In 1938 Prince Bira of Siam drove a Maserati 8CM in a futile chase of
French ace René Dreyfuss’ Delahaye in the last ever Cork Grand Prix.
75
years on the Munster Vintage Motor Cycle and Car Club decided to bring
that golden era of racing back to life with a re-enactment of the only
international grand prix race to be held on Irish soil.
The lure
of the Carrigrohane circuit proved irresistible to drivers and owners
from as far afield as Switzerland as the organisers assembled an
enviable line-up of cars for the anniversary.
Included in their
number were six of the original entrants, and in pride of place was
Jean-Pierre Wimille's glorious Bugatti, resurrected and ready once more
to roar its way around the course.
Other great marques represented
on the entry list included Alvis, Riley, Singer, Maserati, Alfa and
Lagonda, as well as a host of specials.
The cameras were on hand
to capture the atmospheric occasion from the arrival of the entrants to
the scrutineering of the cars and on to the parade itself.
A true
pageant of sight and sound, the revival took to the public roads that
made up the old circuit for three laps of pure nostalgia.
Also includes bonus onboard footage of the course shot from an Alvis 12/50 special.