1905 Cultra Hillclimb

from the County Down Spectator Friday, 12 May, 1905

MOTORING

ROYAL NORTH OF IRELAND YACHT CLUB

MOTOR HILL-CLIMBING AT CULTRA

The motor-meet and hill-climbing competitions held on Saturday (6th May) at Cultra proved extremely successful and provided a very enjoyable afternoon, just a week before the opening of the sailing season. The long line of automobiles and the crowd, considerably reinforced by outsiders, gave to the ordinarily quiet little spot quite a different appearance, and for three or four hours all was bustle and excitement.

The competitions were held over a private road, the property of Mr J R Kennedy, CMG, DL, the course being half a loop, and the cars returning via the other half. In mentioning Mr Kennedy's name it is but fitting that reference should be made to the part he has played in the club's history. That history, as all know, has been one of continuous and uninterrupted success, and in the progress that has been made Mr Kennedy has borne no small share. In the past number of years State affairs have kept him from home, but his interest in the club, no matter how many miles of land and water separated him from it, has never slackened, and his kindness in giving the use of the road referred to is only another example of the many things he has done for the club.

The committee in charge of the affair was Messrs H C Craig, W D Donnan, MD, C W Henderson, W Hume, W M Inglis and R E Workman (hon. secretary), and the arrangements were carried out splendidly. The timekeepers - Messrs A Turnbull, James Ferguson, Hill Charley and W Carson.

There were three competitions, the first being restricted to cars exceeding 15 hp, the second to cars over 10 hp and under 15 hp, and the third for low-powered motors between 5 hp and 10 hp. A condition of the contests was that the cars should be in the usual trim, but canopies and hoods could be discarded, though none of the cars using same availed themselves of the privilege. Two or three-seated cars were to carry two passengers and a four or five-seated car to carry four persons averaging not less than ten stone each, and members have to drive their own cars.

In the first class, in which the prizes were presented by Messrs Donnan, Hume, Inglis and Workman, the winner was Mr Granville Craig, with a fine Daimler car, Mr Geo Coombe being second, and Mr C W Henderson third. Unfortunately, Mr H C Craig had the misfortune to strip one of his gearing wheels while changing speed, thus putting his car - a 28 hp Daimler, of which he had received delivery last week - out of the competition.

In the second class, for which Mr H C Craig presented the prizes, Mr R E Workman was the winner, and Messrs W M Inglis and Robin Workman second and third respectively.

Mr C W Henderson presented the prizes in the third class, in which the placings were Messrs A F Craig, Lavens Ewart, and Dr Duncan. In this class, Mrs R E Workman had the ill-luck to break the driving chain just on starting. It may be mentioned that Mr McCammond and Dr M'Harry won in their respective classes, but were disqualified for not having driven their cars.

After the competition tea was dispensed in the clubhouse through the kindness of a member. During the afternoon Wright's bijou orchestra played an attractive programme of music.

The following are the times and winners under the handicap -

CLASS 1

(1) Mr Granville Craig, 18 hp Daimler, 1m 19s. (2) Mr George Coombe, 15 hp Darracq, 1m 29s. (3) Mr Charles Henderson, 15 hp Darracq, 1m 37 1/5s.

Mr H Barbour, 22 hp Daimler, 1m 40 1/5s. Mr Frank Workman, 15 hp Darracq, 1m 57s. Mr Charles Lepper, 15 hp Darracq, 1m 41 4/5s. Mr J N M'Cammond, 15 hp Darracq, 1m 24 3/5s. Mr E C Craig, 15 hp Panhard, 1m 45 4/5s. Mr F W Workman, 15 hp Napier, 1m 51 2/5s.

CLASS 2

(1) Mr R E Workman, 14 hp Minerva, 1m 17 2/5s. (2) Mr W M Inglis, 12 hp Clement, 1m 48 4/5s. (3) Mr R Workman, 12 hp Darracq, 1m 56s.

Mr W C Mitchell, 12 hp Clement, 3m 5 2/5s. Mr J G Crawford, 12 hp Clement, 2m 16 3/5s. Mr W Hume, 12 hp Darracq, 2m 5 2/5s.

CLASS 3

(1) Mr A F Craig, 5 hp Oldsmobile, 1m 54 1/5s. (2) Mr L Ewart, 7 1/2 hp Humber, 1m 53 2/5s. (3) Dr Donnan, 8 hp Darracq, 2m 20s.

Mr C P Hunter, 9 hp Clement, 2m 36 1/5s. Mr T W Bloxam, 9 hp Darracq, 2m 30 1/5s. Mr J W Lemon, 6 hp De Dion, 2m 11 2/5s. Mr V Craig, 7 hp Oldsmobile, 2m 58 3/5s. Mr G Craig, 5 1/2 hp Oldsmobile, 3m 15s. Dr W M'Harry, 10 hp Speedwell, 1m 36 3/5s. Captain J R Mitchell, 5 1/2 hp Oldsmobile (no time given)......................................................