IOM to see vintage racers next year
100 year anniversary of TT for cars to be re-enacted
The Isle of Man is planning to commemorate the first RAC TT Race for Cars with a glittering programme of events in September 2005.
The first international race was held in September 1905 with cars setting off from Alexander Drive, Douglas, on a 52-mile course. On September 10 next year, the island will salute those pioneers with a re-enactment lap of the course to be driven by an array of cars dating from 1905 to 1922.
The centenary plan has won the support of the prestigious Royal Automobile Club, organisers of the very first race. As a result, the Club has agreed to allow the original tourist trophy to be displayed on the Island during the 2005 programme, which is being put together by Douglas-based F.A.D. International.
The company organised smaller celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary of the race 10 years ago on behalf of sponsors, Flemings Bank.
FAD’s Brian Adams explained: ‘The first Tourist Trophy Race for Cars, staged on the Isle of Man in September 1905 was a remarkable moment in history. It was adventurous, exciting and, for many who witnessed it, spellbinding. It was the first event of its kind in the world. And it paved the way for the development of one of the milestone inventions of all time.
‘Cars are being sourced from that inspirational era between 1905 and 1922 when the race was held on the Isle of Man. Drivers and passengers will be invited to wear period costume and we hope they will be joined by street actors to help create a festival atmosphere worthy of the centenary.’
For example, a 1906 Fiat (top right), originally owned by the McCullogh family of Omagh in Northern Ireland, was acquired by John Brydon in 1986 for restoration. It is believed to be the sole survivor of the 10 cars built by Fiat to qualify for entry in the Targa Florio of 1907, and is expected to take part in the Centenary re-enactment.
Also, Michael Bell of Ramsey in the Isle of Man is the proud owner of the 1906 two-seater, seven horsepower Stuart (bottom right), believed to be the only one of its kind still in existence. Mr Bell plans to drive it in the Tourist Trophy Centenary re-enactment over one 52-mile lap of the original course.
It is against this background that the Isle of Man will draw on its unique motoring heritage and celebrate in style from 7-12 September next year. As well as the main re-enactment on the Saturday (September 10, 2005), the organisers are hoping to present a unique assembly of ‘TT Heroes’ representative winning cars from 1922 onwards, through the years when the Tourist Trophy earned the description of Britain’s greatest motor race.
An Old Time Music Hall show, looking and sounding as it would 100 years ago, will be staged at the Gaiety, the island’s celebrated Matcham theatre.
Speed Trials are planned, and a Gala Charity Dinner with invited celebrities from the world of motorsport will round off the programme. In between, a centenary Championship Golf Tournament will be played at the Island’s famous Castletown links.
Adams went on: ‘It will be a celebration steeped in atmosphere, enriched by the evocative sights and sounds of automobiles spanning the years, reflecting the full spectrum of engineering and design capabilities. Selected car clubs have been invited to send around 50 cars each to witness the celebrations and enjoy the centenary programme.'
The Porsche Club of Great Britain, which has staged two national events involving hundreds of its members on the Isle of Man in the past four years, is one of the invited clubs. Chairman David Newton said: ‘The significance of the first race of its kind in the world and the role played by the Isle of Man in making that historic event possible, cannot be over-estimated.
‘We are honoured to be invited to attend and delighted that our marque, which has played its own definitive part in the development of supremely engineered cars, will be represented at what is clearly going to be a unique and memorable celebration.’
The Veteran Car Club (VCC) and the Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC) are lending their support to the re-enactment in a bid to find an impressive list of cars to take part.
If your Club has not told you about this event yet, tell us. And if you want to come anyway, send an email to brian.adams@manx.net.
More here: www.visitisleofman.com
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