Motor racing at the 1900 Summer Olympics

At the 1900 Summer Olympics, as part of the 1900 World's Fair, a series of motor racing events were held. There were fourteen events, five for touring cars, two for small cars, two for taxis, two for delivery vans, two for trucks and two endurance races. Two additional events for motorcycles were held, one endurance event and one standard motorcycle race.
The majority of competitors were French (only one non-French entry was recorded), and given that fact French entrants unsurprisingly won every single event.
==Medals==
Since they were not standard Olympic events, the standard method of gold for first, silver for second and bronze for third was not followed.
For the Paris–Toulouse–Paris races, the winners of the events were given vermeil medals. Silver medals were awarded to those who achieved an average speed of over 60 km/h, and bronze medals were awarded to those who achieved an average speed of over 40 km/h.
For the touring cars, the winner was awarded an "art object". Second place got vermeil medals, third got silver medals and fourth got bronze, and the others races saw a gold medal awarded instead of a piece of art.
Since the results were decided by a jury, multiple entries could gain the same result, and thus, the same prize (this is most evident in the normal trucks, when four entries took gold).
==Results==
===Endurance races===
The Paris–Toulouse–Paris race was the scene of the endurance races, held over 1347 km,Other sources indicate either 1443 km, 1349 km and 1426 km. starting on 25 July. It was held like a rally race; composed of three stages, Montgeron–Toulouse, Toulouse–Limoges and Limoges–Montgeron; with the drivers starting two minutes apart.
There were three races held, one for voitures, one for voiturettes and one for motorcycles (results of the motorcycle race at towards the bottom of the page). Combined, 78 entries were made to the three events, of which 55 started.
Vermeil medals were given to winners, those who averaged 60 km/h (37.28 mph) received a silver medal and those who managed over 40 km/h (24.85 mph) received a bronze medal.
====Voitures====
Nineteen cars started the race, and only nine reached Toulouse. These nine made it all the way back to Paris, with Levegh winning. In terms of stages, Levegh won the first, at an average speed of 68.18 km/h (42.37 mph); Pinson won the remaining two, at 65.46 km/h (40.67 mph) and 69.84 km/h (43.40 mph). Pinson arrived in Paris one and a half hours after Levegh, but just 50 seconds ahead of Carl Voight, the third-placed man receiving two extra prizes of 500 F for only just missing out on second. Eighth-placed Eugene Brillé was ineligible for any awards as his car owner was on the jury panel. The only non-French driver in the event, Selwyn Edge, retired.
Pos 	No. 	Driver 	Car 	Time/Retired 	Award
Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers
1 	6 	Levegh 	 	20 h 50 m 09 s 	8,000 F, vermeil medal
2 	13 	Pinson 	 	22 h 11 m 01 s 	6,000 F, silver medal
3 	2 	Carl Voight 	 	22 h 11 m 51 s 	6,000 F, silver medal
4 	4 	Etienne Giraud François Giraud	 	22 h 55 m 32 s 	4,000 F, bronze medal
5 	75 	Antony 	 	26 h 46 m 27 s 	3,000 F, bronze medal
6 	15 	Baron Adrien de Turckheim 	 	37 h 35 m 36 s 	2,000 F
7 	62 	Ravel 	 	41 h 00 m 29 s 	1,000 F
8 	27 	Eugene Brillié 	 	43 h 30 m 08 s 	
9 	5 	Gillies Hougières 	 	Arrived 	
Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers
DNF 	1 	René de Knyff 	 	Punctures 	
DNF 	3 	Léonce Giradot 	 	 	
DNF 	8 	Comte Bozon de Périgord 	 	 	
DNF 	11 	Lefebvre 	 	 	
DNF 	14 	Selwyn Edge 	 	 	
DNF 	15 	De Lorys 	 	 	
DNF 	42 	Cuchelet 	 	 	
DNF 	73 	Gaveau 	 	Ran into ditch 	
DNF 	74 	Huguet 	 	 	
Plus one unknown starter	Plus one unknown starter	Plus one unknown starter 	Plus one unknown starter	Plus one unknown starter	Plus one unknown starter
====Voiturettes====
Of the eight starters, three reached Paris. Stage winning times were 36.42 km/h (22.63 mph), 42.30 km/h (26.28 mph) and 42.42 km/h (26.36 mph). Stage winners are not known. Four additional 500 F awards were not given out.
