Exactly 111 years ago...

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Today exactly 111 years ago, on the 2nd of July 1907 the French Grand Prix was organised by Automobile Club de France (AFC), the race is also known as Grand Prix de l'ACF. The Grand Prix took place in Dieppe and is one of the oldest motor races in the world.

The coloured postcards

These two coloured postcards were sent to us a little while ago. We think they are probably part of a series of cards, as they are numbered. The first card number 10 and has the text: Circuit de la Seine- Inférieure Virage de Loridinières written on it. The second card number 5, which can be seen below has the text: Circuit de la Seine-Inférieure Traversée d'Envermeu written on it.

The extremely dangerous circuit

The circuit of Dieppe consisted of public roads through nearby towns (see the map). Which made it extremely dangerous. The race; 10 laps, of (approximately) 47.840 miles, adding up (approximately) 478.400 miles in total. Can you imagine, pre-wars coming with let's say 65 or 70 mph down the village… Unfortunately also this time it went wrong, during the training sessions before the race Albert Clement died during a fatal accident with his 200 hp Clément-Bayard.

The winner!

But there is also good news! The very successful Italian racing driver Felice Nazzaro won the Grand Prix de l'ACF in 6:46:33.0. With his 130 hp Fiat, he drove a whopping 70.61 mph….

The question we would like to ask you: can anyone tell us what cars we see on the postcards?

Words by the editor. Postcards sent in by Philippe Riou. Map from the archive.

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