Paris–Madrid race
 | |
| Date | May 24–27, 1903 |
|---|---|
| Time | 3:30 AM (scheduled) 3:45 AM (actual)[1] |
| Location | Versailles, France |
| Organized by |
|
| Participants | 220 – 275[a] starters (of 316 entries)[4] |
| Deaths | 6[5] |
| Non-fatal injuries | >12[5] |
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.
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.
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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]
| Pos | Driver | Constructor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fernand Gabriel | Mors |
| 2 | Joseph Salleron | Mors |
| 3 | Charles Jarrott | De Dietrich |
| Pos | Driver | Constructor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louis Renault | Renault |
| 2 | Paul Baras | Darracq |
| 3 | Page | Decauville |
| 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
Notes
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Northey & Ward 1977, p. 1650.
- ^ a b c d e Skillen, Graham (June 2003). "City to city, dust to dust". Motor Sport. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024.
- ^ "The Paris-Madrid Automobile Race". Scientific American. June 20, 1903. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Rendall 1993, p. 32.
- ^ a b c d Seneca 2003, p. 3.
- ^ Rendall 1996, p. 358.
- ^ Ward & Innes 1974, p. 1848.
- ^ Jarrott 1906, p. 99.
Sources
- Jarrott, Charles (1906). "Paris-Madrid". Ten Years of Motors and Motor Racing (PDF). E. Grant Richards. pp. 99, 165–181.
- Northey, Tom; Ward, Ian, eds. (1974). The World of Automobiles: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Motor Car: Volume 5 Dai/Enf. Vol. 5. New York, N.Y.: Columbia House. pp. 506, 508, 514.
- Northey, Tom; Ward, Ian, eds. (1977). The World of automobiles : an illustrated encyclopedia of the motor car : Volume 14 Oil/Pet. Vol. 14. Milwaukee: Purnell Reference Books. p. 1650. ISBN 978-0-8393-6009-4.
- Ward, Ian; Innes, Brian, eds. (1974). The World of Automobiles : An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Motor Car : Volume 16 Ral/Rolla. Vol. 16. New York, N.Y.: Columbia House. pp. 1848, 1850.
- Rendall, Ivan (1993). Chequered Flag: 100 Years of Motor Racing. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. pp. 32–33. 356. ISBN 978-0-297-83220-1.
- Seneca, Michael J. (January 1, 2003). The Fairmount Park Motor Races, 1908-1911. McFarland. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-7864-1665-3. Retrieved August 15, 2025.