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MONASTEREVIN CONTROL.
At 4.45 a.m., on Thursday the officials’ special trained[sic] steamed
into the station of Monasterevan, and soon the quiet of the town was disturbed
by a large throng of officials, pilot cyclists, and control stewards. The
arrangements for the management of the control were of the most complete
description, and practically nothing remained for the various officials
to do but to try and kill time during the four hours which were expected
to elapse before the first racer appeared. About half-past five a diversion
was created by the appearance of a brace of cars manned by the French and
German mechanicians, who proceeded to erect impromptu supply stations close
to the entrance to the control. Both stations contained great supplies
of petrol and a quantity of spare tyres. The tricolour floated over the
French station, while a huge piece of canvas with “Mercedes” painted
on it in huge characters served to indicate the location of the German
one. About 7 a.m., the inspection car came round, and was followed at intervals
of about twenty minutes by two pilot cars, the second of which dashed through
at a terrific pace.
The number of spectators at Monasterevan was not large, owing probably to the fact that a view of the racers was possible only over a very limited portion of the course.
Shortly before noon a pilot car went past with Surgeon Ormsby on board, and it subsequently transpired that Jarrott’s car had overturned at Stradbally Bridge. The driver escaped unhurt, but the chauffeur unfortunately dislocated his shoulder.
The Countess of Drogheda and a large party were interested spectators in the control during the day.