By Something a bit different for the beginning of May, an article on four wheel road racers!
Given that motorsport started on public roads, it’s not surprising to see how rich a history car racing has in relation to pure road racing.
Since the late 1890’s, car racing in World Championship, national Championship, specialist event form has taken place on public roads.
Four wheel action has taken place on various iconic courses including the mythical, fabled Mountain Course.
The prestigious RAC TT race was held on the world’s most famous roads circuit in 1914 and 1922, with event victories secured respectively by Sunbeam drivers Kenelm Lee Guinness and Jean Chassagne.
The home of the Ulster Grand Prix, Dundrod, went onto host the RAC TT from 1950 to 1955. Star names to emerge victorious during this period included Peter Collins and Sir Stirling Moss.
British sporting legend Sir Stirling also enjoyed great success at two of Italy’s most renowned road races, Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia.
Outside of Sir Stirling, additional F1 giants to enjoy roads triumph’s in Italy included Alberto Ascari, Wolfgang Von Trips, Luigi Musso, Jo Siffert and Eugenio Castellotti.
Added circuits from years past raced on by countless four wheel greats include Reims Gueux, Bremgarten, the old Spa Francorchamps venue, Rouen Les Essarts, Pescara, Charade and Montjuic in Spain.
Since the golden era of Grand Prix, sports car racing from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, drivers have continued to showcase their skill set on roads including at the Birmingham street circuit, Pikes Peak, Pau, Monaco and the Mountain Course.
Multi British Rallying Champion Mark Higgins created a buzz at TT 2016, setting a record breaking four wheel fastest lap time exceeding the 128 mph mark in his Prodrive prepared Subaru, a truly incredible achievement.
Words by Stevie Rial
