1940

Autosport in 1940, Europe stopped the rest continued!

Autosport during WWII
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While the war was on full power in 1940, most of the autosport in Europe stopped especially in the countries invaded by Nazi Germany.  Some countries like Spain, Italy and Ireland kept on organizing races. While in the rest of the world, until august 1940, races and even Grand Prix’s were organized.  However, it would not take long before other countries would be involved as well in the war. If not involved, the lack of gasoline would be one of the concerns.

For European citizens at that time it is weird to think there were still races held. However, the idea as I understand is the fact that via diplomatic matter the war would be ended. Little did they know it would become one of the destructive wars we have ever seen on this planet. There are some vague leads of races in occupied Europe. While the Grand Prix in Zandvoort was cancelled due to the outbreak of the war.

So far these are the races I could uncover in 1940. Again the races that were held or cancelled/postponed are listed. There are some races incomplete as there was no date available. I hope to find them later.

January

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
1-1-1940South Australian 100AustraliaLobethal 
1-1-1940Johannesburg RacesSouth AfricaLord Howe Circuit 
1-1-1940Ice RacesDenmarkSortedamssøen 
15-1-1940Sydney Sportsground SpeedwayAustraliaSportsground Speedway Sydney 
27-1-1940TrialIrelandDublin University 
28-1-1940Pingelly Motor Racing CarnivalAustraliaPingelly 

February

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
1-2-1940AutoraceSwedenKarlskoga 
18-2-1940Ice RacesSwedenLake Möckeln 
24-2-1940HillclimbAustraliaRob Roy 

March

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
1-3-1940Mahagastotte Hill ClimbSri LankaCeylon 
3-3-1940HillclimbAustraliaHornsby 
10-3-1940Gran Premio de Mal Del PlataArgentinaLa Plata 
10-3-1940Daytona Beach AmericaDaytona Beach 
10-3-1940Ice RacesSwedenLake Delsjön 
11-3-1940Midget Car Racing AustraliaSportsground Speedway Sydney 
17-3-1940Mar del Plata ArgentinaMar del Plata 
18-3-1940Midget Car Racing AustraliaSportsground Speedway Sydney 
18-3-1940MRC TrialIreland  
23-3-1940Midget Car Racing AustraliaSportsground Speedway Sydney 
23-3-1940Gran Premio de la VendimiaArgentinaMendoza 
24-3-1940HillclimbMalay StatesGopeng 
25-3-1940Bathrust Grand Prix (easter meeting)AustraliaBathrust 
25-3-1940Albany Around the HousesAustraliaAlbany 
25-3-1940HillclimbCeylonMahagastota 
31-3-1940Gran Premio de la Vendimia, MendozaArgentina  

April

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
7-4-1940Concorida RaceArgentinaRivadavia Park 
7-4-1940Targa Florio ItalyNapelsUnsure if this event happened
14-4-19401000 miles race ItalyBresciaSportscar race
20-4-1940HillclimbSouth AfricaCamps Bay 
22-4-1940Midget Car Racing AustraliaSportsground Speedway Sydney 
27-4-1940HillclimbAustraliaGlen Osmond 
28-4-1940Mille MigliaItalyBresciaGrand Prix of Brescia for the Mille Miglia
28-4-1940HillclimbSpainVallvidrera 

May

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
1-5-1940Gran Premio NacionalPeru  
2-5-1940Midget Car Racing AustraliaHersey Stadium Speedway 
4-5-1940Donabate Speed TrialsIrelandDonabate1/4 Mile Speed Event
4-5-1940IMRC SprintIreland  
12-5-1940Speed trialMalaysiaSeremban 
12-5-1940Grande Prêmio Sao PaulBrazilInterlagos 
12-5-1940Tripoli Grand PrixItalyMellaha1,5 Liter racecars
13-5-1940 SwitzerlandBern18 equipes arrived
16-5-1940Pananá RaceArgentinaUrquiza Park 
19-5-1940WertungsfahrtYugoslaviaLjubljana 
19-5-1940HillclimbAustraliaBowenfels 
19-5-1940HillclimbAustraliaCox’s River 
23-5-1940Targa FlorioItalyFavorita Park – Palermo 
26-5-1940Parana ?Argentina  
30-5-1940Indianapolis 500AmericaIndianapolis 

