There really was a Hill Charley
In the reports of the 1905 events the newspapers give the name of one of the timekeepers as Hill Charely. I thought this was likely tone a misprint or error.
One of the readers of my book decided to do investigate it further and, sent me a message confirming that there is in the 1901 census a Hill Charley. He was 43 years old and a Flour Trade Manager living in 2 Tennyson Ave, Bangor and was born in Holywood (County Down). He think he is almost certainly our man.
Keep in Touch
: Robinson Books - Hill Climbs and car Road Races in Northern Ireland 1905 to 1947
My books are about motor sport in Northern Ireland in the first half of the 20th century.
It was a time of enormous wealth , especially around Belfast, and the emergence of the motor car as both a means of transport and for use in competition, for example reliability trials, hill climbs and road races.
In 1922 Northern Ireland became the only part of the United Kingdom where roads could be closed for motorsport. In 1925 the Ulster Automobile Club was formed to promote motorsport.
My books focus on events not previously published and include the Edwardian Cultra Hill Climbs, sand racing at Magilligan Strand and the road races at Donaghadee and Bangor.
The second edition of the Ulster TT badges will be available in May 2025 and I am currently working on a new book on Craigantlet Hill climb 1925 to 1947.