1895: The first American running for petrol-powered cars should be postponed. The vehicles could not get to the starting line. Within the month, however, they will make some history. Racing started out when the cars started. The legend is that the first car race happened the first time a horse less carriage met one another on the road. It is a beautiful story, but back in the late 19th century car race was not run 
on the circuit. They were "open road" issues, runs from one city to another. The first organized auto races was the Paris-Rouen for "reliability test" only lasted one year before the fine fellows at The Chicago Times-Herald came up with their idea to run a race from Chicago north to Milwaukee. Unfortunately, the roads between the two metropolises in the Midwest was in terrible condition, so the route was shortened to Chicago to Evanston and back. It would only cover 54 miles. The original field featured 83 entries in the race, but 76 of them never to race. The high dropout seemed largely due to most of the cars that will not be finished in time for the competition. Organizers postponed event for one week.
on the circuit. They were "open road" issues, runs from one city to another. The first organized auto races was the Paris-Rouen for "reliability test" only lasted one year before the fine fellows at The Chicago Times-Herald came up with their idea to run a race from Chicago north to Milwaukee. Unfortunately, the roads between the two metropolises in the Midwest was in terrible condition, so the route was shortened to Chicago to Evanston and back. It would only cover 54 miles. The original field featured 83 entries in the race, but 76 of them never to race. The high dropout seemed largely due to most of the cars that will not be finished in time for the competition. Organizers postponed event for one week.For further information: http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/11/1102benz-duryea-first-gasoline-auto-race
