAND
- 11 SPAIN (or OTHER TBD)
- 12 FINLAND
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1934
READ THE NEWSPAPER :: L'OUEST-ÉCLAIR
> > > CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE NEWS! < < <
Current Driver Standings
The current point standings after the first race in Algiers, are as follows:
01 - Louis de Montignac, Monaco
03 - Vitez Rychly, Czechoslovakia
05 - Estebàn Blanco, Spain
06 - Eusebius "Sebi" Orsi, Italy
07 - Tavho Myrsky, Finland
08 - Megane Omalie, Norway
09 - Rutger Hägglund, Sweden
10 - Petrus de Salvion, Switzerland
12 - Godeschalk Hegkman, Germany
12 - Victor Hugo Stéphane, Belgium
12 - John Milk, Britain
13 - Aristide La Fontaine, France
Please note that in keeping with the points systems in use in the 1930s, points are imposed, not awarded, based on performance. At the end of the season, the driver/nationality with the lowest points wins the series.
Download the Circuit Map of the Grand Prix de Nice
Along the beautiful Cote d'Azur, through the seaside streets of the city of Nice, with sharp hairpin corners defining the ends of the long straights along the boulevards of Quai des États Unis and the Promenade des Anglais. Two laps for the race with an optional pit stop.
- Download Small Size (412 KB)
- Download Large Size (793 KB)
THE WINNER AT STAOUÉLI IS...
LOUIS DE MONTIGNAC – MONACO
Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1934
POST-RACE INTERVIEWS AND PARTY
ON BOARD SR. CARMENA-MOTTA'S YACHT, "BELLA FORTUNA"
Post-Race Interviews with Podium Finishers
News Reporting from the Hospital for "Sebi" Orsi's Release
The Italian Goat Dinner and Post-Race Party & Celebration
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1934
RADIO ALGIERS BROADCAST COVERAGE
If you are just joining us now, this is Radio Algiers, broadcasting on 745 kilohertz, Marcus al-Wasir reporting from circuit side near La Bridja, Algeria. We are just seconds from the green flag that will mark the start of La Grande Épreuve of 1934. The racers, hailing from a dozen countries in Europe, are lined up in their starting grid positions, with John Milk of England in the coveted P1, his British Racing Green Amilcar C6 gleaming in the sun. The weather is excellent with only a few clouds in the sky to the southwest.
For the racing pilots, ahead lies the town of Staouéli, where they will face their first real driving challenge. It will be a fast start, rapidly pushing engines and shifting to the highest gears before braking into the sudden right hand turn in the city center, at Place Staouéli. After that, in quick succession, they'll face the curves of Ibn Ziri, El Wahid, and the deadly chicane called Sinistere, before racing down another long straight to the hairpin turn at La Trappe, another long straight to the final hairpin here at La Bridja, and then racing home for the checkered flag. It will be quite a race.
The sound of the engines is deafening now, nearly drowning out the crowd of race fans who line the stands. Goggled drivers glance side to side and then, one by one, focus their eyes ahead on the start official. He raises his green flag once upward and then, with a sudden downward motion, the race begins....
> Click to Follow the Race – via the Race Blog!
CLOSE UPS OF CARS FOR STAOUÉLE (BOARD PIECES)
Close up images of the classic cars involved in the Grand Prix d'Algiers 1934, inluding Bugattis, Maseratis, Alfa Romeos and more, have now been published for those interested. These images reflect the artwork completed to render the cars for movement as icons on the game board (i.e., top views).
> Click Here to View Cars!
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1934
STARTING GRID ANNOUNCED FOR STAOUÉLE
The starting grid was announced today for the Grand Prix d'Algiers at Staouéle, and consists of the following:
- P01: BRITAIN
- P02: SWITZERLAND
- P03: BELGIUM
- P04: CZECHOSLOVAKIA
- P05: GERMANY
- P06: SWEDEN
- P07: NORWAY
- P08: MONACO
- P09: FINLAND
- P10: SPAIN
- P11: ITALY
- P12: FRANCE
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1934
PARTY NEWS, THE EMBASSY OF MONACO IN STAOUÉLE
PART I: The Strange Experience of Germany's Godeschalk Hegkman von Grebeneck
PART II: In the Lady's Honor: The combined tales of Rutger "Hajen" Hägglund (Sweden), Louis de Montignac (Monaco) and Eusebius "Sebi" Orsi (Italy)
PART III: Intrigue at Staouéli: Tavho Myrsky (Finland) , Aristide La Fontaine (France), Esteban Blanco (Spain), Victor Hugo Stéphane de Broqueville (Belgium), and John Milk (Britain)
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1934
READ THE NEWSPAPER :: LE SOIR
> > > CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE NEWS! < < <
La Grande Épreuve is a PBEM (Play By E-Mail) game set in the 1930s in Europe. Drivers may select cars by Bugatti, Maserati, Riley, Auto Union and more.
The game is based loosely on the rules of Formula D, from Asmodée Editions, combining a light role playing approach with a proven, if modified set of rules for this very popular racing game.
