CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 2 HISTORY People wanted to race cars almost as soon as the People wanted to race cars almost as soon as the machines were invented The first official automobile machines were invented The first official automobile race took place on July 22 1894 A French newspaper race took place on July 22 1894 A French newspaper had 21 drivers race 78 miles 126 km from Paris to Rouan had 21 drivers race 78 miles 126 km from Paris to Rouan had 21 drivers race 78 miles 126 km from Paris to Rouan France Albert Lemaître in a Peugeot was the official France Albert Lemaître in a Peugeot was the official winner with an average speed of 11 mph 18 kph winner with an average speed of 11 mph 18 kph The French The French newspaper newspaper Le Petit Journal Le Petit Journal sponsored the sponsored the first horseless first horseless carriage race in 1894 Number 65 a gasoline powered Peugeot was named the winner 65 6 6
Donald Campbell drove the Bluebird CN7 to a land speed record at Australia’s Lake Eyre on July 17 1964 By 1905 Arthur MacDonald reached 105 mph 169 kph in a Napier race car at a Florida beach Speed records continued to be broken over the years The Bluebird CN7 driven by Donald Campbell was the last wheel-driven vehicle to hold the land speed record It reached 403 mph 649 kph in 1964 After that jet and rocket-propelled vehicles were the fastest cars on Earth 7
CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 3 SAFETY GEAR People racing in high-speed cars need protection Their cars have safety harnesses and many have roll bars and window nets Drivers use special helmets and neck support gear as well as fire-retardant suits underwear gloves socks and shoes
HANS Head and Neck Support Helmet Safety Harness Fire-Retardant Clothing Roll Bar Window Net 9
