KildareNet News

31 May 2003: Up to 90 cars took part in today's speed trails at the Moate of Ardscull, as part of a week of festivities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the original Gordon Bennett road race. They were organised by by Carlow and Kildare Motor Clubs.

The entrants ranged from a 1908 Napier driven by John Bentley of Harrogate to a modern Subaru Impreza owned by Richard Coleman of Bunclody. In between were many examples of vintage and veteran sports cars, from Hudson, Fiat, Riley, Lagonda, MG, Ford, Austin, Crossle, Sunbeam and Lotus, to mention just a few.

The N7 was closed in the area of the Moat, and the participants ran a route around the old burial mound that included the fomer main road.

Other similar events are taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend in Bagenalsatown, Co Carlow, and on the Heath, Portlaoise, both of which figured in the original race.

On Wednesday next, the commemorative rally proper leaves the premises of Motor Distributors on the Naas Road. MDL operates the Mercedes-Benz franchise in Ireland and sponsors the rally each year on the strength of the brand being the winner in the original race.

The Moate of Ardscull event today was very much a family day out, and the organisers had arranged Irish dancing in traditional costume by the St Laurence’s Set Dancers and Kilmeade Irish Figure Dancing Class.

Other events were scheduled to take place in Athy itself in the afternoon and evening, including a talk by Brendan Lynch on the Gordon Bennett Race, in Athy Heritage Centre.

Throughout the day, the Gordon Bennett Exhibition was open in Athy Heritage Centre, and there was a car Display by Ballinakill and Blessington, Motor Clubs.

For Barry Mulroy of Hampshire, with his 1930 Austin Heavy 12/4 Burnham Saloon (pictured above, and not taking part in the time trials) and his friend Brian Read from Oxfordshire with his 1926 Bullnose Morris (below), the centenary week is part of a three-week holiday through Ireland.

Brendan Keane of Foxrock (below) and his 1973 Crosle 25F was much more intent on the serious business of the day, with the help of Al Twomey and John Keane, busy making running repairs (below further below) to the car.

Jeff Edwards of Nottingham (above, getting an emergency pushstart) was racing a 1913 Lancia Simplex owned by John Brydon from Hawksworth, who was busy driving his 1904 CGV.

And for John Naylor of Carlow, it was his first competitive run in a recently-acquired 1963 Austin A40 Farina, which was set up for rallying in 1993 and has been very visible over the years in hillclimbs, under the guidance of Kevin Garvey of Gorey.

For those with an interest in cars of any age, and motorsport of many ages, it was the start of a weekend which promises much to reward them in nostalgia.

There's more of it here (pictures may be slow to load, but bear with it. It is worth it!).