Gordon Bennett Race

Gordon Bennett route sign.
[ photo: County Museum. ]

Carlow played an important early role in the development of motor sport when in June 1903 the Gordon Bennett Race was staged in counties Carlow, Kildare and Laois. It was the first time that an international motor race was held on a closed circuit. The man behind the race was the famous American media media tycoon James Gordon Bennett. The 1902 race was won by British driver Selwyn F. Edge but due to British motoring laws such a race could not take place there and therefore the race was moved to Ireland. France, Germany, U.S.A. and Great Britain entered cars in the race.

The race was won by Camille Jenatxy driving a Mercedes for Germany in a time of six hours and thirty nine minutes and averaging a speed of forty nine miles per hour. This after he had already driven the car across Germany and France and “…cross to Dublin on the Ferdinand de Lesseps, the liner which the French team had chartered…”. “The engine of his car was originally a 60 horse power. It has now been altered to give over 80 horse power, but the frame being small, the car is a very useful one over winding roads, and for a race in which speed will vary considerably.” Nationalist and Leinster Times, June 27th 1903.

The event required substantial organisation no less with regard to stewarding of the event! According to the local newspaper the Nationalist and Leinster Times of July 4th 1903 the Chief Secretary of Ireland Mr Wyndham was asked in the British Parliament if it “had obtained a guarantee from the promoters of the Gordon Bennett Race for the expense of extra police over the sum of £1,000…?”. In response Mr. Wyndham said none had been obtained and “ ..it was difficult to state exactly at this moment what arrangements would be made as regards these charges, seeing that so many private bodies were involved…”.

Local traders prepare for the tourist boom. Advert from the Nationalist and Leinster Times, June 27th 1903.
[ photo: County Museum. ]

The arrival of such an event brought many international visitors to Ireland and to Carlow. Local traders didn’t lose the opportunity to “cash in” on this potential bonus with many advertising in the local papers with specific reference to the race and its spectators.

Bargains to be had in Tullow. Advert from the Nationalist and Leinster Times, June 27th 1903.
[ photo: County Museum. ]

The entire route has recently been specially sign posted and an accompanying brochure " Drive the historic Gordon Bennett Route " is available from the Tourist Offices in Carlow, Kildare and Laois while further details are contained on the Gordon Bennett Route website.