The Race
KILDARE AND THE CURRAGH.
The Curragh platform and Kildare being the points of railway
communication which afforded the most ready means of approach
to the northern and western points of vantage of the course,
the number of persons who detrained at these points from the
early special trains was enormous. The scene at Kildare on the
arrival of the first special, which conveyed about 2,000 passengers,
was a most extraordinary one. All kinds and classes of vehicles
were lined along the way from the station right up to the Market
Square to convey the spectators to their various places of rendezvous
along the course. At the inward control there was also a scene
of bustle, as this had been fixed on as a petrol station for
the Mors and Panhard cars, and also for the Napier cars. The
representatives of these companies were early astir and were
in a state of preparedness long before the hour for the starting
of the race. The early morning was clear but cold, and this
coldness increased as the morning advanced, with the result
that very few spectators were in the vicinity of the Kildare
control until the time drew near at which it had been approximately
fixed that the leading car would reach this control.
Winton's arrival at the control, and his approach to it, was
the fastest witnessed during the whole race, and in rounding
the corner into the control it was only by his marvellous dexterity
that an accident was averted, as his car skidded when rounding
the corner, and rose high into the air. It was only after a
series of jumps that the car righted itself again in obedience
to his steady hand and excellent steering.
Towards one o'clock there were sounds of distant thunder, and
shortly afterwards a heavy shower fell, which lasted for a considerable
time. The interest had somewhat evaporated with the finish of
the second round, as it was seen that the Americans were completely
out of the race, and Edge was thought to be too far behind to
make any show. During the passage of the cars through the control
in the fourth round
A SLIGHT ACCIDENT
took place. After de Knyff had passed the Market Square on his
way to the outward control, a little boy named Sheridan ran
into the middle of the roadway to look after the car. Jenatzy,
who was coming close at the time, tried to keep clear, but,
the car was too close to steer clear, and the boy was struck
by the guard of Jenatzy's car. He was knocked down and severely
shaken, and was at once removed to the local infirmary.
In this neighbourhood the finest view was undoubtedly to be
obtained at the Curragh heath. Here one had an uninterrupted
view of the course for four miles, dead, straight, and level,
and along this the pace of the cars was at times appalling.
The policing of the course along this stretch was done by the
military stationed at the Curragh Camp, under Captain Holland.
The other parts of the course were patrolled by members of the
R.I.C. All the arrangements seemed to work harmoniously, with
the exception of the "privileges" afforded to the
Press, which were nil. It was by a continual wrangle with the
police that the Press were able to get into a position to obtain
any information whatever. During the progress of the race several
unsuccessful attempts were made to cross the course at the Curragh,
and at least one arrest was made for trespass on the course
there.