This episode explores the early days of competitive automobiles, beginning with late 19th century road races between cities that sparked interest in the new horseless carriages. It charts the evolution of car racing from amateur events on public roads to regulated competitions on purpose-built speedway circuits. Key milestones are highlighted, from pioneer races like the 1895 Paris-Bordeaux-Paris rally to the iconic early trackways built for flat-out speed. The dangerous nature of early racing led to safety improvements as the sport matured. This adrenaline-filled history illustrates how car racing grew from reckless origins to the world-famous spectator sport we know today.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI