Reflection

BITS ‘N’ PIECES

Narrated Abu Bakra (R.A):

Allah’s Apostle (S.A.W) said thrice, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the great sins?” We said, “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle.” He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah: to be undutiful to one’s parents.” The Prophet sat up after he had been reclining and added, “And I warn you against giving forged statement and a false witness; I warn you against giving a forged statement and a false witness.” The Prophet kept on saying that warning till we thought that he would not stop.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 7

DID YOU KNOW?

The idea for the first automobile race was conceived by Pierre Giffard, editor of Le Petit Journal.

On July 22, 1894, the world’s first automobile race took place between Paris and Rouen, France. Known as the Paris-Rouen Trial, the event covered 126 kilometres and marked the beginning of organised motor racing, while also signalling the dawn of the motor age. Of the 21 official entrants, 17 completed the journey, proving that automobiles could be reliable modes of transport rather than mere mechanical curiosities.

The idea for the race was proposed by Pierre Giffard, editor of Le Petit Journal, writing under the pseudonym Jean sans Terre in December 1893. Unlike modern races, the competition did not focus on speed. Instead, vehicles were judged on safety, ease of handling and economical operation. More than 100 entries were submitted, featuring imaginative propulsion methods ranging from steam and petrol to gravity-driven systems. After elimination trials, 21 vehicles qualified for the final race.

The competition began at Porte Maillot in Paris at 8 a.m., drawing large crowds. All participating vehicles ran on steam or internal-combustion engines, with most steered by tillers rather than steering wheels. Including breaks and a lunch stop, the vehicles averaged a modest speed of 11.6 miles per hour.

Count Albert de Dion led much of the race with his powerful steam tractor, despite briefly losing his way in a potato field. Although he reached Rouen first, his vehicle was disqualified for failing to meet the competition’s conditions. The top prize of 5,000 francs was instead shared by Panhard & Levassor and Peugeot, whose cars best reflected the trial’s ideals.

The Paris-Rouen Trial captured public imagination and helped establish confidence in motor vehicles. Less than a year later, the longer Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race was held, further accelerating the sport’s development. Motor racing soon spread internationally. In 1895, the first official American car race took place in Chicago. By 1900, racing speeds had reached 80 km/h, making public-road races increasingly dangerous. This led to the construction of purpose-built speedways, beginning with Brooklands in England in 1906, followed by iconic circuits such as Monza in 1922.

Meanwhile, James Gordon Bennett of The New York Herald played a pivotal role in international racing by sponsoring national competitions. Disagreements over rules eventually prompted French manufacturers to establish the French Grand Prix, first held at Le Mans, cementing Europe’s lasting legacy in motor racing history.