|
Start of the eighth
lap, the pits show:
VAR
CAR 13
So I have made up seven of the 20 seconds. Varzi will also have to
stop sometime.
Eighth lap: the long
straight along the sea. A shock through the ear. I cannot see it but the tread is off one
of the rear wheels. I can still control the car but I must reduce speed. A white car
rushes by - Stuck or Fagioli, I do not know which.
Only now am I beginning
to realize how hot it is. My overalls are sticking to me and my lips are dry and cracking.
Must stop at the pits. Neubauer bellows like a bull and gesticulates wildly. I cannot hear
what it is all about.
They change all four
wheels and put in fresh fuel. It takes one minute and ten seconds. Eight cars whiz by in
the meantime. I have dropped back to tenth place. I feel everything vibrating within me. A
mechanic yells into my ear that others are also bound to have tire troubles. Neubauer
stands there and frowns at his watches.
One minute ten seconds.
As I leave the pits a whit car passes me to enter the bend - Varzi in the Auto Union. He
has now lapped me and leads the field. His lead is almost unassailable; things are really
hopeless. If I continue it is only for the sake of works prestige. I get on the tail of
Varzi and catch him up. But what's the good of it?
The heat is awful. My
head drums, my tongue feels like dried leather. Thirst...thirst...and all hope is gone.
I did not think it
would be like this! I really thought that this time fate would give me a clear reply. And
now I have to drop back because of this stupid tire trouble. The leg is alright. It is
even good, only sometimes there is a little pain in the pelvic region. But it is hardly
worth bothering about, the thirst is much worse. |
