The 1903 Irish Gordon Bennettthe Race That Saved Motor Sport

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The Gordon Bennett Races began when James Gordon Bennett, millionaire owner of the New York Herald, presented a silver trophy to the Automobile Club de France with the intention that they create the first international contest for automobiles. French drivers and cars had established a dominance in the first two races, but the 1093 edition was a totally unexpected victory of a British Napier. Obliged to host the third race as the holders of the trophy, the AC of Great Britain and Ireland faced a major dilemma as it was clear the race could not held in Britain, given the open hostility there to the automobile. At the end Ireland provided the solution and the race was welcomed there as a major boost to its weak economy and fledgling tourist industry.