In the 4th edition of the 'Gordon Bennett Cup' of 1903, the honour of hosting the race is now with 'The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland'. After the success of of the British 'Napier' team and their driver Selwyn Edge at the '1902 Gordon Bennett Cup' (which ran from Paris to Innsbruck), the victors nationality of that event being able to host the 'Gordon Bennett Cup' the following year. There was a great search for a suitable venue but with road racing illegal in the 'Great Britain' part of the 'United Kingdom', an answer was found with the much more lenient Ireland. (At this point in 1903, 'Great Britain' and 'Ireland' were one country, until 1922). Now a location was found and an ingenious figure of eight route featuring several laps on the Irish roads. A start location of Ballyshannon cross-roads, County Kildare was approved and on the 2nd of July 1903, Ireland created motorsport history and the birth of 'British Racing Green' was created.
—Britrick_c21