Motorsports is a unique sport that is relatively recent by the standards of human history. However, motorsport has come a long way during this time, from the first gasoline engine to modern racing for hundreds of kilometers. Today, we will look at the history of this amazing sport and answer the question of what the future holds for motorsports. Put your helmets on, buckle up and let’s go!

An Early History

The first internal combustion engine was invented in the 1880s. Not surprisingly, it created a sensation in people’s minds, and everyone started thinking about how to use the new technology for entertainment (and they say that war is the engine of progress; how could it not be so?).

The first organized automobile competition occurred in the mid-90s of the 19th century. Then, racers from Paris to Rouen tested cars’ reliability. The winner’s average speed was an AMAZING 10 miles per hour. That was just the beginning.

A year later, motorsports fans saw a race from Paris to Bordeaux. At the same time, the first races began in the United States. On Thanksgiving Day cars went from Chicago to Evanston, Illinois. However, it’s hard to say that, at this stage, motorsports was anything widespread.

The Heyday of Motorsports

Racing became the norm in Europe towards the end of the 19th century. Back then, racers in England, Wales, Scotland, France, and Spain reached speeds of over 80 kilometers per hour. The events attracted hundreds of spectators and took place in different parts of the continent. In 1898, the first closed-circuit road race, the Course de Perigueux, took place. The distance was 145 kilometers per lap, which was unique.

But the world wasn’t ready for such a revolution in sport. The roads were not designed for cars, and cattle and hesitant pedestrians often passed in the race areas. The extreme point was the Paris-Madrid race, which the French authorities were forced to stop because of the high number of accidents. This has since become the norm, and most motorsports events from those times have not reached us today. A notable exception is the Mille Miglia race, which was only discontinued in 1957.

Renaissance of Motorsports

Ten years later, the infrastructure for motorsports began to develop in a different direction. The first speedways specially built for motor racing appeared, such as:

  • Brooklands, England – 1906
  • Indianapolis, USA – 1909
  • Monza, Italy – 1922
  • Montleherail, France – 1924.

Races in the Indianapolis 500 format also began. As early as 1911, the speedway hosted its first races, which were immensely popular. They continued all the time, except for breaks caused by the world wars. But motorsports, despite all the difficulties, became recognizable, popular, and a favorite sport by this time. Famous racers became local and world legends.

This is where the real motorsport begins. Now tracks are appearing worldwide, there are various races, and people are flocking to their TV screens and radios to find out if their favorite has won.

What’s Next?

Motorsport doesn’t stand still. Every day, thousands of mechanics worldwide are sweating to improve their cars to beat the merciless physics of an extra mile per hour. Given the speed at which technology is advancing, we can assume that motorsports will be one of the top gainers among all sports. This is just the beginning, and there will be more to come!