When one of the golden ages of motor racing in Ulster came to end with the final Ards Tourist Trophy race in 1936, it was feared that a fatal crash at that race could have ended road racing here. However, the following year saw the creation of a new road circuit near Ballyclare which would host a series of three motor races between 1937 and 1947 at which the Ulster Trophy would be awarded. The success of this series of races led ultimately to the return of the Tourist Trophy races to Northern Ireland in 1950, at the now famous Dundrod circuit. On 10 August 1946 the first post WW2 international road race to take place in Britain was the Ulster Trophy Motor Race at Ballyclare, and this significant event was won by Prince Bira of Siam in an ERA racing car and is commemorated by a sculpture near the original start line in the village of Ballyrobert. To mark the 80th anniversary of this race, on the 8 August in Ballyclare Town Hall, motor sport historian, Paul Robinson, will give a talk on the International Ulster Trophy Motor Races 1937 to 1947 alongside an exhibition relating to the races. In a very significant development, the Ulster Automobile Club will also bring along a number rarely seen Ulster Trophy Race items. The event runs from 10am – 2pm with the talk taking place at 11.30am. As well as encouraging people along to hear the story of these highly important motor races that has tended to be lost in the shadow of the more famous Ards and Dundrod Tourist Trophy races, we would also encourage as many people as possible to bring along pre 1950 vehicles of types that would have been found both on the grid and in the spectator carparks at these events. Cars can gather from 10am, and an entry fee of £5 (+£1.50 booking fee) per car is payable which includes entry to the talk for all occupants. Image: Prince Bira at the wheel of his winning ERA (image courtesy of Paul Robinson) 📅 Date: 8 August 2026 ⏰ Time: 10:00 - 14:00 (Talk: 11:30) 📍 Venue: Ballyclare Town Hall 🎟️ Tickets: £6.50 🚩 Guidance: All Ages
Admission: £6.50
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