Circle Genealogic and Historic Champanellois

Association "Law 1901" of Saint-Genès-Champanelle, 63 , France

1905 - The sixth edition of the race thus returned to France in 1905 organized by the Automobile Club of France (ACF). On proposal of the brothers MICHELIN Edouard and André, the circuit of Auvergne was selected in February. The eliminating heats took place in april and the race itself was held on July 5, 1905.

The french eliminating heats as from april 1905 :
24 competitors representing 10 racing teams :

The french manufacturers could present to 3 pilots at the eliminating heats.

See the mechanical specifications of the race cars of the french eliminating heats.

Théry, Caillois and Duray will be qualified for the race of July 5, 1905, while arriving 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the time of the eliminating heats on June 16, 1905. Only 15 competitors will finish the heat. A price of 100 000 francs will reward the winner poured by one of the members of the Automobile Club of France.

The departure on July 5, of the final, will see 18 competitors of 6 different nations clashing :

Every country had to raise on his vehicles a color so that the spectators recognize the nationality of this one : black pour Italy, green for Great Britain, red for the United States of America, white for Germany and blue for France. (nonknown color for Austria, like Germany or the yellow of Belgium not present this time ?)

See the portrait gallery
of the 18 competitors from 1905

Théry and his mechanic Muller will gain the victory after a hard race into 7.02 min with an average of 78 km/h to traverse the 548 kilometers of the race over the circuit of Auvergne (4 turns of 147 km).

Only 10 competitors out of the 18 at the departure, will finish the race :

It was the last edition of the motor race Gordon-Bennett.

Léon THERY will die at the 30 years age in 1909, victim of phtisis.

By the continuation, the Automobile Club of France will organize its race the GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE on the circuit of Sarthe.

James Gordon-Bennett organized then a cup of the airships in 1906 to 1909, that of aviation before to die in 1918.

Gordon Bennett Cup of 1905 and the collar of mareno

The series Branger

the series VDC (Veuve Coudert et Compagnie) without number

the series with number L'Hirondelle, Paris

The cup of the TOUT PETITS