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Gordon Bennett Motor Race 1903
Leinster Leader, Saturday 7 February 1903 – Page 7.
NAAS URBAN COUNCIL
TUESDAY.
…
Present:- Messers. Wm. Staples (in the chair), S. J. Brown,
Wm. Quinn, A. J. Carleton, D. Patterson and T. Kilmurray.
…
THE GREAT MOTOR RACE.
The circular from the Automobile Club in reference to the
race proposed to be held in Kildare, starting from Naas and
finishing there, was read by the town clerk.– Mr.. Quinn:
Everybody is aware that two gentlemen were here from London,
and they were over the course and very much pleased with
it. Mr. Staples: I met these two gentlemen, and I presume
Mr. Brown met them. Mr. Brown: Oh, yes, Mr. Quinn: They said
that they were very pleased with the course. Mr. Brown: Yes,
and pleased with the reception that they got in going over
the course. Chairman: We assured them that this being a sporting
country they would meet with a good reception. Mr. Carleton
said that the Council would be very foolish if they did not
approve of the resolution. Mr. Quinn proposed, and Mr. Carleton
seconded, a resolution approving of the project of holding
the race in the district, and promising their support to
the Bill. Mr. Carleton said he agreed with everything that
had been said. Mr. Quinn said he was sure that the people
of Naas would not be backward in coming forward to support
the project of holding the race in Kildare. Mr. Patterson:
Certainly, Mr. Brown said that he had suggested that the
race should not take place at such an early hour in the morning
as 3 o’clock and that it should be started at a later hour
in the day. The roads in July would be free from 1 o’clock
in the day. Mr. Carleton: What is the total length of the
course? Mr. Quinn: 131 miles. Mr. Inglis: 99 of which are
in Kildare. Mr. Brown also mentioned that in addition to
the general expenditure consequent upon the holding of the
race in Kildare, the roads would be greatly improved by the
fact of a steam roller being introduced. They all knew that
the Sallins Road had benefited enormously by steam-rolling.-
The resolution was put and carried unanimously.