The Race
AT BALLYSHANNON.
THE RESULTS.
(Special Telegram from the Starting Point.)
The day of the great Motor Race was ushered in with brilliant
weather. We drove to the course in the small hours of Thursday
morning under a kindly sky tinged with the beauteous hues of
the dawn. Early as the hour was - a.m. - the road to Ballyshannon
swarmed with vehicles and conveyances of all descriptions, from
the imperious motor with its commanding faugh-a-ballagh snort,
to the humble cycle accomplishing with comparative tardiness
its race through "the sleepless watches." There were
numerous pedestrians, and every passing motor called forth the
pop of an inquisitive head from the wayside cottages. Kilcullen,
and the approaches to Ballyshannon presented a scene of animation.
If the other approaches to the course were as thickly beset
with pleasure seekers quite a mammoth crowd must have witnessed
the historic contest. So far as the Grand Stand and its enclosure
were concerned, be it said at once that the attendance was on
the sparse side, and not at all commensurate with the notability
of the event. The private stands in Ballyshannon vicinity were
rather poorly patronised, the Kilrush "Motor News"
stand accommodating hardly more than 25 persons. For the site
upon which this stand was erected a sum of £80 is said
to have been paid!
The brilliant promise of the morning was not kept. By noon clouds
gathered and there was threatening thunder and vivid discharges
of lightning. The electrical disturbance passed off quickly,
but soon after came on an irritating rainfall, which continued
with slight intermissions to the close of the race, making matters
most unpleasant for the sightseers.
The Press discharged their onerous duties under difficulties
which cannot be exaggerated. The "Press Steward" seemed
to be a myth of the official imagination, and the representatives
of the various newspapers had to obtain information as best
they could on their own resources. The telegraphic arrangements
were, however, admirable and too much praise cannot be given
to the efficiency of staff and instruments. Individually the
officials, from the courteous Secretary, Mr. Orde, downwards,
did their best to facilitate the Press, and submitted willingly
to the bothersome personal enquiries which the scandalous defects
in the Press arrangements rendered necessary.
Punctually at 7 o'clock the first car - a green Napier driven
by Mr. S. F. Edge - was started on its journey, and received
a hearty send-off. The start was rather on the slow side. Then
at intervals of 7 minutes, in strict adherence to the programme,
followed the cars of (2) the Chevalier de Knyff (France); (3)
Owen (America), on a Winton car; (4) Jenatzy (German), on a
Mercedes; (5) Jarrott (Great Britain),5
on a Napier; (6) Gabriel (France), on a Mors; (7) Mooers (America),
on a Peerless car; (8) Baron de Caters (Germany), on a Mercedes;
(9) Stocks (Great Britain), on a Napier; (10) Farman (France),
on a Panhard; and (12) Foxhall Keene (Germany), on a Mercedes.
The Winton car No 11 on the starter's list, failed to start
at its time 8.10 o'clock, owing to the carburreter[sic]6 getting
choked, and it lost 40 minutes in getting into order - leaving
Ballyshannon at 8.50.
The following table shows conveniently at a glance the times
of starting, cars, names, etc.:- 7
| Time of Starting |
No |
Country. |
Colour. |
Make of Car. |
Driver |
| A.M. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 7.0 |
1 |
Gt. Britain & Ireland |
Green |
Napier |
Mr. Edge. |
| 7.7 |
2 |
France |
Blue |
Panhard |
Chevalier de Knyff. |
| 7.14 |
3 |
U.S.A. |
Red |
Winton |
Mr. Winton |
| 7.21 |
4 |
Germany |
White |
Mercedes |
M. Jenatzy. |
| 7.28 |
5 |
Gt. Britain & Ireland |
Green |
Napier |
Mr. Jarrott. |
| 7.35 |
6 |
France |
Blue |
Panhard |
Mons. Gabriel. |
| 7.42 |
7 |
U.S.A. |
Red |
Winton |
Mr. Moers. |
| 7.49 |
8 |
Germany |
White |
Mercedes |
Baron de Caters. |
| 7.56 |
9 |
Gt. Britain & Ireland |
Green |
Napier |
Mr. Stocks. |
| 8.3 |
10 |
France |
Blue |
Panhard |
Mr. Farman. |
| 8.10 |
11 |
U.S.A. |
Red |
Winton |
Mr. Owen. |
| 8.17 |
12 |
Germany |
White |
Mercedes |
Mr. Foxhall Keane. |
Foxhall Keane's car had just been sent on
its journey six minutes when Edge's return was signalled, and
in a moment or two his car dashed past with a steady hum, which
betokened an immense speed. As he tore past the Grand Stand
he was loudly cheered, and went on for the circuit of the larger
loop, having only been on view for a few seconds before the
dust swallowed up himself and his car. Three minutes and a half
later De Knyff went along in good form, and then
