7 replies to this topic

[Peter Morley]

Just found the following - a chance to race 50's cars on 7 miles of public roads, next year!

HISTORIC MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL

Turning back the years to the golden era of motorsport is the theme of the first ever Dundrod TT Motorsport Festival planned for next year.

The four-day Festival, organised to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the last TT Races held at Dundrod will take place from Wednesday 15th June 2005.

The climax to the festival will be a Sprint Race of historic sports cars on Saturday 18th June. The Sprint will showcase sports cars from the 1950s, recreating the heydays when the RAC Tourist Trophy was organised at the Dundrod Circuit.

Spectators will also have the opportunity to see historic sports cars, including grand prix cars, which have never before been seen in Northern Ireland

Organised by the Ulster Automobile Club with support from Lisburn City Council, the circuit at Dundrod is the only circuit in Europe to remain almost entirely unchanged since the glory days of road racing.

Competitors will be encouraged to take part in static and mobile display laps in the days preceding the Dundrod Sprint.

Entries are being sought from owners with appropriate Sports Racing Cars from the 1950/1955 eras. Drivers who may have participated in past Dundrod TT Races will be made very welcome, even if they do not wish to compete.

More details about the event will be made available at the Official launch of the Festival in the New Year.

Anyone interested in taking part in the event as a competitor or marshall should contact:

Ulster Automobile Club Ltd., 29 Shore Road, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 9HX, N. Ireland. Phone: ( 09.30 – 13.00 00 44 ( 0 ) 28 90 426262 FAX: 00 44 ( 0 ) 28 90 421818.
Email: office@ulsterac.dircon.co.uk
Website: ulsterac.dircon.co.uk

The Dundrod Circuit was first used as a motor racing venue in 1950. It was used by the UAC for car racing (The TT and Ulster Trophy Series) until 1955 and has been in constant use for motorcycle racing including the Ulster Grand Prix for the last 50 years

[Rob29]

Wow! Thanks for that Peter. Will put that weekend in my diary.

[Coogar]

And....There's a BRDC Historic Sports Car rounf (actually two) scheduled for Kirkistown just a couple of weeks before. Kirkistown is just 30 miles from Dundrod.
I mention this just in passing...............
But I'm sure we could find somewhere to (safely) store any cars which were on this side of the Irish Sea for both.............

[Peter Morley]

That's pretty good timing.

Our Cooper MG (KOY 500), that took part in the 1953 TT, is unlikely to be ready for this event so at the moment we are looking at taking the 1955 Connaught F1 (unless of course Top Gear are kind enough to restore the Lotus 10, and do so in time!).

I guess there isn't an event at Kirkistown for the Connaught?

[Coogar]

I'll think of something............

[Séamas M.]

Historic Formule Libre????

[Coogar]

Good idea ! Can we find some more ?

[Peter Morley]

Might be an idea to talk to the Dundrod organisers and get them to tell anyone that is interested about the possibility of doing both events.

And even better if you could talk to someone like Sealink to see if they'll offer a deal on the ferry ticket (when we did Phoenix park they offered free tickets, in return for some sponsorship space).

This reminds me I really should contact them and offer something from our motley collection!