Stirling Moss and the RAC Tourist Trophy Race

Details

Location

Dundrod

Year

1955

Date

17 September 1955 (of event)

Length

07min 24sec

Audio

silent

Format

16mm

colour

Source

National Museums Northern Ireland

Courtesy

National Museums NI, Tourism NI

Rights Holder

Tourism NI

It is illegal to download, copy, print or otherwise utilise in any other form this material, without written consent from the copyright holder.

Description

In this graphic footage, we see racing legend, Stirling Moss, and his fellow drivers braving the famous Dundrod circuit in what was to become one of the most tragic races in the history of the Tourist Trophy.

1955 was the Golden Jubilee year of the Tourist Trophy Race. Unfortunately, the event would be marred by great tragedy, three drivers losing their lives in fatal accidents on the tight course. Such dangers are made apparent in shots showing the smouldering wreckage of one car, with another much-damaged vehicle seen in a debris strewn field. The race was won by motor-racing great, Stirling Moss.

This film was digitised as part of the BFI's Unlocking Film Heritage project.

 

Notes

Throughout his career, Moss - seen here, at the race's end - showed a remarkable aptitude for competing across different racing categories and is widely credited as one of the sport's greatest drivers, albeit one who never won a World Championship. Following the devastating tragedy of 1955, the International Tourist Trophy Race would never again be held on the Dundrod Circuit. In 1958, when the race resumed after a two-year break, it was at the Goodwood Circuit in West Sussex. These colourful rushes are amongst a wealth of footage that was generated by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.  

Digitised as part of the BFI's Unlocking Film Heritage Project  

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