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.


1894 1895 1896 1897 1898
1899 1900 1901 1902 1903