In 1936 with the race run in shocking weather and with contestants spinning off the road in all directions a local driver Jack Chambers skidded on the Newtownards railway bridge while approaching the Strangford Arms in Newtownards, demolishing a lamp post and mowing down a crowd standing against the wall. The driver (Chambers) was not seriously injured but eight spectators were killed, and the race was the last on the circuit after reactions that spectators should be adequately safeguarded.
