Victories in the Spanish and Italian GPs established Chiron’s reputation as a front-runner.
And in 1931 he scored a ‘home’ win around the streets of Monte Carlo. The tight, confined track really suits his style.
For 1933 Chiron and his good friend, Rudolph Caracciola, found themselves without drives. They acquired Alfa Romeo Monzas and set up as privateers.
1934 French GP, Montlhéry - Chiron’s most celebrated victory was achieved aboard Enzo Ferrari’s Alfa Tipo B, thanks in part to one of racing’s most outrageous false starts. He came from the third row to lead before the flag even dropped!
Scuderia CC was short lived. Caracciola’s brakes failed during practice for the team’s debut at Monaco, the German suffering lasting damage to his legs. Chiron would see out the season with some positive results, before moving to Scuderia Ferrari for the following year.
Despite these antics he scored a remarkable result. With backing from the Third Reich, the technically advanced cars of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union were making their debuts at this event and victory for an outdated Alfa Romeo was unexpected.
The move was not a success. Auto Union had the edge and Chiron suffered a heavy crash at the German GP.
Chiron was in active service again during WWII. He secured his way to Switzerland and helped smuggle downed allied airmen back to Britain.
His career went into decline and Mercedes released him from his contract. In 1939 he retired to Monaco. Germany’s ‘Silver Arrows’ would quickly come to dominate on the circuits of Europe and beyond. Largely at the insistence of Caracciola, Chiron was offered a drive with Mercedes for 1936.
He lined his Talbot up for France’s first post-war race and was approaching 50 when he won the GP de France.
Monaco GP, 1955 - Fittingly his final race was on home ground.
Alice Hoffman finally tired of Chiron’s reluctance to marry and instead accepted an offer from the recently widowed Caracciola.
By the end of The War Chiron was 45 years old, but that didn’t stop him joining several of the old guard, determined to revive their racing careers.
Following his retirement, Chiron became race director for the Monaco Grand Prix and saw out his years as one of the principality’s most celebrated residents.
Sixth place in a Lancia D50 brings Chiron’s remarkably long and illustrious career to an end.
And at the tender age of 55, Louis Chiron also won the coveted Monte Carlo Rally.
Louis Chiron died in June 1979. His statue has pride of place on the Monaco harbour front.
Next Month
Mike Hailwood september 2013
CartoonChiron SA.indd 2
www.motorsportmagazine.com 117
23/07/2013 14:00