IRISH GRAND PRIX

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 9

IRISH GRAND PRIX

RACE IN THUNDERSTORM BIRKIN WINS IN ITALIAN CAR CAMPARI'S EFFORT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received Blh June, 10 a.m.) LONDON, 7th June. A thunderstorm formed a dramatic interlude in the Irish International Grand Prix motor race in Phoenix Park, the whine of the supercharged cars rising above the thunder, and lightning dazzlingly playing among the racing giants as the drivers kept up a breakneck speed. There were nine competitors in the 300 miles race of seventy laps. Sir Henry Birkin, in an Alfa Kcvi.co, averaging 88.8 miles an hour, won. The Italian Campari was second, three minutes later, after an astonishing effort. Campari, trying to pass Birkin, was half-blinded by a piece of glass from a broken goggle, and suddenly swerved madly. He immediately regained control, and thrilled the spectators by carrying on for 2| miles at full speed, one hand on the "steering wheel and the other on his injured eye. He drove like a man possessed, once actually passing Birkin, but he skidded for a hundred yards with locked wheels, amazingly avoiding disaster. . Earl Howe broke the lap record with 91.8 metres an hour, driving a Mer-cedes-Benz.