One of racing history's footnotes is the Cork Grand Prix. Although held only three times, from 1936 to 1938, it was a huge success, the last race on the roads of Cork in the Irish Republic drawing some 70,000 spectators. Only too bad it was held just seven days after the first Championship race at Pau in France. Due to the new regulations that year this short interval put so much pressure on the Mercedes and Auto Union teams that they were unable to attend. There were two races on the Friday one which was won by Prince Bira of Siam, driving an ERA. The main race, over 200 miles, was won by Rene Dreyfus of France in a 4500cc Delahaye, with Prince Bira second this time in a 2992cc Maserati.
Many of the cars that took part in the 1930's races are still in use in the historic motor racing scene, some are in Ireland but many are in the UK, Europe and America. Also the circuit for the 1930's Cork Motor Races is still mostly intact, which is a very good reason for organizing a re-run of the 1938 Cork Grand Prix. This will take place on Sunday 23rd June 2013 with many pre-1950 sports and race cars driving three laps of the circuit, after which the cars will be on display for the remainder of the morning.
(black & white pictures courtesy Irish Examiner)
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