Why we love British Racing Green.
Go, Go! Green! British Racing Green!
Through the unfolding story of how BRG came to be known, we appreciate the culture–shaping aspect, the development and most importantly, how creating partnerships results in great opportunities and outcomes.
There is a reason why we are inspired by and chose this shade of green to grace our pages. It is the fascinating history of the origination and development of BRG, and most importantly, how partnership plays a significant role in the emergence of opportunities and creations.
An annual automobile race between nations called The Gordon Bennett Cup was developed by a wealthy American newspaperman, owner of the New York Herald Tribune, named James Gordon Bennett Jr. in the year 1900. For different nations to be recognised in the race, each country adopted a colour to be identified. The inauguration of the Cup saw France race into its victory, and the country was to host the race the following year in 1901. British luxury motor manufacturer David Napier of D. Napier & Son decided to compete in the race, only to find himself disqualified after modifying the tyres from a heavy British made for a lighter French to shed weight off the car to improve its performance. There are strict race rules for competing vehicles to be made entirely from parts in their home country, and the rules were broken. Napier happened to have worn a shade of olive green for the race, but this isn’t why green became the official British racing colour, the story gets better.
Not one to accept disqualification, and a determination to return racing in the 1902 Cup, Napier made sure vehicle specifications were addressed according to the rules. This time, a lighter car was developed for the British made tyres to endure the distance. Napier sped off to win the Gordon Bennett Cup for the Brits after all participants retired from the race due to mechanical problems. The win meant England was to host the race in 1903.
Motor racing was illegal on British land, and there was no way the race wasn’t going to happen. Passion for the Cup opened a conversation between Britain and neighbouring Ireland, where influential Irish personalities voiced for the adjustment to the laws on their land for the race to occur. As an expression of gratitude, the British team chose to race in Shamrock Green which became known as British Racing Green.
We value the history behind British Racing Green. Although this is a unique story for the automotive world, we can still apply many themes and details to what we do in different industries. Through the unfolding story of how BRG came to be known, we appreciate the culture-shaping aspect, the development and most importantly, how creating partnerships results in great opportunities and outcomes.
Cheers, to British Racing Green! Let’s go!
References:
Kaslikowski, A. (2004). A Colourful History of Racing Hues: British Racing Green. [online] . [Accessed 6 September 2020]. Available from: https://petrolicious.com/articles/a-colorful-history-of-national-racing-hues-british-racing-green-2-of-4
Lynch, B. (2002). Triumph of the Red Devil: The Irish Gordon Bennett Cup Race 1903. London: Portobello Publishing.