Christopher Ward C7 Rapide Chronograph, Owner'S Handbook Manual

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France - the first Grand Prix
Grand Prix motor racing (Grand Epreuve or Great Trial in France) originated in car loving France
with the first official race being held on public roads just outside Le Mans on June 26th 1906.
The race took place over two days (the cars going into a parc ferme
overnight) and was won by Hungarian Ferenc Szisz in a Renault
Ak in a winning time more than half an hour ahead of second
placed Felice Nazzaro in his Fiat.
The circuit used was roughly triangular in shape, each lap
covering 105 kilometres (65 miles). Six laps were to be run
each day, and each lap took approximately an hour using
the relatively primitive cars of the day.
During this race a number of people, both drivers and
pedestrians - including Marcel Renault - were killed and the
race was stopped by the French authorities at Bordeaux. Further
road based events were banned.