Early History Motor racing first took place in the Phoenix Park in 1903 when the Irish Gordon Bennett Race Speed Trials were held on the main straight for both cars and Motorcycles. This was followed in 1929 by the Irish International Grand Prix; the first of three Irish motor racing grands prix. Racing took place between 1932 until the beginning of World War II in 1939 and was revived again in 1949 with a sprint on the Oldtown circuit followed the next year by a full racing meeting again and has been used virtually continuously until today. Over the years seven different circuits have been used, two of which are named after the famous Ferrari & World Champion racing driver Mike Hawthorn Irish International Grand Prix winners Season Date Race Name Location Winning Driver Chassis Engine 1929 12 July I Irish Grand Prix (Saorstat Cup) Phoenix Park Boris Ivanowski Alfa Romeo 6C Alfa Romeo 1929 13 July I Irish Grand Prix (Éireann Cup) Phoenix Park Boris Ivanowski Alfa Romeo 6C Alfa Romeo 1930 18 July II Irish Grand Prix (Saorstat Cup) Phoenix Park Victor Gillow Riley 9 Brooklands – 1930 19 July II Irish Grand Prix (Éireann Cup) Phoenix Park Rudolf Caracciola Mercedes SSK Mercedes-Benz