RETRO STOCK OPEN TO ALL RETRO AND CLASSIC CARS MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1988

USPA NEWS - Americans dominated the industry in the first half of the twentieth century. Once vital to the expansion of American urban centers, the industry had become a shared global enterprise with the rise of Japan as the leading automaker by 1980...

Henry Ford innovated mass-production techniques that became standard, with Ford, General Motors and Chrysler emerging as the “Big Three“ auto companies by the 1920s. Manufacturers funneled their resources to the military during World War II, and afterward automobile production in Europe and Japan soared to meet demand. Once vital to the expansion of American urban centers, the industry had become a shared global enterprise with the rise of Japan as the leading automaker by 1980.

Although the automobile was to have its greatest social and economic impact in the United States, it was initially perfected in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by such men as Nicolaus Otto, Gottlieb Daimler, Carl Benz, and Emile Levassor.

The automobile changed the architecture of the typical American dwelling, altered the conception and composition of the urban neighborhood, and freed homemakers from the narrow confines of the home. No other historical force has so revolutionized the way Americans work, live, and play.

In 1980, 87.2 percent of American households owned one or more motor vehicles, 51.5 percent owned more than one, and fully 95 percent of domestic car sales were for replacement. Americans have become truly auto-dependent. But though automobile ownership is virtually universal, the motor vehicle no longer acts as a progressive force for change.

New forces“”the electronic media, the laser, the computer, and the robot probably foremost among them“”are charting the future. A period of American history that can appropriately be called the Automobile Age is melding into a new Age of Electronics.

RETRO STOCK Sept.13th 2015 Mondello Park International Race circuit

These events are made up of a full day of track sessions alongside displays of Retro and Classic cars with a big emphasis on performance versions of iconic Fords such as the Escort and Capri and Opels such as the Manta. RETRO STOCK is open to all Retro and Classic cars, manufactured before 1988. The Day runs on the full Mondello PArk International Track and “˜Grip´ and “˜Slip´ sessions are offered to drivers who wish to take tgheir cars on track. “˜Grip´ sessions offer drivers the opportunity to put their cars overall track performance to the test by running fast laps of the track. “˜Slip´ sessions are for those who like to go sideways as they Drift their way around the circle

Mondello Park is the only FIA Licenced Motor Racing circuit in the Republic of Ireland and was opened in 1968. Prior to the opening of the circuit all racing in Ireland had taken place on closed public roads but with safety becoming a big issue the days of the street circuit were numbered and with the demise of the last track at Dunboyne a permanent circuit was badly required.