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 […]
In the summer of 1894, the world saw its first fully fledged automobile race, the Paris-Rouen ‘Competition for Horseless Carriages’. The race was organised by Pierre Giffard, the Editor of Le Petit Journal; a Parisian daily newspaper than ran from 1863 to 1944. The paper was known for setting up competitions to help boost sales of certain products, though none were likely as successful as this one. There were prizes […]