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The first real speed race 120 years ago

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Created on June 16, 2015

Text:

Roger Gloor

Photos:

Archiv Roger Gloor

Roger-Benz (1895) - One of two Roger-Benz models - pictured here with the crank steering wheel probably operated from the left for the first time

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Panhard et Levassor (1895) - The first winning car to go down in history - with Daimler engine and starting number 5

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Summary

From June 10 to 12, 1895 - almost exactly 120 years ago - the first speed race was held. It was won by French cars with German petrol engines. Electric and steam cars were left behind. This report looks back and describes events, technology and special features.

This article contains the following chapters

Steam versus combustion engine
More realistic than the first time
Success with little weight
Groundbreaking event
Further information

Estimated reading time: 4min

Preview (beginning of the article)

From June 10 to 12, 1895 - almost exactly 120 years ago - the first speed race was held. It was won by French cars with German petrol engines. Electric and steam cars were left behind. At first, it was the steam car developed in England that became a competitor to the horse-drawn bus. Then, as in England, resourceful minds in France began to construct smaller steam vehicles that were suitable for individual transportation. It was technically motivated entrepreneurs who built these early automobiles and used them to provide the upper classes, made up of industrialists, aristocrats and landowners, with an exciting new pastime. This happened in the early 90s of the 19th century.

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