On July 22, 1894, “le Petit Journal” organized the first automobile race.
–
The journalist, Pierre Giffard, of the Parisian daily is at the origin of the competition.
The rule
In December 1893, “le Petit Journal” gave the rules for the international “horse-less carriages” competition.
All mechanically powered cars with four seats can be selected.
To win the endurance race and receive 5,000 francs, engineers and journalists from the Parisian daily judge the vehicles on three criteria: safety, comfort and their price, which must be affordable.
Out of one hundred and two registered, twenty-one were on the starting line on July 22, 1894.
The race from Paris to Rouen
At 8 am, cars leave every 30 seconds from Boulevard Maillot in Paris to join the Champ de Mars in Rouen. Several steam-powered vehicles give up.
The pilots take more than six hours to reach the finish line.
–
