Anyway, we discovered another facet of the 5th Earl of Earl
of Carnarvon, George Edward Stanhope
Molyneux Herbert, who is the real life equivalent of Hugh Bonneville’s Earl of
Grantham character in Downton. Turns out the 5th Earl was a famous Egyptologist
(yes, we got to see a sarcophagus on Mummy's Day!) but also a racing driver and
motorsport nut. He raced in the 1907 Dieppe Grand Prix and a serious motor accident
in Germany left him with lifelong injuries. These, in turn, meant moving to a
warmer climate - Egypt. So without motorsport, his discoveries may have
remained uncovered.
A bloke called Bonneville ought to be bringing motorsport to
Downtown. Apparently the next series in set in the mid-1920s, so we can
legitimately weave a storyline around bringing Tazio Nuvolari and his Bianchi
Celeste Freccia 350 over to race at the TT. And, if Mr Bonneville has a problem
with that, I reckon Dr Girlie and I can do posh well enough to take over.
“I say, Carson, bring the Alfa Romeo round to the front of
the house. And then make yourself scarce - I'll do the driving thank you.”
