1934 Phoenix Park Senior Race
Victory for car built in Statham's Garage, Patrick St.
In 1904, John Robert Statham opened 'Statham & Co', Kilkenny City's first motor garage at 70 High Street. In 1910, they opened an additional garage on James Street. In 1917, they sold the James Street garage premises to the 'Kilkenny People' newspaper and relocated to Patrick Street where they took over a fine garage, 'Lambert & Co'. They became Ford main dealers the same year and extended the garage significantly.
As John got older, his son George played a more prominent role in the business, and in 1929 set about building his own 'special', a car completely designed and built in Statham's garage using a stripped back Ford. George drove the car himself until 1930 when driving duties were taken over by Statham's sales manager, Michael Joseph Hynes. The car raced to many victories on road and sand circuits around Ireland and with it's custom racing body, the Statham-Ford Special became a distinctive figure on the Irish motoring scene. Below is one of it's most notable victories in the Phoenix Park Senior Race in 1934.
Stathams Ford Special takes Victory
The Phoenix Park Senior Race was organised by the Irish Motor Racing Club. Out of 31 entries, there were 29 starters. The course was 100 miles and watched by 70,000 spectators while many more listened by radio. Indeed in Kilkenny, "every wireless set in the city was tuned in to hear the description of the race".
The car's driver was salesman at Statham's garage, M. J. Hynes. He originally raced motorcycles but built up quite a reputation racing the special to numerous victories on the sands of Tramore, Duncannon and Portmarnock. He gained recognition as 'Kilkenny's speed King' and 'Ireland's fastest sand-racer'.
The car had taken part in the race on the two previous occasions; 1932 and 1933. It was a case of third time lucky as the car showed impressive cornering throughout the race and crossed the finish line in first position.
Due to confusion from the timekeepers at the end of the race, all results and previous communications were cancelled to allow a thorough investigation to be held. After a heated discussion, the revised results were announced showing the 'Statham-Ford Special' to correctly be the winner at a speed of 80.2mph (129kph).
The car had raced to victory in one of the biggest motor races in the country and claimed it's place in the history books.
You can find out more about the car at the site of the former garage on Patrick Street at the Pembroke hotel and Stathams Bar & Restaurant.
FINISHING TIMES SENIOR RACE
1. M. J. Hynes (Statham-Ford)
Handicap - 3 laps I min
Time - 68m 30s
Speed - 80.2mph
2. Alan Corry (M.G. Magna)
Handicap - 4 laps 30 secs
Time - 68m 49s
Speed - 76.5mph
3. R. E. Tongue (Aston-Martin)
Handicap - 3 laps
Time - 70m 55s
Speed - 76.85mph
4. J. Wasson (Singer)
Handicap - 6 laps
Time - 71m 17s
Speed - 66.9mph
5. A. C. Dobson (Alfa-Romeo)
Time - 71m 40s
Speed - 88.7mph
6. F. O'Boyle (O'Boyle-Riley)
Time - 71m 52s
7. H. A. Delap (Riley)
Time - 72m 13s
8. A. S. Wright (Ford)
Time - 72m 16s
9. F. O'Connor (Singer)
Time - 72m 47s
10. Flight-Lieutenant Briggs (M.G.)
Time - 74m 10s
11. A. H. F. Verschoyle (Frazer Nash)
Time - 74m 31s
12. W. G. Bailey (Chrysler)
Time - 75m 7s
13. D. O'Cleery (Riley)
Time - 75m 32s
14. C. G. Neill (Bugatti)
Time - 75m 46s
15. J. R. Hodge (S.S.I.)
Time - 77m 7s
Learn more about the car in the video below: