No 5 The Birth of Motor Racing

The early days of motoring, together with the first motor sport events, are largely forgotten today. In order to breathe new life into that era and to link the historical events described, the central characters in this book are fictitious creations. The parts they enact in the story though are those of the real people who participated in the actual events that have all been carefully researched. The main events covered are the 1895 Paris–Bordeaux–Paris race, the 1896 Paris–Marseilles-Paris race, the Tunbridge Wells Show and the activities of Harry Lawson. The author believes that by taking these few liberties with a few names and by using the artifice of fictional linking, he is able to introduce a wider audience to the history being enacted on those quiet open roads at the dawn of motoring. Levassor’s epic two day drive, the city to city races and other events described here are some of the most momentous motoring achievements to have ever taken place. 36 Illustrations