logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2021
11m 34s

The World’s First Motor Race

The Retrospectors
About this episode
Billed as a concours for ‘horseless carriages’, the Paris–Rouen competition which took place on 22nd July, 1894, is now widely considered the world’s first motor race.  Only 21 vehicles qualified. Some of them had solid iron tyres. One was an eight passenger wagonette that weighed four tonnes. The car that came in first - a 20 horsepower steam tractor - was ... Show More
Up next
Jul 28
When Zombies Came To Hollywood
Independent horror film ‘White Zombie’, starring Bela Lugosi, premiered in New York City’s Rivoli Theatre on July 28th, 1932. It marked the first time that zombies had featured in a Hollywood picture - albeit as the result of an evil voodoo master in Haiti rather than a condition ... Show More
12m 26s
Jul 27
Meet Bugs Bunny 🥕
Warner Brothers’ biggest animated star, Bugs Bunny, made his cartoon debut on July 27th, 1940, in A Wild Hare - though, at the time, he didn’t officially have a name… Though previous versions of the ‘wabbit had appeared in earlier Looney Tunes shorts, this incarnation - directed ... Show More
12m 50s
Jul 24
Finding Machu Picchu
American professor Hiram Bingham "discovered" Machu Picchu on 24th July, 1911 - though he initially misidentified it as Vilcabamba, the last stronghold of the Inca civilization during the Spanish conquest. Unlike Vilcabamba, Machu Picchu was built at the peak of the Inca Empire's ... Show More
12m 23s
Recommended Episodes
May 2021
A Race Across the World: From New York to Paris in 1908
<p>In February of 1908, racing teams from multiple nations assembled for an unusual and ambitious race -- they planned to drive from Times Square across the planet to France. These were the early days of the automobile, and success was anything but guaranteed. In today's special ... Show More
1h 3m
Feb 2024
Peking to Paris: the world’s first great motor race
In June 1907, five plucky teams departed the Chinese capital and embarked on a 9,317-mile automobile race to Paris. Traversing scorching deserts and perilous mountain passes in ill-equipped vehicles, the participants regularly risked their lives – but their tenacity would transfo ... Show More
32m 20s
Jun 2022
348 - The 1907 Peking to Paris Motor Race
<p>The week's episode is about the wild story of the Peking (now Beijing) to Paris motor race. Joining us for this epic adventure are Cass Paige and Joel Duscher from Sans Pants Radio, enjoy!</p><br><p>Support the show and get rewards like bonus episodes: <a href="https://dogoonp ... Show More
1h 58m
Oct 2013
What is the world's oldest (running) car?
<p>With back-to-back seating, a steam-powered engine and no steering wheel, the 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trapardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout doesn't look like it has much in common with the modern automobile. Yet after its discovery and restoration, the world's oldest (running) car ... Show More
34m 31s
Feb 2022
329 - The 1955 Le Mans Disaster (with Cass Paige)
<p>The 24 hour of Le Mans has been described as "probably the world’s best-known automobile race." But in 1955 it was rocked by an accident so devastating, it changed the world of motor racing forever. Joining us on this episode is special guest Cass Paige.</p><br><p>Support the ... Show More
1h 51m
Jun 2025
Le Mans 55: The Deadliest Race
The annual Le Mans 24 Hour race brings in hundreds of thousands of spectators to watch the giants of motor racing put their endurance to the ultimate test. Every year, technology improves and the cars get a little faster. In 1955, that push for ultimate speed results in a catastr ... Show More
39m 35s
Apr 2020
10 Least Likely and Weird Race Cars of All Time
<p>Race cars often take on some outlandish designs and rule-bending technology in their never-ending quest to go fast. Meet some of the more notable characters in the ragtag gang of unlikely speed demons. </p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.ihear ... Show More
53m 44s
Aug 2016
Board Track Racing
<p>At the start of the 20th century, motorcycles and cars competed on enormous, steeply banked wooden racetracks called motordromes. Listen in to find out why these popular tracks quickly earned a much more ominous nickname: murderdrome.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choic ... Show More
54m 5s
Feb 2022
S1 Ep120: The Most Exciting 24 Hours In Sports
The Le Mans 24-Hour Race is not just one of the most famous auto races in the world, it’s one of the most famous sporting events-- period. What makes Le Mans so special? Why is it often referred to as the “most thrilling 24 hours in motorsports?” Today on Past Gas, how Le Mans be ... Show More
44m 36s
Oct 2020
Autosport selects the greatest competition car of all time
Autosport takes on the challenge of picking the greatest competition car of all time in the final episode of the Autosport 70 podcast series. The first issue of Autosport magazine appeared on 25 August 1950 and as part of our celebrations this year we have selected the greatest ... Show More
59m 20s