Racing in the Park
By Bob Montgomery
Situated in a 1,752 acre, walled park in the northwest section of Dublin is a motor racing circuit with not only a fascinating history—101 years of it—but also a series of corners that those who have raced there both fear and revere. Phoenix Park, fortunately, is still active and just before this was written, 40 pre-war cars were on the grid for another scintillating historic event to celebrate a unique racing venue.
What few people know is that Phoenix Park is the birthplace of Irish motorsport. The 1903 Speed Trials were held there just a few days after the Gordon Bennett Race. The Hon. C.S. Rolls finished 2nd in the 200 Guinea Cup for racing cars in a Mors. From 1929-1931, the Irish International Grand Prix was run in the Park, attracting works entries from Alfa Romeo, Bentley and Lea-Francis. Ivanowski in his Alfa Romeo was the hero of the first year, and then in 1930 Rudi Carraciola, Tim Birkin, Giuseppe Compari, Earl Howe, Malcolm Campbell and Kaye Don really put the Park on the map. Racing on over seven different variations of the circuit, has been going on ever since.
This is a timely piece, inexpensively priced, and serves as a tribute to a great track.
Available for €10 (soft-bound) and €30 (limited edition hard-cover) from: Royal Irish Automobile Club 34 Dawson St, Dublin 2, Ireland (44) 1 677 5141 or [email protected]
