6 replies to this topic

[Moyletra]

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

[Vitesse2]

The 1937 race seems to be rather under-documented - there are very brief reports in Billy McMaster's "History of Motorsport in Ireland" and Brendan Lynch's "Green Dust". McMaster also covers the later events. Prince Chula's "Blue and Yellow" has a description of 1946.

The specialist press like Autocar and Motor provided quite comprehensive reports on the post-War races, mainly because they had very little other home racing to cover.

Paging Squire Straker .....;)

[Richard Young]

I have driven the circuit recently and can report that it is renarkably unaltered since it was last used.
That is to say the area hasn't been developed or 'improved' very much. However the surface is excellent. Only the main road leg has been significantly upgraded and it could be raced on tomorrow if the necessary permissions could be obtained.
The Ulster Automobile Club holds quite a lot of info on the actual races.

[David McKinney]

There might be something of interest here
http://forums.autosp...ight=ballyclare

[Moyletra]

Thanks Vitesse2, Richard, David for your help

I'm developing a list of potential information resources:

Newtownabbey Borough Council

UAC

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Newspapers:
- Newsletter
- Belfast Telegraph
- Ballyclare Gazette
- Newtownabbey Times

Periodicals:
- Autocar
- Motor
- Autosport
- Motor Sport

Books:
- History of Motorsport in Ireland, Billy McMaster
- Green Dust, Brendan Lynch
- Blue and Yellow, Prince Chula

This whole idea was a bit spur of the moment - motor racing bores, beer, interest in gadgets etc. So I really need to scope out the project before I move forward.

The aspiration is to collect all the detail (entry lists, results, photographs) and then dump it onto Wikipedia or give it to the local council, Ballyclare library, local schools etc. I'm also toying with the idea of doing an early morning video of the route in and around August (hopefully a bit like "Rendezvous" if I can get a suitable period engine recording).

If you have any other ideas or suggestions I'd be very happy to incorporate them - as i said it's all really still a bit "Eureka in the bath" at the minute.

Again thanks for all your help so far.

[Vitesse2]

The RIAC Archive would probably be a good place to start

[Moyletra]

Thanks - added to the to do list. It's a pity the 5 Nations is over - this would have been a good excuse for an extended weekend.


Research List

Newtownabbey Borough Council

RIAC Archive
UAC

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Newspapers:
- Newsletter
- Belfast Telegraph
- Ballyclare Gazette
- Newtownabbey Times

Periodicals:
- Autocar
- Motor
- Autosport
- Motor Sport

Books:
- History of Motorsport in Ireland, Billy McMaster
- Green Dust, Brendan Lynch
- Blue and Yellow, Prince Chula