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Drivers of vintage vehicles are still
serious competitors
CLASSIC CARS: The Delage car dating from 1910 is among those visiting the island.
SOME of the cars taking part in this year’s Manx Classic car rally may have passed their 100th birthday, but that doesn’t stop them being driven with just as much spirit as in the Edwardian era when they first competed.
Far from opting for a geriatric chug around the sections, Shely Bryan of organisers the Manx Motor Racing club insists the drivers are still serious competitors.
A breathtaking array of vehicles dating from 1909 to the present day is lined up to take part in the Celton Manx-sponsored event which this year runs from Thursday to Saturday.
A total of seven cars date from the Edwardian (1905-18) era and will take part in all sections of the event as well as being at the Grandstand where people can get a close up view on Thursday afternoon and evening.
Among the famous marques taking part are such well-known names as Bugatti, Bentley, Delage, Porsche, Ferrari, Sunbeam and Riley, alongside a number of ever-popular Ford Escorts, MGs and Austin Minis, as well as a good contingent of Caterham sports cars.
Shely, the club’s secretary, said: ‘It really will be something to see these cars taking part in a competitive event on Manx roads.
‘And I’m sure the link between this era of cars and the very beginning of the original (car) Tourist Trophy on the island in 1905 as well as the beginning of it all with the Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trails the previous year will be of interest.’
The event is a three-day sprint and hillclimb event for classic and sports cars, in which local and UK competitors compete for the fastest time of the day in vehicles, dating from 1909 to the present day.
Mrs Bryan added the club was delighted the Manx Heritage Foundation had agreed to give a trophy for the winner of the Edwardian class, recognising the island’s unique motorsport heritage.
The cars are driven competitively and have competed in many hillclimb events in the UK and Europe and have also taken part in Gordon Bennett Centenary events in Europe.
The event kicks off on Thursday, April 28, with the Governor’s Sprint. Roads close midday to 3pm and then 6pm to 9.30pm.
The section starts from the TT Grandstand on Glencrutchery Road, travelling through Governor’s Dip to finish on the A18 Mountain Road, at The Nook on the old TT course, near to West Drive.
This is followed on Friday by the Sloc section. Roads close at 9.15am until 4.30pm.
Cars will travel along a section of the A36 Sloc Road, north of Port Erin and south of the Round Table.
Rounding off the event on Saturday, April 30, is Lhergy Frissell. Roads close 9.15am until 4.15pm.
The section runs from Barrule Park, out of Ramsey on the TT Course, taking in Ramsey Hairpin, Waterworks and the Gooseneck before heading out towards Guthrie’s Memorial.
Among the seven Edwardian cars taking part will be a 1909 Riley two litre V-twin. This is the most original of the cars and the owners believe it has never been restored.
One of the smaller engined cars is a 1500cc Delage R-type voiturette dating from 1910. The car was bought as an unfinished project in New Zealand and completed in 2009. Its engine had been used to power a saw bench since the 1920s.
A new trophy is to be awarded by the Manx Motor Racing Club at this year’s event.
The award, supported by the Manx Heritage Foundation, is for the fastest car in the club’s newly-created Edwardian Class.
Thanking the foundation for supporting the class and supplying the new trophy, the club’s chairman Bob Riding said: ‘It will be a wonderful sight and sound to see these century old cars driven competitively on Manx roads.
‘The island has a unique motorsport history which began with cars of this era, and I’m delighted to welcome these competitors to our event.’
The 1904 Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial held in the Isle of Man was a starting point for motorsport, leading in 1905 to the cars’ Tourist Trophy races.
From 1907 the TT became a motorcycle event but the car Tourist Trophy races are still held each year at Silverstone in Northamptonshire.
Charles Guard of Manx National Heritage said: ‘The Isle of Man really was at the forefront of establishing motorsport events in Great Britain.
‘The Foundation is aware of the interest generated by the island’s motorsport history and working with the Manx Motor Racing Club provides an opportunity to publicise that unique heritage further.’
Road closure information is available at www.manxmotorracing.com/roads.htm
To find out more information about the Manx Classic 2011 event visit www.manxmotorracing.com/index.htm
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Weather for Isle of Man
Thursday 23 February 2012
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