Pos 	No. 	Driver 	Car 	Time/Retired 	Award
Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers
1 	21 	Louis Renault 	 	34 h 13 m 38 s	4,000 F, vermeil medal
2 	72 	Schrader 	-Aster 	45 h 49 m 35 s	2,000 F
3 	22 	Grus 	 	57 h 24 m 43 s	1,000 F
Non-finishers	Non-finishers	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers
DNF 	20 	Marcel Renault	 	collision 	
DNF 	38 	Mercier 	Gladiator 	 	
DNF 	51 	Jean Corre 	Fouillaron 	 	
DNF 	69 	Cottereau 	Cottereau 	collision 	
DNF 	70 	Camus 	Teste-Morin 	 	
===Touring cars===
There were four voitures de tourisme races.
All cars entered weighed in excess of 400 kg (881.85 lb), and raced around a 50 km (31.09 mile) track. Competitors had to make three laps of the track near Vincennes (one lap in the morning and two in the afternoon) for 150 km (93.21 miles) a day from May 14–19, except for May 17. Speed limits were in place – maximum 30 km/h (18.61 mph) normally, 20 km/h (12.43 mph) in urbanised areas.
46 entries were made, 33 turned up, and seven were excluded from prizes – one due to belonging to a jury member, three that exceeded speed limits, and three that weighed under 400 kg.
Winners were awarded a piece of art. Second got a vermeil medal, third a silver medal and fourth a bronze medal. Since there was only one entrant for the more than six seats category, the winner of that category was not awarded the art object.
====Two seats====
Twelve participants started the race. won the first prize, and overall, six prizes were awarded.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Art object 	15 	Société des Automobiles Peugeot
Vermeil medal 	29 	
Silver medal 	13 	
Silver medal 	38 	
Bronze medal 	6 	
Bronze medal 	34 	
Plus six other starters	Plus six other starters	Plus six other starters
====Four seats====
This race had fifteen starters, and due to the rearranging of art object prizes following the lack of entries in the largest car category, the two pieces of art were awarded to and . Eight prizes were awarded.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Art object 	30 	
Art object 	20 	
Vermeil medal 	17 	Brouhot
Vermeil medal 	22 	Hurtu
Silver medal 	11 	Georges Richard
Silver medal 	39 	Serpollet
Silver medal 	44 	Bardon
Bronze medal 	37 	Société de Mécanique Industrielle d'Anzin
Plus seven other starters	Plus seven other starters	Plus seven other starters
====Six seats====
Five entries started this race, and three were awarded prizes, the top prize going to .
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Art object 	42 	
Vermeil medal 	18 	Brouhot
Silver medal 	31 	Delahaye
Plus two other starters	Plus two other starters	Plus two other starters
====More than six seats====
With just only entry making its way to the start, the organisers chose to award the second prize, the vermeil medal, and not the first prize, in this race, to .
Prize 	No.	Entrant
Vermeil medal	43 	
===Taxis and delivery vans===
Winners were awarded the gold medal, second got a silver medal. No other medals were awarded.
All entrants were required to have cargo capacity of up to 1,200 kg (2,645.5 lb). Cars were required to complete a 30 km (18.64 miles) course twice a day for 60 km (37.28 miles) on 6–11 August (but not the 9 August). All fourteen entries started the races.
====Petrol taxis====
Just three taxis were entered, and two received a prize, winning the gold medal.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Gold medal 	6 	
Silver medal 	15 	
Plus one other starter	Plus one other starter	Plus one other starter
====Electric taxis====
Six vehicles were entered, and the gold medal was shared by two Krieger entries. Winner Louis Krieger was runner-up's Charles Jeantaud's mechanic in the 1895 Paris–Bordeaux–Paris race.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Gold medal 	7 	Krieger
Gold medal 	9 	Krieger
Silver medal 	14 	Jeantaud
Plus three other starters	Plus three other starters	Plus three other starters
====Petrol delivery vans====
Three vehicles were entered, and Brouhot won.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Gold medal 	4 	Brouhot
Silver medal 	17 	De Dietrich
Plus one other starter	Plus one other starter	Plus one other starter
====Electric delivery vans====
Three entries raced, and Krieger won a second gold medal.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Gold medal 	8 	Krieger
Plus two other starters	Plus two other starters	Plus two other starters
===Small cars===
Both events were held for two-seater cars, one for under 250 kg and one for under 400 kg. Nineteen entries were made, but only twelve started.
They competed the same program as the touring cars, but on 13–18 August (excluding the 16 August).
====Under 250 kg====
Gladiator entries won the gold medal.
Prize 	No.	Entrant
Gold medal 	12 	Gladiator
Gold medal 	13 	Gladiator
Gold medal 	14 	Gladiator
Silver medal	4 	Georges Richard
====Under 400 kg====
 won, while eight total entries received medals.
