Racing, Electrfied

An axiom that may have been coined long after the first motor race ever run remains as compelling today: “Racing improves the breed”.

- Anthony Long

Arguably it was motor racing that set the world on the path to internal combustion petrol power.

On July 22, 1894, 21 cars lined up for a race from Paris to Rouen, 126km away. After an 8 am start, a generous 90-minute lunch break en route, and numerous other stops, the first car rolled into Rouen at close to 6 pm.

No official timekeeping was done, but first place was awarded to a Panhard & Levassor and a Peugeot, both powered by the petrol engine Karl Benz patented in 1888. A steam-powered vehicle built, driven and owned by Count Albert de Dion of France was demoted to second place, despite finishing first because it needed a mechanic and driver to run.

Steam power had been beaten and petrol was set to rule the motoring world for more than a century. Those with any concern for the environment may have been aghast at that result. However, had the coal-powered De Dion, Bouton & Trépardoux company steam tractor won, things would have been much worse.

Racing indeed improves the breed.

Since that first race in 1894, innovation on the world’s racetracks has led to increased performance and safety technology in road cars. Technologies we now take for granted, such as rear-view mirrors, turbocharging, ABS and disc brakes, all-wheel-drive, and double overhead camshafts, all migrated to road cars after being tested in competition.