Hereford celebrates motor racing history

Dozens of vintage sports cars and motorbikes have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the last Hereford Speed Trial.

On April 4th 1925, the final race took place in the city's streets, but it almost didn't happen.

Two days earlier the Royal Automobile Club, the governing body of motor sport in Britain, had cancelled all permits for speed trials on public roads following an accident.

The organisers appealed to the police, the mayor of Hereford, and the city's watch committee who agreed that the race could take place.

"You could look at Broad Street today and think we'd gone back 100 years," said organiser Stephen Kay.

"What makes the Hereford Speed Trial so special is that it was the last one to be held in England; there hasn't been one since.

"We're amazed and delighted at the number of people who've turned up to see the vehicles."

The final race in spring 1924 took place over half a mile on Kings Acre Road in the city.

Most of the 90-plus entries were motorcycles and three-wheelers, with only five cars taking part.

Previous races had been held on the road through Rotherwas, still locally known as the Straight Mile.

The 1924 event was won in 19 seconds by I P Riddoch on his 988cc Zenith motorcycle.

F Taylor in his Bugatti was the fastest car, finishing in 25.6 seconds.

In 1922, Ruddock had become the first person to go faster than 100 miles an hour on a motorcycle on a public road.

"Like the very best parties, today came together almost by accident," said Hereford Mayor Councillor Kevin Tillett.

"We were delighted to welcome the vehicles and reintroduce them to the magnificent and enormous Frome's Hill Trophy, which we found in the Town Hall.

"It's great; the sun is shining, and we're really pleased to welcome so many vehicles and spectators to Hereford."

The 1904 event featured Dorothy Levitt, the trailblazing racing driver and journalist.

She was the first British female racing driver and the holder of the women's world land speed record and the world's first-ever water speed record.

In 1905, she set the record for the longest-ever solo drive by a woman when she drove from London to Liverpool and back over two days.

The course driven by Dorothy started in Broad Street in the city centre and finished at the top of Frome's Hill.

The 1907 Hereford Speed Trial race was reported at the time as being one of the biggest events in Europe.

A century on, hundreds of people turned out to mark the 100-year anniversary.

"It was great fun a century ago, and it's great fun today," said organiser and historian Stephen Kay.

"The sun is out, and we're all smiling."