Racing in Zurich - the Flying Kilometer in Altstetten-Schlieren
We have already reported on the "flying kilometer" (or kilometer lancé), which used to be extremely popular. Such an event was also held several times outside the gates of the Swiss metropolis of Zurich. An extensive four-page report on the 1926 event appeared in the Automobil Revue .
"Let's start by listening briefly to the Automobil Revue reporter, who describes the ambience of the event in the following words:
"Two o'clock has been announced for the start of the race, which, as in the previous year, will take place on the industrial road between Altstetten and Schlieren, which is almost ideal for such a competition. But the exodus to the scene of the competition begins long before then, a clear indication of the popularity of motor racing among the people of Zurich. A crowd numbering in the thousands gathers behind the wire fence on both sides of the track. And if the press hadn't been so obliging as to reserve us seats in the 700-seat grandstand at the Juchhof, it would have been difficult to get a place there. By the way: the ladies are very well represented and the numerous elegant toilets give the whole thing a distinguished touch."
The Industriestrasse described was Bernerstrasse, which still connects Zurich-Altstetten with Schlieren today.
The event was obviously well organized, with loudspeakers not only broadcasting the results and times, but also music. However, the music from the engines proved to be significantly stronger and often completely drowned out the soft sounds of the 'old guard', as the reporter was able to tell. All kinds of celebrities gathered on the racecourse: government councillors, city councillors, police commanders, members of the Council of States, governors, airport directors, etc., etc.
In addition to the contemporary vehicles, vintage cars also competed, even if they were not yet called that. An Oldsmobile from 1902 was described as a "true museum piece", which came puffing along in a deliberate, unhurried and antiquated manner ... and recorded the slowest speed of the day at 25.325 km/h.
The fastest touring car was the Packard of W. Risch from Zurich, which still managed 128.571 km/h. In the sports car category, L. Thoms in a Bugatti came out on top with an average speed of 138.462 km/h.
To report on the racing highlight of the day, we let the Automobil Revue correspondent have his say once again:
"Higher and higher the tension has risen in the meantime: The racing cars are due. And Escher is already howling along on his little single-seater Bugatti compressor. But, as in Geneva, he falls short of his performance in the sports cars, although this time he gets 10 km more out of his vehicle. And again a distant buzzing that rapidly grows to a roar - a red something races past at an oppressive speed - crash! Once again, the example of Merz shooting through the finish line in his Bugatti is repeated. But he is not quite able to match Kracht, whose average is 155.172 km.
However, the big sensation is still to come: Kessler in the Alfa Romeo that Campari drove at last year's Italian Grand Prix. And Alfa Romeo delivers what you would expect from a world champion: 20.8 seconds for the outward journey, 21.4 seconds for the return journey! That corresponds to an hourly average of 170.616 km. This beats the record of 162.1 km set by Kracht last year."
Over 170 km/h - an impressive average speed on what was then an unpaved road, on which today it is only permitted to drive at 60 km/h.
But it's not just the top performances that are impressive, it's also worth taking a look at the rankings , where brands appear that have long since been forgotten: Mathis, Ceirano, Ansaldo, Martini, Marmon, Derby, Rally, Salmson, Diatto, Chiribiri (in the sports and racing car category!) are listed alongside the better-known Bugatti (13x), Talbot, Lancia, Buick, Packard, Ford, Mercedes, Chrysler, Lorraine-Dietrich, Auburn, Hispano-Suiza, Delage, Fiat, Sunbeam and, of course, Alfa Romeo.
Incidentally, the fastest lady on that day in 1926 was Miss P. W. Thoms, who clocked an average speed of 135.338 km/h in her Bugatti. The winner of the special prize, which was awarded to the fastest car of Swiss design, was Monnard in a new Martini six-cylinder.
