September 23, 1939
A.P. MacArthur pulled across the finish line in Ballinascorney, Ireland, on this day, winning the last Irish hill climb before World War II. Hill-climbing events usually took place on a public road, and they became wildly popular in Great Britain and Ireland during the early days of the automobile. Cars of all shapes and sizes would race up a hill, with drivers gunning their engines and showing off the prowess of their new motor car. Cheered on by a crowd of onlookers, the fastest car up the hill won. World War II brought an end to hill climbs and car racing in general, as manufacturers funneled their efforts into military production. However, hill climbing returned after the war, more popular than ever, most popular being the Pikes Peak event.
September 23, 1969
Tapio Laukkanen, Finnish rally driver was born in Lahti, Southern Finland.
In 1996 he won the Finnish Rally Championship in a Volkswagen Golf GTi and in 1999 he won the British Rally Championship with a Renault Mégane Maxi twinned with fellow Finn, Kaj Lindström.
September 23, 1972
The famous Crystal Palace racing circuit in London, England, was closed by the Greater London Council on this day, ending a 45-year racing tradition. The closing had been announced a few weeks before the beginning of the 1972 season, prompted by noise complaints and safety concerns. During its long history, the Crystal Palace circuit had hosted everything from the first televised auto race to a few demonstration laps by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Tapio Laukkanen
Crystal Palace Circuit
As seen through google earth.
Source:
The History Channel
Wikipedia
racingline.net
google earth