For those interested in following the game rather than playing it, please bookmark this page and stay up to date on the news and progress of the 1934 racing season here at La Grande Épreuve!
WE HAVE SIGNED UP THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF TWELVE PLAYERS/DRIVERS AND ARE UNDERWAY WITH THE FIRST RACE. STAND-BY PLAYER APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED. You may find that one of the players does not remain in the game, so please join, by email to gamemaster.
Scroll down for downloads of rules and first track circuit, the Grand Prix d'Algiers, set at Staouéli.
DOWNLOADS
- PBEM Formula D LGÉ Game Rules
Formula D rules, with modifications, clarifications and improvements to allow for streamlined, optimized and effective use in Play By E-Mail (PBEM) or for regular board game use. Includes an extensive list of 1930s era cars, such as numerous models of Auto Union, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Bugatti and more. Car definitions include individualized Wear Point (WP) values as well as images depicting the cars in their correct national colors for Germany, Italy, France, Britain, Monaco, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Algeria, Spain, Norway, Finland, Belgium and more.
- Asmodée Editions Original Formula D Rules
CIRCUIT MAP TRACK DOWNLOADS
- 2nd Race Circuit - Grand Prix de Nice, France
Along the beautiful Cote d'Azur, through the seaside streets of the city of Nice, with sharp hairpin corners defining the ends of the long straights along the boulevards of Quai des États Unis and the Promenade des Anglais. Two laps for the race with an optional pit stop.
- Download Small Size (412 KB)
- Download Large Size (793 KB)
- 1st Race Circuit – Grand Prix d'Algiers – Staouéli
North African heat, palm trees; a good beginner race course to learn the game. Very long straights with tight turns at the end of each, plus a few chicanes. A huge track, nearly 300 movement spaces long -- and therefore multi-round PBEM will be introduced for the straights to streamline and speed up play.
- Download Small Size (0.60 MB)
- Download Large Size (1.32 MB)
(Depending on your system, you may have to right click on these and then SAVE AS... instead of just clicking to view. The files are GIF images, but quite large.)
WEBSITES & LINKS
WE HAVE REACHED OUR FULL COMPLEMENT OF TWELVE PLAYERS/DRIVERS. AT THIS TIME, FIRST COME, FIRST IN LINE, OTHERS APPLYING WILL BE KEPT ON A WAITING LIST AS REPLACEMENT DRIVERS.
If you would like to join the standby list, please email the gamemaster.
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THE DRIVERS
GERMANY 
Driver: Godeschalk Hegkman von Grebeneck
Car: Bugatti T51A
Specifications: WP: T8 B4 G3 C3 E3 H2
Player: Charlie H., Florida, USA
ITALY 
Driver: Eusebius "Sebi" Orsi
Car: Maserati 4CM 2.0 L S-4
Specifications: WP: T8 B5 G2 C2 E3 H3
Player: Mike V., Washington, USA
MONACO 
Driver: Louis de Montignac
Car: Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 2.7L
Specifications: WP: T8 B5 G4 C2 E2 H2
Player: Ludovic R., Principality of Monaco
SWITZERLAND 
Driver: Petrus de Salvion Bernardus
Car: Bugatti T51 2.3L S-8
Specifications: WP: T7 B3 G2 C2 E3 H3
Player: Michael H., Colorado, USA
CZECHOSLOVAKIA 
Driver: Vitez Rychly
Car: Bugatti T51A 1.5L
Specifications: WP: T8 B4 G3 C2 E2 H3
Player: John C., Kansas, USA
FRANCE 
Driver: Aristide La Fontaine
Car: Salmson 8C 1.1L
Specifications: WP: T7 B5 G4 C3 E2 H2
Player: Eric vdB, France
SWEDEN 
Driver: Rutger "Hajen" Hägglund
Car: Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3L S-8
Specifications: WP: T8 B4 G3 C2 E3 H3
Player: Johan P., Skåne, Sweden
BRITAIN 
Driver: John Milk
Car: Amilcar C6 1.1L S-4
Specifications: WP: T6 B3 G4 C3 E2 H2
Player: Ben T., England
FINLAND 
Driver: Tavho Myrsky
Car: Chrysler Special 6.3L "Rati"
Specifications: WP: T7 B5 G3 C3 E4 H2
Player: Michel M., France
SPAIN 
Driver: Teide "Volcán" Sorolla
Car: Bugatti T35B 2.3L S-8
Specifications: WP: T7 B2 G3 C2 E3 H4
Player: Stig Morten B., Kverneland, Norway
NORWAY 
Driver: Megane Omalie
Car: Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3L S-8
Specifications: WP: T7 B3 G3 C2 E3 H2
Player: Terence S., France
BELGIUM 
Driver: Victor Hugo Stéphane de Broqueville
Car: Bugatti T35B 2.3L S-8
Specifications: WP: T7 B2 G3 C3 E3 H3
Player: Thomas F., Leipzig, Germany
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