Cars came first
The 1904 Gordon Bennett Cup eliminating trials
Motor racing on open roads had been held on the Continent before the turn of the century, but it was illegal in England, Scotland and Wales. Premier amongst these races were the Gordon Bennett Cup for national teams of three cars built in the country of the entrant. The regulations stated that the winner's country should hold the next years event, so when Selwyn F. Edge won the 1903 event, the event was held in in County Kildare. The English team again failed to show well in the race; lack of testing under race conditions was a main concern. Where could they hold proper qualifying trials?
Julian W. Orde, Secretary of the Royal Automobile Association, now the R.A.C. had visited the Isle of Man in February 1904 and had met the Governor of the Island Lord Raglan. Lord Raglan was always open to any opportunity to bring much-needed revenue to the Island. He proposed that Legislation be passed to allow racing to take part; an Act of Tynwald was promulgated in mid-March and the way was open for races to be held on the Islands roads.
The worth of a severe qualifying test was shown when all the British entrants finished the 1904 Gordon Bennett. France, the winners of the 1904 event, declined to hold the next years event, but in 1905 an International Cup race was to be held, for cars and motorcycles.