YACCO, l'huile des records

 

Yacco oils had always been at the leading edge of technology and the company was already present in many races when it joined forces with Citroën to take up the challenge and take over new speed records. After quite satisfactory results in 1931 with the C6G and C6F cars, Yacco and André Citroën decided to set up a new promotional operation to advertise their products. An 8CV chassis was taken at random from the JAVEL factory and was sent to César Marchand, the chief driver, to be specially prepared.

 

At the beginning of March the car was ready. On March 15^th, at 3.29 pm, The 8, soon nicknamed Petite Rosalie, was launched on the Montlhéry banking. Its average speed was satisfactory, due to its aerodynamic body. Five ACF officials and eight timekeepers kept a close eye on the operations. After some stops, due to the ACF Grand Prix and the Women Grand Prix taking place on the same track, André Citroën waved the checkered flag to stop the Petite Rosalie on July 27^TH. The Petite Rosalie had covered 300.000 km in 134 days at an average speed of more than 93 km/h. It had beaten 106 world records and 191 International records.

A whole string of Rosalie followed to improve these results. After the first records set by Rosalie I and Rosalie II, André Citroën offered 1 million francs to any manufacturer who could beat his cars. After the achievements of Rosalie IV, André Citroën even offered 3 millions francs. But nobody even tried to beat this record.

Comments

[Charles Morlham]

I have just finished reading a fascinating book called "Montlhery - The Story of the Paris Autodrome" written by William 'Bill' Boddy and published by Veloce Publishing. Details available on This details the history of the Aotodrome from start to finish. Recommended reading!!