The Napier Returns

Such was the importance attached to the Gordon Bennett Race in 1903, that the Napier car, driven by Charles Jarrott, was built especially for that year’s event by D Napier and Sons Ltd., London. Jarrott was in a team of three Napiers, representing Great Britain, in cars painted green, which was the colour adopted by the British as their racing colours. Running with the competition number 5, the car ran well until it crashed at high speed near Stradbally, throwing Jarrott from the car, but trapping his mechanic Cecil Bianchi underneath it. Thankfully both driver and mechanic survived without serious injury, but they were out of the race. The repaired car, while still very competitive, did not take part in the following years race but continued to be used until the 1930’s. Post-war, the car went to the United States, and passed into the renowned Harrah collection in 1973. Currently, the car is owned by the National Motor Museum Beaulieu, and is returned to Ireland for the first time since its appearance at the 90th Anniversary Gordon Bennett Rally in 1993. The IVVCC was delighted that this historically important car was there at our 2023 Gordon Bennett Rally, and it carried the same competition number 5, as it did in 1903.