S. Girling in his Wolseley at Port e Vullen, Maughold competing in a hill trial during the Gordon Bennett Trials
Date(s): 1904
Creator(s): Southward, Francis
Scope & Content: On the climb towards Maughold church during the 1904 Gordon Bennett Trials. The British Government refused to allow roads to be closed for racing or to relax the strict speed limits. A solution was found when the Secretary of the Automobile Club of Great Britain talked to his relative Lord Raglan, Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, in March 1904; with a view to the Island's roads being used to stage road races. Tynwald, the Manx Parliament, authorised the closure of roads and lifting of speed restrictions in the Isle of Man in time for the Gordon Bennett time trials of 1904. During these trials that it was decided to hold a hill climb as part of the event. An inspecting committee ruled out Slieau Lewaigue towards Maughold village. The start was in front of the wooden constructed refreshment building on the right which survives today as a bungalow. Beyond that is the house which has a plaque of Queen Victoria set into the gable. The [winner] driver was Selwyn Francis Edge in his Napier which completed the course in 39 seconds at a speed of 46.05mph.
Language: eng
Extent: 8 x 10.5 cm
Physical description: glass plate negative
Item name: glass plate negative
Collection: Photographic Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: PG/7850/058