Eritrean racing history on World Press Freedom Day

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There is a good reason for having a look at Eritrean motoring history since today is World Press Freedom Day. When looking at the map here and the ranking next to it, you will find out that Eritrea is the worst country in the world when it comes to freedom of press.

From 2001 onwards, all independent media was banned in the east-African country, making room for only government led media. Journalists are arrested and imprisoned since. The only opposing force supposedly is an underground newspaper named Echoes of Forto, made in Asmara.

Now, the same Asmara was once the thriving centre of Eritrea’s motoring scene, with an automobile club and even a street circuit of its own – start and finish in front of the opera house - dating back to days before the War. This was when the country belonged to Italy and it may be no surprise that it were the Italians who came up with the idea of it after WW1. The first ‘Coppa del Governatore dell’Eritrea’ took place on 23 May 1937, although it is unknown what cars were raced then, by 1938 a multitude of Alfa-Romeos could be seen at the Asmara circuit. No less then fourteen 6C 1750s were entered in a 1938 race. An 8C 2300 Monza supposedly won.

We wrote about an Asmara-entered Italian before (click here) but were intrigued by one of the pictures found on the former circuit’s Wikipedia page. Not so much the Alfa 1750 in the 1938 race seen in the opening picture, but mostly the other one. It dates from after the War (1950) but must show a number of PreWars either, updated Specials or not. Anyone here who recognizes something - and dares sharing this information?

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures Wikipedia.

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