1894 Paris-Rouen Race
This was the world's first motor race
On July 22, 1894, the Parisian magazine Le Petit Journal organised what is considered to be the world's first car race from Paris to Rouen.
Pierre Giffard, the paper's editor, promoted it as a Competition for Horseless Carriages (Concours des Voitures sans Chevaux) that were not dangerous, easy to drive, and cheap during the journey. The main prize was for the first across the finish line in Rouen. 102 people paid the 10 franc entrance fee.
69 cars started the 50 km (31 mi) selection event that would show which entrants would be allowed to start the main event, the 127 km (79 mi) race from Paris to Rouen. The entrants ranged from serious manufacturers to amateur owners, and only 25 were selected for the main race.
The race started from Porte Maillot and went through the Bois de Boulogne. The distance from Paris to Rouen was 126 km.
The official winners were Peugeot and Panhard as cars were judged on their speed, handling and safety characteristics, and De Dion's steam car needed a stoker which was forbidden.
The order of the finishers was as follows:
- 1. De Dion (Steam) - Count Jules-Albert de Dion
- 2. Peugeot (Petrol) - Georges Lemaitre
- 3. Peugeot (Petrol)
- 4. Panhard et Levassor (Petrol)
- 5. Peugeot (Petrol)
- 6. Le Brun (Petrol)
- 7. Panhard et Levassor (Petrol)
- 8. Panhard et Levassor (Petrol)
- 9. De Bourmont (Petrol)
- 10. Peugeot (Petrol)
- 11. Vacheron (Gasoline)
- 12. Peugeot (Gasoline)
- 13. Panhard et Levassor (Petrol)
- 14. Roger (Petrol)
- 15. Le Blant (Steam)