Lyrics and Music by Richie Kavanagh
Chorus
A Hundred years ago today, in nineteen hundred and three.
The Gordon Bennett race, it was a sight to see.
Jenatzy was the winner in six hours thirty nine.
In a sixty horse Mercedes, he had the fastest time.
The starting point was Kilrush, just outside Athy.
Cars sped off driving dust up in the sky.
Open to all nations, cars of every make.
Tearing down the road, leaving zig zag marks in there wake.
Chorus
A Hundred years ago today in nineteen hundred and three.
The Gordon Bennett race, it was a sight to see.
Jenatzy was the winner in six hours thirty nine.
In a sixty horse Mercedes, he had the fastest time.
Cars reach sixty five miles an hour on the Ballyshannon straight.
Where people paid a guinea for a roadside seat.
Ardscull Moat was crowded on the day.
From there you could see dust from cars three miles away.
Chorus
A Hundred years ago today in nineteen hundred and three.
The Gordon Bennett race, it was a sight to see.
Jenatzy was the winner in six hours thirty nine.
In a sixty horse Mercedes, he had the fastest time.
Mechanics had there work cut out, believe it or not.
Threw water on the tyres, because they got so hot.
Sensation of the day was the gorteen crossroads crash.
When a car broke its wheel and turned over with a smash.
Chorus
A Hundred years ago today, in nineteen hundred and three.
The Gordon Bennett race, it was a sight to see.
Jenatzy was the winner in six hours thirty nine.
In a sixty horse Mercedes, he had the fastest time.
Spoken,
(Richie) “Is’nt That right Johnny”.
(Johnny) “Thats right, thats the truth, Me Granddad told me all about it,
He said all the roadside hedges had to be cut.
They took the humps off the bridges and steam rolled all the roads”.
”And Thats the Truth, cause me Granddad ad know”
Chorus
A Hundred years ago today, in nineteen hundred and three.
The Gordon Bennett race, it was a sight to see.
Jenatzy was the winner in six hours thirty nine.
In a sixty horse Mercedes, he had the fastest time.
Jenatzy there behind the wheel, mechanic by his side.
Brought the Gordon Bennett cup to Germany with such pride.
Second place and Third, Panhards they were fast.
A Mors it was fourth and the Napier was last.
Chorus
A Hundred years ago today, in nineteen hundred and three.
The Gordon Bennett race, it was a sight to see.
Jenatzy was the winner in six hours thirty nine.
In a sixty horse Mercedes, he had the fastest time.
In a sixty horse Mercedes, he had the fastest time.
About the Song,…..The Gordon Bennett Race.
The Gordon Bennett Cup Race Results 1903 was held in Carlow in 1903
The Gordon Bennett Cup Race Results 1903:
1st, Jenatzy (Mercedes Car), 6 hours 39 minutes, at 49.2 miles per hour,
2nd,De Knyff, (Panhard, Car), 6 hours 50 minutes.
3rd. Farman, (Panhard, Car), 6 hours 51minutes,
4th. Gabriel, (Mors, Car), 7 hours 11minutes.
Edge, (Napier,Car), 9hours 28 minutes (disqualified).
Edge, (Napier,Car), 9hours 28 minutes (disqualified).