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In 1903, the race took place in Paris - Madrid, which became a turning point in the history of motor sport. In these races participated huge number of cars with high average speeds. Homemade 137 large and light vehicles, 33 small cars and 54 motorcycles - only 224 cars. Many companies - "Mors", "De Dietrich", "Pan hard Levassor," "Mercedes" - recorded on the race for 12-15 cars. The average speed for the first time has passed for 100 km / h (see Table 1.). The car "Renault" received the second prize, despite the fact that it was a light car. His average speed was nearly 100 km / h. Severe category of cars to reach a maximum speed of 125-130 km / h. High speed was the cause of many accidents, especially in populated areas, located in the highway, but which followed the cars. During the races in Paris continuously received information about the accident that led to publish a special executive order about the end of races at Bordeaux. An inquiry committee appointed by Parliament to investigate the causes of accidents came to the unanimous conclusion that the race between the cities is a dangerous form of automotive competition.
Beginning in 1903, all road races held on closed trails of limited length, closed to outside traffic. "Attempts to revive the race maenads cities, made after the war of 1914-1918. Each time ended in failure.
Supporters of races on circular routes existed before the race Paris - Madrid, they advocated a non-stop racing at a greater distance without intermediate neutral time. In this way, cars and drivers would expose a more stringent test. In deference to these wishes, the Belgian Automobile Club organized in 1902 race on a closed route in the Ardennes (Circuit des Ardennes). A series of races in the Ardennes at once became popular and attracted many participants. It just was a prototype for all subsequent races on closed trails of limited length with multiple passages steep. Particular success race in the Ardennes had in 1906, when the first five competitors have given the average speed above 100 km / h.
Race type 1 km to determine the maximum speed and the establishment of an absolute speed record began with the 1898 History of the absolute record is given in Sec. X, here we consider the development of road races that have more essential for motor vehicles.
At the beginning of the century begins a record long-distance races, they reach higher velocities than in road races. In 1905, Fletcher on the car, "Lorraine-Dietrich," set the record at 100 miles (160 km), going the distance with an average speed of 123.6 km / h. The car "Lorraine-Dietrich" belonged to the class of 1000 kg and had a four-cylinder engine (4 X 155 X 170) with 80 liters. Each cylinder has four automatic inlet valves, ignition magnetos were carried out from low voltage to the gap (with a chopper inside the combustion chamber). Transmission consists of a four-gearbox and chain drive to the rear wheels. |
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