12 replies to this topic

[David McKinney]

Not in the same league as the Amiens and Orleans discussions going on at the moment, but after spending last weekend in and around Ballyclare I'm interested in finding a map (or description) of the course used for the Ulster Trophy races of 1937, 1946 and 1947
I've tried the obvious places without any luck
Can anyone help?

[alessandro silva]

I can help if you send me your e-mail. Not pm.

[David McKinney]

Thanks to Sandro, Adam F and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, I have now worked out where the 4-mile circuit went.
It was roughly triangular, and started just west of the Ballyrobert Crossroads on what is now the B59. The first mile was slightly downhill and more or less straight, with a right-hand kink at Ballypalady Bridge and on to a right-angled right-hander at Lindsay’s Corner. The stretch from there towards Ballyclare itself seems no longer to exist, having presumably been replaced - or at least bypassed - by the A57 (Antrim to Larne). It was a twisty undulating stretch which seems to have followed the Six Mile Water. A sharp right-hander just before Ballyclare led to the third leg, now the B56, climbing to a hairpin at the Ballyrobert Crossroads and back to the start.
We used the B56 to get from Ballyclare to the airport last Sunday without realising we were on a racing circuit :

[crozier74]

Can you post the image?

Think I've found it on Multimap, but would like to see the period map rather than the A8 etc. which have swamped the circuit.

[David McKinney]

I don't have an image I can post
However, don't worry about interference from the A8 -- the circuit's a couple of miles further west

[Coogar]

Drove round it recently.
If the local authorities - and the locals - were amenable, it could (almost) be used again now....Wide, smooth, and with minimal modern street furniture to get in the way.
I guess, in a modern car, it would have a lap average of 130mph plus.
I was, of course narrower and - in parts, twistier when it was used officially but, unlike many long-disused circuits, it could be raced on tomorrow......
I wish.....

[Tim Murray]

Originally posted by Coogar
I was, of course narrower . . .

I suspect this applies to quite a few of us.

[humphries]

David

Have dug out a map for the 4.142 mile Ballyclare circuit as used in 1937, 1946 and 1947. When I have mastered how to get the image from my webspace to the forum, or when my son visits, I'll post it up. The is no bridge on the circuit. The start was just after the last corner, Battersby's, and headed NE to Lindsay's Corner passing some place called Fortview. A right turn then heading NW passed Sandymount on the left and Lower Size Hill to the right to the hairpin called McAdoo's Corner. Then it was virtually south, with a railway line on the left, past Lisnalinchey Station to the crossroads, the right hand hairpin called Battersby's Corner.

John

[Barry Boor]

There MUST have been a pub at Battersby's Corner, surely?

[David McKinney]

I'm sure your circuit and mine are the same, John - only the names being changed to protect the innocent. The current Ordnance Survey map has no railway, nor all the names you mention. Ballypalady Bridge is a place, not a bridge

[humphries]

David



Finally, John
]

[David McKinney]

Thanks John
That accords with my conclusion. Battersby's Corner is at Ballyrobert Crossroads, and neither of the marked railway stations is in existence

[1172davec]

I am interested in finding out more about this circuit, the Ulster Trophy, entry lists, results, photographs etc. I believe the Ulster Trophy at Ballyclare was the first GP run in the United Kingdom after WW2. It therefore deserves a little bit of immortality!

I have mapped the circuit route with the intention of developing some sort of then and now photographic comparison. Has anyone got any pointers for some good sources for research/information?

Thanks in advance

Hi David I would like to here what u think about a commemorative rerun on the circut with period road registered sports cars? I have been working on this for some time and my plans are well under way with cars drivers and sponsership. I would also like to bring some cars that raced here back for the rerun. Regards Dave