Prize 	No.	Entrant
Gold medal 	1 	
Gold medal 	2 	
Vermeil medal	6 	Outhenin-Chalandre
Vermeil medal	7 	Outhenin-Chalandre
Vermeil medal	8 	Outhenin-Chalandre
Silver medal 	3 	Hanzer
Silver medal 	18 	Fernandez
Bronze medal 	15 	Créanche
===Trucks===
====Small trucks====
The small trucks followed the same program as the taxis and delivery cars, from 17–22 September (excluding the 20 September). They were required to have a minimal carrying capacity of 100 kg (220.5 lb). Twelve entries were made, and ten started. De Dion-Bouton, co-founded by Comte Albert de Dion, won.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Gold medal 	3 	De Dion-Bouton
Gold medal 	2 	
Vermeil medal 	9 	Gillet-Forest
Vermeil medal 	11 	Ricker
Bronze medal 	5 	Fernandez
Bronze medal 	7 	Fouillaron
Plus four other starters	Plus four other starters	Plus four other starters
====Normal trucks====
This was for trucks intended for carrying passengers or carrying capacity of 1,250 kg (2,755.8 lb). Taking place from 8–13 October (excluding 11 October), the trucks had to complete 50 km (31.07 miles). Thirteen entries were made, twelve competed, and eight completed the event. Four entries shared the top prize of the gold medal.
Prize 	No. 	Entrant
Gold medal 	7 	De Dion-Bouton
Gold medal 	3 	Panhard-Levassor
Gold medal 	8 	De Dion-Bouton
Gold medal 	9 	
Vermeil medal 	4 	Panhard-Levassor
Vermeil medal 	13 	Ricker
Silver medal 	10 	De Dietrich
Plus one other finisher 	Plus one other finisher 	Plus one other finisher
Plus four other non-finishers	Plus four other non-finishers	Plus four other non-finishers
==Motorcycle results==
===Endurance race===
Of the 28 starters, nine reached Toulouse, and one dropped out in the final stage. Stage winning times were 58.56 km/h (36.39 mph), 57.12 km/h (35.49 mph) and 51.60 km/h (32.06 mph). Six additional prizes of 500 F were not awarded.
Pos 	No. 	Driver 	Car 	Time/Retired 	Award
Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers 	Finishers
1 	29 	Georges Teste 	De Dion 	23 h 54 m 01 s 	2,000 F, vermeil medal
2 	31 	Collignon 	De Dion 	27 h 28 m 32 s 	1,500 F, bronze medal
3 	28 	Bardin 	De Dion 	28 h 00 m 26 s 	1,000 F, bronze medal
4 	25 	Gasté 	Soncin 	30 h 32 m 30 s 	500 F, bronze medal
5 	30 	Gleizes 	De Dion 	36 h 19 m 14 s 	500 F
6 	65 	Fournier 	De Dion 	42 h 59 m 19 s 	500 F
7 	58 	Durand 	Soncin 	70 h 31 m 40 s 	500 F
8 	64 	Vial 	De Dion 	arrived 	
9 	37 	Demester 	Aster 	arrived 	
Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers 	Non-finishers
DNF 	23 	Osmont 	Aster 	 	
DNF 	24 	Henri Tart 	De Dion 	 	
DNF 	26 	Bonnard 	Werner Bicycle 	 	
DNF 	33 	Levasseur 	De Dion 	 	
DNF 	35 	Joyeux 	Soncin 	 	
DNF 	36 	Laurens 	Soncin 	 	
DNF 	43 	Marcellin 	Buchet 	 	
DNF 	44 	Jean-Philippe Beconnais 	Soncin 	 	
DNF 	49 	Villemain 	Soncin 	 	
DNF 	53 	Perrault 	De Dion 	 	
DNF 	54 	Battaillie 	Aster 	 	
DNF 	55 	De Liste 	Soncin 	 	
DNF 	56 	Clement 	Ardent 	 	
DNF 	63 	Caille 	Battaillie 	 	
Plus five unknown starters	Plus five unknown starters	Plus five unknown starters	Plus five unknown starters	Plus five unknown starters	Plus five unknown starters
===Standard race===
Between 18– 23 June, except for 21 June, motorcyclists had to complete 70 laps of the track at Lac Daumesnnil in Vincennes, 30 in the morning and 40 in the afternoon, giving a daily total of 60 km (37.28 miles). Thirteen entries were made, and Werner shared the first prize with three entries.
Prize 	No.	Entrant
Gold medal 	11 	Werner
Gold medal 	1 	
Gold medal 	2 	
Gold medal 	3 	
Silver medal	4 	Créanche
Bronze medal	7 	Renaux
Bronze medal	8 	Luc
==Notes==
==External links==
* 
Category:Pre-championship