The Paris Races
These were the first proper automobile races, and were used by manufacturers
to show off their vehicles. Paris was used as the starting point for all the
races, and the first, from Paris to Rouen, was organised by the Paris
newspaper Le Petit Journal in 1894 for 200 UK pounds in prize
money. The last Paris race was to Madrid, but was halted by the French
government in Bordeaux due to the high number of accidents involving
pedestrians. Open road racing was subsequently banned.
Click on the year in the box below to see the results of the Paris Races.
Other races held elsewhere are also included.