Throughout the history of motorsports, we’ve seen all sorts of vehicles used to compete in order to answer that timeless question, who is the fastest? We’ve seen cars, bikes, boats and even planes compete in one way or another. But surely that can’t be it? Surely there are more bizarre and interesting competitions to be had? Well look no further my friend because here we’re going to take a look […]

When it came to early motor competitions there was no better way to test the chops of your vehicles like a good city-to-city race. These kinds of races were taking place all over Europe and America from 1894 onwards; however, by 1907 it was time to crank it up a notch. No race would test the mettle of these automobiles like the Peking to Paris, a course that ran 9,317 […]

Almost a year after the world saw its first ever motoring contest, the Paris-Rouen, the Chicago Times-Herald newspaper decided to emulate the competitions success and organise what would be the first automobile race in the United States. The paper announced the race on July 10th 1895 with prizes totalling at $5000, which in today’s money would roughly equate to $147,000. Not only was the race a publicity stunt to boost […]

It was the roaring twenties, the gap between the upper and lower classes was as strong as ever and for the upper classes there was no hobby more exhilarating than the thrill of motor racing. Europe was crazy about the sport and Britain were doing everything they could to be a part of it. The British Bentley brand became renowned for its reliability and a group of some of the […]

Supposedly one of these auto races actually gave birth to the now widely known ‘British racing green’ colour. It was decided, after a suggestion made by Count Elliot Zborowski, that each country competing in the Gordon Bennett Cup auto race would adopt a specific colour. Great Britain made its first entry into the competition in 1902 and the colours usually associated with the British flag (Red, White and Blue) had […]

In 1904 William Kissam Vanderbilt II introduced the world to the Vanderbilt Cup. It was an international racing event with an eye to motivate American car manufacturers into taking part in race culture. A large cash price was offered to the winners of the race and it drew in competitors from both America and Europe, some being previous competitors of Europe’s own Gordon Bennett Cup. The first race was held […]

The International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, better known as the Isle of Man TT, is a motorcycle race that has taken place on the island for over one hundred years. It’s often labelled one of the most dangerous races in the world and attracts thrill seekers from all over to spectate and take part. The event usually consists of one week of practise and another of races with a […]

Brooklands was the world’s first purpose built motor circuit, opened in 1907 near Weybridge in Surrey, England. The idea was conceived and followed through by an entrepreneur named Hugh F. Locke King. After the Motor Car Act 1903 Britain installed a 20mph speed limit across all of its public roads. In a time where over half the worlds cars were built by the French it became a concern that Britain’s […]

When talking about the beginnings of competitive motor racing, one name stands out above many, Gordon Bennett. The Gordon Bennett Cup was a trophy that was used for several different types of race, from yachts to airplanes, the trophy became the revered prize for any go getting racer. The cups for each sport hold their own merits and all of them were catalysts in the early growth of international motor […]

The land speed record is fairly self explanatory; it’s the highest recorded speed that has been achieved by somebody using a vehicle on land. The record attempts are officiated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile or FIA for short. The FIA is the governing body for many racing events all over the world, along with the licensing and sanctioning of the World Rally Championship, the World Endurance Championship and Formula […]