Grand Prix Cars to Return to Streets of Limerick Posted on July 26th, 2010
Vintage racing cars are set to return to the streets of Limerick as the city hosts a unique one day event on Sunday, August 1st 2010 to mark the 75th anniversary of the first Limerick Grand Prix.
The Limerick Classic and Vintage Car Club will hold the commemorative event to mark the special anniversary of the first Limerick Grand Prix believed to be the only street racing circuit outside of Monte Carlo which remains unchanged 75 years on.
The event will commemorate the events of August 5th 1935 when the Mayor of Limerick waved a historic tricolour to officially start Limerick’s “Round the Houses” Grand Prix. At the time the race would have been the equivalent of the present day Formula 1 races and attracted Grand Prix Teams and drivers from all over Europe as well as top Irish drivers of the time.
It was reported that the event was watched by fifty thousand people as the cars completed 55 highly competitive laps averaging speeds in excess of 60 MPH in their Alfa Romeos, MGs, Bugattis and Maseratis.
At the finish the first two cars were only separated by a mere seven seconds over the total 150 mile race.
“The first race was eventually won by Luis Fontes in his Alfa-Romeo,” explained Martin Burke, Limerick Classic and Vintage Car Club. “It was presumably followed by one of Fontes infamous after race parties which on one occasion involved balancing on a ledge four stories up with a girl on his shoulders! The race was held again in 1936 with participants such as renowned and accomplished race driver Prince Bira of Thailand in his ERA and Stanley Woods, famous motorcyclist taking part.”
Martin added:
“By 1938 however Limerick’s 2.76 mile street circuit was to host its last grand prix and it’s taken over 70 years for the streets to echo one more to the sound of thoroughbred race engines and we’re really excited about the commemorative event on August 1st.”
The commemorative event will take the form of a number of parade laps of the original circuit on Sunday, August 1st between 9:30 and 10:30am starting from Pery Square.
Over 20 grand prix and sports cars of the era including at least three of the original participating race cars will take part in a number of parade laps of the original circuit.
In the afternoon, from 3pm to 5pm the cars will return to Pery Square where there will also be a display of memorabilia, photographs and reports from the original race on display in the historic No 2 Pery Square, the beautifully restored Georgian House.
Eoghan Prendergast, Shannon Development’s Limerick Division Manager, said he was delighted that the Limerick Grand Prix will return to the streets of the city.
“Shannon Development is delighted to support this exciting new event which will enhance Limerick’s image as a fun filled City. Limerick and Monte Carlo are the only two cities in the world to have maintained their original Grand Prix routing which makes this event even more special. Visitors and locals will get a unique opportunity to enjoy these vintage cars and we would encourage everyone to come along and lend their support. This sporting event is also particularly timely in light of the recent news that Limerick has secured the prestigious title of EU City of Sport for 2011.”
The Limerick Classic and Vintage Car club will also host a display of Prestige and Performance cars in Pery Square.
The organisers intend the event to be a fitting tribute to those brave drivers of a bygone age who hurtled their cars through the tight bends and long straights of Irelands only remaining street circuit.
Once again the sound of thoroughbred race engines will be heard on the streets of Limerick as they commemorate this historic event.
ENDS
Further details can be obtained from the event website at www.limerickgrandprix.com
NOTE TO EDITOR:
For original film of the 1935 event: http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=52614
Background to the racetrack: http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/t4.htm
Link to 1935 Race Winner – Luis Fontes: http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/t4.htm
