Today’s Photo Story – 1906 ACF Grand Prix held in Le Mans

What did gang leader Jules Bonnot and Ferenc Szisz, winner of the 1906 ACF Grand Prix, have in common? They were both mechanics! Bonnot by trade, and Szisz as Louis Renault’s mechanic for the Paris-Madrid race. At the time, drivers like Louis Rigolly in the Gobron-Brillié (pictured) had a mechanic on board with them. Breakdowns, like the one that put Rigolly out of the race, were indeed a frequent occurrence in those bygone days. In fact, only eleven competitors were classified at the end of the inaugural Grand Prix.

Photo: © ACO archives