World’s first motor race

22 July 1894 was a seminal day in the history of the motor car, when French newspaper Le Petit Journal staged the world’s first motor ‘race’: the Competition for Horseless Carriages. It wasn’t officially billed as a race, but rather ‘an exhibition for the capabilities of the motor car, testing reliability, design and practicality’.

The ‘race’ was run from Paris and ran north-westward along the Seine valley, ending 79 miles away in the Normandy city of Rouen. Paris-based Le

Petit Journal had a reputation for boosting sales through unusual promotions – long-distance bicycle racing, such as the 700-mile Paris to Brest-and-back-again race in 1891 and 1892, plus a road walking race – so, with the advent of motorised vehicles, it saw an opportunity in a Competition for Horseless Carriages. A FF5000 prize was to be awarded to the winner, whose car would be judged on its ‘ease of operation’ as well as its performance.

Of 102 competitors entered, only 26 were listed to start, which was further reduced to 21 when five of those fell by the wayside after the first three days of qualifying. Manufacturer Panhard et Lavassor entered its own cars, while Peugeots driven by Albert Lemaître and Auguste Doriot, plus the wealthy industrialist Count Jules-Albert de Dion (pictured above) in a car of his own manufacture, all led the field as the competitors left Paris and travelled the rough roads en route to Rouen. Steam-driven and petrol-powered vehicles had been entered, along with others supposedly propelled by gravity, gas or compressed air – these latter being among the no-shows.

Of 21 starters, 17 finished the route, with Count de Dion declared the winner after six hours and 48 minutes at an average speed of 12mph. He was then demoted to second because his steam car was deemed to have infringed the ‘ease of operation’ criterion by requiring a stoker.