Our story begins on the 6th of May 1905, when the gentlemen of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club first convened for what would, for a time, become an annual tradition. Mr R.E. Workman was winner of the first Cultra Hill Climb in 1905 and again the following year. In the years 1905 and 1912, the hill climb was conducted on a network of 640 metres of private roads within the estate of R.J. Kennedy, proprietor of Cultra Manor, situated in Hollywood, County Down.
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RACE RULES
Among the entrants in the hill climb was a 1904 De Dion, alongside other vehicles some valued at over £1,000—a significant sum in the early 1900s. These cars were displayed along the approach to the manor house, awaiting their turn to ascend the course.
The rules were very specific; drivers had to be the car’s owner—not their chauffeur—and an official timekeeper was carried in the front seat.
At the height of its popularity, the event attracted as many as 100 motorcars, with the final climb on the original course taking place in 1912.
REVIVAL
Revived in the year 2000 by the Thoroughbred Sports Car Club of Northern Ireland, the Cultra Hill Climb has been held annually ever since. The annual event at Cultra Manor can now lay claim to being the world’s oldest active speed hill climb. The event features a broad spectrum of competition, from vintage automobiles to modern single-seater racing cars. In keeping with tradition, a grand display of vehicles is arranged on the lawns before the Manor house.
FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE
The 2012 Cultra Hill Climb celebrated the legacy of four-wheel drive, honouring the ingenuity of local pioneers such as Harry Ferguson and Rex McCandless, whose engineering contributions helped shape its success.
In 2012, the Cultra Hill Climb also marked the 50th anniversary of the MGB. Members of the local MG clubs provided a timeline display tracing the development of the car and its various model series. A broad range of MGs were exhibited, with several also taking part in the competitive speed hill climb.
The event, captured for us by Ernie Patterson, showcased a remarkable selection of vehicles, including the pioneering P99 4WD F1car, a Jensen Interceptor fitted with the Ferguson Formula system, a four-wheel-drive Ferguson tractor, a cross-country Mule prototype and a McCandless 4WD race car.
HARRY FERGUSON
Born in 1884 near Dromore, Co. Down, began his career in bicycle and car repair before turning to aviation—becoming the first person to fly an aircraft in Ireland on 31st December 1909. He later founded Harry Ferguson Ltd., selling cars and tractors, and revolutionised farming with his three-point linkage system, first produced on the Ferguson Model A and later perfected in the iconic “Wee Grey Fergie.”
Ferguson’s interest in engineering extended to four-wheel drive (4WD). Teaming up with Tony Rolt and Freddie Dixon, he founded Ferguson Research Ltd. to develop 4WD systems. Despite limited commercial interest, they pressed on.
In 1955, Ferguson Research built the P99, a 4WD Formula 1 car. Completed in 1960, Ferguson died on 25th October that year, before it raced. In 1961, Stirling Moss drove the P99 to victory at the Oulton Park Gold Cup—marking the only F1 win for a 4WD and the last for a front-engine car.
In 1966, Jensen Motors adopted the Ferguson Formula for the Jensen FF, a luxurious 4WD grand tourer also featuring anti-lock brakes—both world firsts in a production car. Only 320 were made due to high costs and lack of a left-hand drive version. The concept later lived on in the 1980 AMC Eagle and Audi Quattro.
REX MCCANDLESS
Born on 21st May 1915 in Culcavy, Hillsborough, Co. Down, Rex McCandless was a gifted engineer and lifelong inventor. Frustrated by the limitations of pre-war motorcycle frames on rough Irish roads, he developed a groundbreaking design in 1949. Norton adopted his frame for the 1950 Isle of Man TT, securing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in both Junior and Senior races. Racer Harold Daniell famously called it the “Featherbed,” a name that stuck.
In the late 1940s, racer Freddie Dixon was developing a complex 4WD military vehicle with Harry Ferguson Research Ltd. McCandless believed he could do better. In his workshop, he built the Mule, a lightweight cross-country vehicle powered by a rear-mounted, fan-cooled 500cc Norton engine. It used a chain-driven system to power all four wheels and featured a sturdy, enclosed frame.
In 1953, McCandless built two 500cc race cars to test his 4WD concepts. Debuting at Kirkistown in 1954, they impressed onlookers and shaped the Mule’s final design. Weighing only 800 lbs, the Mule outperformed Jeeps, Land Rovers, tractors, and Dixon’s 4WD model in off-road trials.
Though Harry Ferguson backed both projects, personal clashes between the two inventors led to the Mule being shelved. Despite outside interest, manufacturers were reluctant to challenge Ferguson, and McCandless was ultimately forced to abandon production.
4WD DISPLAY
Also on display in June 2012 was a wide selection of classic and modern four-wheel-drive vehicles, featuring exhibits from the nearby Ulster Transport Museum alongside locally owned 4WD models, including:
1940s Daimler Dingo
1945 Willys Jeep
1950s Daimler Ferret
1952 Series 1 Land Rover
1953 Austin Champ
1960s Shorland
4×4 “Grey” Ferguson
1971 ST Mini 4×4
CULTRA MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL
The festival returns on Saturday, 7th June 2025, at Cultra Manor, Hollywood, County Down. In addition to the hill climb heats, visitors can enjoy a display of vintage, classic, and modern vehicles set against the elegant backdrop of Cultra Manor. Highlights include rare gems from the Ulster Transport Museum’s collection, specially released from private storage exclusively for this event.
If you have a story to share, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
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Check out our previous Ferguson and McCandless video-stories:
Sources of Information and Photo Credits:
Northern Ireland Hillclimb Championship Facebook Page
Rallyie
Thoroughbred Sports Car Club N.I. (TSCC)
Ulster Transport Museum
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