- Rolls-Royce celebrates the 110th anniversary of its impressive win at the first-ever Spanish Grand Prix on June 15, 1913
- At the race, Silver Ghosts secured first and third places, conquering the challenging terrain north of Madrid
- Victory was achieved through team tactics and personal sacrifices, with Don Carlos de Salamanca, Rolls-Royce’s new agent in Spain, taking first place, and Eric Platford, a dedicated engineer, claiming third place
- This early achievement highlights Rolls-Royce’s dedication to excellence, inspiring greatness in its owners and staff
“Rolls-Royce’s dominance in long-distance trials in the early 20th century is well-known. However, motor racing, particularly in Europe, also played a crucial role in establishing the brand’s reputation for performance and reliability. Today, we reflect on the Silver Ghost’s victory at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix on June 15, 1913, which was not only a triumph of Henry Royce’s technology but also a testament to team spirit and self-sacrifice.”
– Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Today, Rolls-Royce commemorates the 110th anniversary of the 1913 Spanish Grand Prix, where Silver Ghosts claimed first and third places. This technical and strategic triumph set the stage for the legendary victory at the 1913 Alpenfahrt a few weeks later.
This victory was built upon three key elements: the superior engineering and performance of the Silver Ghost, meticulous team tactics, and the selflessness of one of Rolls-Royce’s most dedicated employees.
RACING AHEAD
In the early 20th century, endurance trials served as the primary platform for motor manufacturers, including luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, to showcase the capabilities of their cars. Rolls-Royce had an outstanding record in these grueling tests, having excelled in renowned events such as the 15,000-mile Scottish Reliability Trial in 1907 and the famous London to Edinburgh run in 1911, completed entirely in top gear.
During this period, motor racing was also rapidly evolving in terms of sophistication and popularity. In 1906, France hosted its first Grand Prix, sanctioned by the Automobile Club de France, of which Charles Stewart Rolls, a successful pioneer in motor racing, had been a member since the age of 18.
While the company generally favored trials over racing, by 1913, three years after Rolls’ untimely death, managing director Claude Johnson recognized the importance of boosting European sales and saw continental racing as a valuable promotional opportunity.
Consequently, Rolls-Royce entered two Silver Ghosts in the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix on June 15, 1913.
HIGH ENDEAVORS
The Spanish Grand Prix appealed to Rolls-Royce because it tested endurance and reliability, areas where the Silver Ghost excelled, rather than just raw speed.
The 192-mile course consisted of three laps, including two challenging passes in the rugged Guadarrama mountains northwest of Madrid. The race exclusively featured four-seater touring cars, required to have mudguards, lamps, hoods, and two spare tires. Bonnets were sealed, and no water could be added to the radiator once the race began, despite temperatures exceeding 30°C at the start in La Granja.
Among the 17 starters were two modified Silver Ghosts. The first was owned and driven by Don Carlos de Salamanca y Hurtado de Zaldivar, the newly appointed Rolls-Royce agent in Madrid, against the company’s wishes. The second was a Silver Ghost belonging to the company and driven by Eric Platford, one of Rolls-Royce’s most experienced and devoted engineers, responsible for many of the marque’s previous triumphs in trials.
STRATEGY AND SACRIFICE
Three hours into the race, Platford had established a commanding lead of over 20 minutes. However, this endeavor was not solely a sporting challenge but a shrewd business decision. Following strict instructions, Platford selflessly allowed Don Carlos de Salamanca to overtake him, prioritizing the company’s commercial goals over personal ambitions. Salamanca went on to win Spain’s first Grand Prix in a time of 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 12 seconds, with an average speed of 54 mph.
Unfortunately for Platford, his sacrifice also paved the way for another competitor, the Marqués de Aulencia in a Lorraine-Dietrich, who claimed second place, a mere three minutes ahead of him — a narrow margin during an era when races could be won or lost by hours.
JUST REWARDS
However, Platford’s selflessness did not go unnoticed. After the race, he drove his car to Madrid, where he received a congratulatory telegram from Claude Johnson. He was later rewarded with a holiday in Venice, partly as a gift and partly to escape the attention of the press. Additionally, he received two gold watches as compensation: one from the Rolls-Royce directors and the other from an appreciative Don Carlos de Salamanca.
ON TO THE ALPENFAHRT
The victory at the 1913 Spanish Grand Prix preceded the challenging 1,600-mile Alpenfahrt, a trial through the Alps, by just one week. As team manager, Platford led the Rolls-Royce Works Team to a clean sweep of the top four places, solidifying the Silver Ghost’s reputation as the “best car in the world.” Platford’s team spirit, dedication, selflessness, courage, and relentless pursuit of excellence epitomized the ethos of Inspiring Greatness, which continues to resonate at the core of the Rolls-Royce brand today.
