This is the oldest race of the world. The leaders of the Automobile Club of France affirm that the test is the direct descendant of the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris of 1895 that was gained by a Panhard, at the speed of 24 Km/h. were organized 8 races of this type and exactly the last one was the calamitous Paris-Madrid in 1903, which it had to be suspended in Bordeaux because of the massacre that took place in the first sections.

Paris-Madrid of 1903

As a result of this disaster competitions were not organized until 1906, year in which a circuit in Le Mans was completed. The new race was baptized with the name “Him Grand Prix”, and was the first test disputed with that name, whose use became general just in 1921. This way, throughout the previous period to World War I, existed a single Great Prize, that was the most important race of the calendar and it was run in several places: Amiens, Dieppe and Lyons…

Drawing of time

In 1908 the organizers decided to enter a period of receso frightened by the Germanic offensive. Three cars German had monopolized the first places and the French pride could not tolerate such offense. Nobody was arranged to organize a race so that the cars stood out German.

During four years the Great Prize disappeared, but in 1912 it returned to the life and in a four became present equipment of Peugeot, whose first figure was the Georges Boillot. The Peugeot was smaller and streamlined than their rivals, their piston displacement was of seven liters and average, whereas the others went up to around the sixteen liters. During the race the Peugeot tigers seemed moving enters elephants. Wherever they ran the Peugeot won and this took to again organize a Great Prize in 1912. The same was developed in Dieppe and the circuit by a fence was due to surround to contain the public who during the fifteen hours that lasted the test jammed next to the track to encourage to the Peugeot.

Tar in the circuit

In this test the circuit was dealt with tar to avoid that much earth rose. This idea was beneficial for the public, but it was a cross for the pilots. The ardent sun of the summer melted tar and the wheels of the cars began to send it against the faces of the pilots of the machines that came behind. Once the tar layer was fused the wheels of the cars began to destroy the surface of the way and the tar rain it followed one of stones and rubble of earth. When mediating the test the runners had the blood-stained faces, the done tires shreds and several cars with broken radiators.
In spite of these difficulties the Georges Boillot he gained the race. The following year its triumph was repeated and the Great Prize became a state subject.

In 1914 the Germans returned to take part in the GP. The French began to feel worried. The race would be the acid test for the Peugeot equipment and its national hero G. Boillot. The test would dispute in Lyons the 4 of 1914 July, (they observe by the date that World War I was imminent). The preparations of the German equipment stayed secret altogether, the peculiar ones by far only could observe like silverplated Mercedes were listed by a group of mechanics who moved military man accurately. The tension increased as the hour of the race approached, the French already thought that don't mention it they would serve his previous profits but they could beat in his own land to Mercedes.

Line to begin with

The circuit had 37 km and had to be crossed in twenty opportunities. Finally and before the anxiety of the French the GP leaved. During the first returns the Mercedes of Max Sailer took the advantage and with a frenetic rate it began to move away, all thought that similar effort would make operate the motor, amen that other Mercedes maintained a rate cautious.

Boillot and the Peugeot equipment also knew that Sailer lead too much fast, but could not let move away it much and if the motor were not broken? , in the fourth return happened what all wished, the motor of Mercedes sharpshooting exploded, Boillot was in the advantage and the crowd began to vociferate of enthusiasm, the tension became loose. This did not last much since the Mercedes rest leaved to the hunting of the Peugeot. In spite of the multiple attacks, the Peugeot stayed in the end and the returns passed before the permanent Germanic pressure.

The three Mercedes

When beginning the last return the Peugeot began to raise to temperature giving sample of a mechanical exhaustion, at that time were no loudspeakers that announced what it happened in the circuit, therefore, the public did not have more remedy than to remain in silence in the hope of the arrival of first. The hopes of all the presents were in the hands of Boillot and its Peugeot, but the three silver-plated machines that were in race stepped on the heels to him. Finally a dust cloud in the way was descried. The winner approached, the crowd prepared itself to send the shout of The France lives! , when between the dust cloud the forms of the Mercedes of Lautenschlager could be distinguished, the other Mercedes followed to him and Boillot? , its machine had succumbed and was prisoner to few kilometers of the arrival.

The silence that followed the triumph of Lautenschlager was evidently hostile. Just when he arrived the first French car the public reacted with songs. The French never accepted the defeat with impartiality. Thirty days later World War I began.