Photo: Goodwood
In July of 1894 (that's almost 130 years ago to the month) a bunch of strange contraptions and machines lined up at one of the entry points in the city of Paris, Porte Maillot, aiming to travel a total distance of 78 miles (126) and see which of them is faster. The event became known as the Paris-Rouen trial, and it is considered by many to be the world's first organized race between vehicles.
The pioneering competition saw no less than 102 entrants, each of them using contraptions so diverse and strange it must have been quite a sight for those attending. The race had everything, from steam-powered vehicles to gasoline-fueled ones, and even electric contraptions.
Although the distance is something we are able to cover today in less than an hour, the competitors of more than a century ago needed close to seven hours to bridge the gap. The first to reach Rouen, 6 hours 48 minutes after he departed Paris, was Jules-Albert de Dion, who was driving a De Dion-Bouton. The man averaged 11 mph (17 kph) for the distance.
It is this exact race and the way it shaped the decades to come that the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed aims to celebrate. We know that because the organizers have finally announced the theme for the event: Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power.
The theme is, naturally, a nod to both the very diverse machines that lined up for the Paris-Rouen race, but also to the many means of propulsion tried over the years by the automotive industry. That's because "the quest for speed has gone hand-in-hand with developments in engines, propulsion and power. "
As one of the most important yearly gatherings for gearheads, Goodwood will of course try to look at what comes next for the industry, and that's why we expect to see some very impressive and innovative vehicles traveling to Goodwood for the event. A hint at that is the fact that the Festival's historic races will run exclusively on sustainable fuel.
Important people in the wider industry but also racing will take center stage as well. The big names to be honored include Niki Lauda, who would have turned 75 this year, the Shadow team that would have celebrated half a century since winning the Can-Am championship, and Joest Racing, 40 years after they snatched Le Mans.
The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place on the weekend of July 14. We're promised more highlights for the event will be announced in the coming months, so stay tuned to learn more details on what shapes up to be a celebration of motorsport in the purest Goodwood style. And also stay tuned for details on this year's Central Feature, the giant sculpture that will tower over the premises of the British estate.
Although the distance is something we are able to cover today in less than an hour, the competitors of more than a century ago needed close to seven hours to bridge the gap. The first to reach Rouen, 6 hours 48 minutes after he departed Paris, was Jules-Albert de Dion, who was driving a De Dion-Bouton. The man averaged 11 mph (17 kph) for the distance.
It is this exact race and the way it shaped the decades to come that the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed aims to celebrate. We know that because the organizers have finally announced the theme for the event: Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power.
The theme is, naturally, a nod to both the very diverse machines that lined up for the Paris-Rouen race, but also to the many means of propulsion tried over the years by the automotive industry. That's because "the quest for speed has gone hand-in-hand with developments in engines, propulsion and power. "
As one of the most important yearly gatherings for gearheads, Goodwood will of course try to look at what comes next for the industry, and that's why we expect to see some very impressive and innovative vehicles traveling to Goodwood for the event. A hint at that is the fact that the Festival's historic races will run exclusively on sustainable fuel.
Important people in the wider industry but also racing will take center stage as well. The big names to be honored include Niki Lauda, who would have turned 75 this year, the Shadow team that would have celebrated half a century since winning the Can-Am championship, and Joest Racing, 40 years after they snatched Le Mans.
The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place on the weekend of July 14. We're promised more highlights for the event will be announced in the coming months, so stay tuned to learn more details on what shapes up to be a celebration of motorsport in the purest Goodwood style. And also stay tuned for details on this year's Central Feature, the giant sculpture that will tower over the premises of the British estate.
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