June

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
2-6-1940Balkan RallyBalkanRallyCancelled
2-6-1940SportscarItalyCoppa AscoliCancelled
8-6-1940Munster Road RaceIrelandCork 
9-6-1940HillclimbItalyParma-Poggio 
16-6-1940Stock Car RacingAmericaLanghorne Speedway 
17-6-1940Interstate Gold CupAustraliaAlbury / Wirlinga 
17-6-194025 Miles Open HandicapAustraliaAlbury / Wirlinga 
23-6-1940HillclimbAustraliaRob Roy 
23-6-1940Piedmont CupItalyNapelsSportscar Race

July

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
4-7-1940Land End HillclimbAmerica  
6-7-1940Montauk Grand PrixAmericaMontauk 
9-7-1940TandilArgentina  
13-7-1940Leinster TrophyIreland  
21-7-1940HillclimbItalyStelvio 

August

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
4-8-1940HillclimbSingaporeGap880 Yards long
4-8-1940Gran Premio Provincia Santa FéArgentina Cancelled 
8-8-1940Coppa Ciano Grand PrixItalyCiano 
10-8-1940Round the Houses RaceAmericaAlexandria Bay 
10-8-1940HillclimbIrelandKilternan 
11-8-1940Dutch Grand PrixNetherlandsZandvoortCancelled
14-8-1940HillclimbYugoslaviaAvola 
14-8-1940San Justo RaceArgentinaSante Fe 
15-8-1940Coppa Acerbo Grand PrixItalyPescara 
15-8-1940Targa AbruzzoItalyPescaraSportsCars
24-8-1940Springfield 100AmericaIllinois 
25-8-1940Sportscar RaceItalyCircuito del Carnaro 
25-8-1940Hillclimb – Climb to the cloudsAmericaMount Washington 

September

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
1-9-1940Brasov Grand PrixRomania Cancelled after practice
2-9-1940Syracuse 100AmericaNew York 
2-9-1940Pikes peak Hill ClimbAmericaPikes peak Hill Climb 
8-9-1940Italian Grand prixItalyMonza Circuit1500CC cars only
13-9-1940Kronstadt Grand PrixRomaniaKronstadtCancelled
14-9-1940Phoenix ParkIreland  
22-9-1940Speed recordUSSRMoscow 
22-9-1940Gran Premio de San JustoArgentinaSan Justo 

Oktober

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
27-09 / 12-10 1940Rally RaceArgentinaGran Premio Internácional del Norte 
28-9-1940HillclimbIrelandBallinascorney Road from Glenasmole to Balminascorney
29-9-1940Spanish Grand PrixSpainMadrid (?) 
5-10-1940Sporting TrialIrelandLeinster 
6-10-1940World’s Fair Grand PrixAmericaFlushing Meadows, New York  
6-10-1940HillclimbRomaniaFeleac 
6-10-1940Benjica Race YugoslaviaBelgrade 
8-10-1940HillclimbYugoslaviaBelgrade 
12-10-1940Concorida RaceArgentinaRivadavia Park 

November

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
1-11-1940Johore Grand PrixMalay StatesBahru  
10-11-1940500 mile RafaelaArgentinaRafaela 
10-11-1940Rio de Janeiro Grand PrixBrazilCircuito de Gavea 
11-11-1940Patriotic Grand PrixAustraliaApplecross – Perth 
14/15 november 1940Rally RaceBrazilRaid Rio de Janeiro – Porto Alegre 
24-11-1940Johore Grand PrixMalay StatesJohore 
25-11-1940HillclimbCeylonMahagastota 

December

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
06/12 december 1940Mil Millas Argentinas ArgentinaMil Millas Argentinas 
14/15 december 1940Mill Millas ArgentinoArgentina  
12-12-1940Camp Bay Grand PrixSouth AfricaCamp Bay 
29-12-1940Gran Premio Sao PauloBrazilInterlagos 

Unknown date

DateRaceCountryCircuitComments
Jan/Feb 1940Hewison Trophy  RallyIrelandHewison 
Unknown 1940Stockinbingal Red Cross Fund raiserAustraliaStockinbingal Speedway 
Unknown 1940Kilternan HillclimbIrelandKilternan 
Unknown 194024 hours endurance raceUruguayAutodromo Nacional 
Unknown 1940Bluff Grand PrixAustraliaDurbanCancelled
Unknown 1940Gran Premio Internacional del NorteArgentinaBuenos Aires – Lima – Buenos Aires 
Unknown 1940500 Milla de RafaeleArgentina  
Unknown 1940Historical Rally with cars from 1896 – 1917AmericaBoston 
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Autosport in 1939, when many were still racing!