Crossword Genius

Voting for August the ninth to hold race (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grand prix

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'race' is the definition.
(Grand Prix is an example)

'voting for august the ninth to hold' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'august' could be 'grand' (synonyms) and 'grand' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for grand prix that I've seen before include "event for motorists" , "Formula 1 race" , "film" , "International formula car race" , "International motor-race" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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