Paris–Madrid race

See also: 1911 Paris to Madrid air race

The Paris–Madrid race^[b] was a city-to-city motor race that began on 24 May 1903. The event was organized by the Automobile Club de France (ACF) and the Automóvil Club Español.

Paris–Madrid race

Date	May 24–27, 1903 (1903-05-24 – 1903-05-27)
Time	3:30 AM (scheduled) 3:45 AM (actual)[1]
Location	Versailles, France
Organized by	Automobile Club de France (ACF) Automóvil Club Español
Participants	220 – 275[a] starters (of 316 entries)[4]
Deaths	6[5]
Non-fatal injuries	>12[5]

The event was infamous for the number of deaths and injuries among both drivers and spectators, and was called off at the end of the first leg in Bordeaux. It was the last city-to-city race of its kind to be held on open, public roads.^[5] Fernand Gabriel, driving a Mors Dauphines, was declared the winner.

Henri Rougier driving his Turcat-Méry 45-hp finished 11th overall, and 9th in the heavy car class

Background

Popularity in motor racing had been growing across Europe since the 1896 Paris–Marseille–Paris, considered the first city-to-city motor race where the winner was determined by finishing time (as opposed to reliability and overall performance in the Paris-Rouen the previous year). Constructors were motivated to increase the power of their cars, with speeds growing from 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h) to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h). Races were still held on public roads, which meant drivers had to avoid poor surfaces, railroad crossings, farm and household animals, bystanders, and other obstacles.^[5][2]

The increase in power led organizers to impose a weight limit of 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) on the "Large" class of cars.^[2] Other classes included "Light" and "Voiturettes".

Race

To maximize the number of cars visible during daylight, the race was scheduled for 3:30 AM. However, it was delayed 15 minutes due to the poor visibility. Drivers would set off one at a time in one-minute intervals.^[2]

Results by class

After starting 168th, Fernand Gabriel was the first driver overall to reach the city of Bordeaux when the race was called off. He completed the stage in 5 hours and 14 minutes at an average speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h)^[1].

The following results were determined by the finishing order at Bordeaux.^[6]

Heavy cars

Pos	Driver	Constructor
1	Fernand Gabriel	Mors
2	Joseph Salleron	Mors
3	Charles Jarrott	De Dietrich

Light cars

Pos	Driver	Constructor
1	Louis Renault	Renault
2	Paul Baras	Darracq
3	Page	Decauville

Voiturettes

Pos	Driver	Constructor
1	Masson	Clement
2	Banlier	Richard-Brasier
3	Louis Wagner	Darracq

Legacy

The race claimed the lives of many notable drivers, including Marcel Renault, one of the founders of Renault.^[7] His brother, Louis Renault finished first in the "Light" car class.

In his memoir, third-place finisher Charles Jarrott suggested that the "deplorable disasters" of the race could have been avoided with better organization.^[8]

See also

• 1896 Paris–Marseille–Paris
• Motorsport before 1906
• Grand Prix motor racing

Notes

1. The total number of entrants who started the race differs across accounts. Estimates include "approximately 220"^[2], "no less than 228"^[3]
2. Also referred to as the 1903 Paris-Madrid, The Race of Death^[2], The Race to Death,^[1] Course Paris-Madrid - ACF Race.^{[citation needed]}