Prince Bira

[ss_collins]

Have just read 'bit and peices' by Bira and am just starting on Gold star Hat trick by Chula (about Bira). I know he raced after the war but what where, and what became of him?

[Adam43]

He was the subject off an Ask Roebuck Question a couple of years ago. www.autosport.com 1/8/01

Born 1914, educated to Eton and Cambridge. He raced before and after the war. Starting at Brooklands in 1935 and retiring in 1955. He died in London in 1988.

Check your PM.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
He died in London in 1988.

On Earl's Court Station, IIRC.

There are a number of books by Prince Chula/Bira detailing his pre-qar activities, you have 2 of them; there is also one by his widow (Ceril).

[thebear]

Originally posted by ss_collins
Have just read 'bit and peices' by Bira and am just starting on Gold star Hat trick by Chula (about Bira). I know he raced after the war but what where, and what became of him?

You should find a lot of information here: http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-birpri.html

[ss_collins]

hmm the guy seems to need a proper biog - in his / chulas style... might do one if there isn't one on the market.

[chezza]

Not another book Sam?! Don't youy think you should finish the ones you've got started first?!

[Rob29]

The book by his widow-'THe Prince & I' which I have ,I would regard as a proper biography.

[ss_collins]

I'll have to get a copy of that and give it a good read

[carrera]

As far as I'm aware he is the only racing driver to have won at Gatwick.

[ss_collins]

go on...

[Woolley]

Was a regular hillclimb driver too, certainly at Shelsley.

[Richard Young]

The other Chula titles I have are 'Road Racing 1936' and 'Blue and Yellow' both published by Foulis in the dim and distant. Postwar he drove a variety of cars - Simca Gordini, an OSCA - now in the Donington Collection - and an assortment of Maseratis (probably other things as well) finishing up with a 250F. He also drove one of the ERA's that he used pre-war in at least one post-war race (Ballyclare, Ulster Trophy 1946 ?). Don't know much more, but I was pretty small then......

[strad]

1947 Bira in the Simca-Gordini...The cat in the shoes is Gordini

[strad]

Bira.......

[Adam43]

Stiring Moss choses Prince Bira as "My Hero" in this month's Motor Sport.

Moss
I though he had a great life and that he'd gone about his racing very nicely - dapper and stylish...

[carrera]

Originally posted by ss_collins
go on...

Is that "go on" tell us more or "go on" in disbelief?

We'll take the latter.

November 1935, Bira won a sprint event in an ERA run along the entrance way to the Gatwick horse race course. Yes, the Gatwick that is now an airport.

Tad of the subject of Bira or motorsport, Gatwick also held the Grand National horse race during the Great war as Aintree had been taken over by the Army.

[Armco Bender]

Bira at the 1955 New Zealand Grand Prix which he duly won.
He was also an accomplished pilot.

[D-Type]

Originally posted by carrera
Is that "go on" tell us more or "go on" in disbelief?

We'll take the latter.

November 1935, Bira won a sprint event in an ERA run along the entrance way to the Gatwick horse race course. Yes, the Gatwick that is now an airport.

Tad of the subject of Bira or motorsport, Gatwick also held the Grand National horse race during the Great war as Aintree had been taken over by the Army.

And I thought it was an oblique reference to his second wife being an air hostess.

BTW, ensign14, It was Barons Court tube station not Earls Court.

[ensign14]

I think it more fitting for a Prince to be slain by an Earl rather than by a mere baron.

[D-Type]

Originally posted by ensign14
I think it more fitting for a Prince to be slain by an Earl rather than by a mere baron.

And Kings Cross or Victoria would be even more appropriate!

[strad]

Malcolm Cambell toasts Bira on his victory....