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Just in time for the Rolex at Daytona, Bobby gives us a fascinating and entertaining tour of the world's first 24 hour automobile races.-Editor-

By 1905, the auto racing industry was experiencing explosive growth in Europe as well as the United States. While the Gordon Bennett races were winding down in Europe, France was getting ready to launch its own “Grand Prix” race in 1906, while Sicily would launch its famed Targa Florio the same year. In America, the Vanderbilt Cup road races were just taking off. But another form of racing was gaining interest - racing against the clock.

Part 3 of Bob Brannon's epic work "History of Racing" takes us to America around the turn of the century as Bob works his way up to 24 hour races before the Rolex.-Editor-

The proliferation of city-to-city races in Europe at the dawn of auto racing was not surprising, given the advanced state of the road system in place at the time. The first paved streets were in Ur (in present-day Iraq) in 4000 BC. The Roman road system spanned more than 250,000 miles, including more than 50,000 miles of paved roads. In Gaul (present-day France and Belgium), more than 13,000 miles of road existed, and in Britain at least 2,500 miles were in use below Hadrian’s Wall.

Since ‘spin’ entered our political vocabulary, marketers seem to have concluded that ever more outlandish claims can be made by candidates, sports promoters, and businesses.

There is a point, however, when spin becomes falsehood, with the potential to do more long-term damage than provide short term gain.

Here's Part 2 of Bob Brannon's seminal History of Racing.  We haven't gotten to 24 hour races, yet. Are you surprised? We're  not. Bobby found lots of other very important (and entertaining) stuff we need to know first. If you haven't yet, start with Part 1, here. 

When Nicolaus Otto, of Deutz, Germany received a patent for his internal combustion engine on August 14, 1877, the Second Industrial Revolution was in full swing.

Bob Brannon called the other day to propose an article on the history of 24 hour automobile races, pointing out they go back at least to 1905 and Columbus, Ohio, USA...whatever the French may think. I said sure, thinking it would be a good lead-up to the Rolex 24 at Daytona at the end of the month. Bobby being just a little bit "off center," I was only mildy surprised when the following landed in my in-box.
 
"What's this?" I asked. "I was expecting a history of 24 hour races."

"Well, I kept looking for an opening paragraph, and there was always something earlier I felt I had to deal with," said Bobby. "I promise, I'll get to the 24 hour thing." 

On reading this entertaining first part, I'm more than a little pleased it worked out this way. I think you will be, too. Enjoy. (And I promise, we will get to the part about 24 hour automobile races.) -Editor-

Racing before the Automobile

Man’s desire for speed, coupled with his fierce competitive nature, was expressed in many forms of racing long before the invention of the internal combustion engine. No doubt, Ned Neanderthal saw the need for speed when a saber-toothed tiger ran him down and enjoyed a mid-day meal. Similarly, in a cave near Les Eyzies, France, CroMagnon Pierre learned about speed the first time his woman whispered, “Faster!” in his ear.