History

Exactly 111 years ago in July 1913, the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France (A.C.F) took place on the Picardy circuit from Longueau.

It was an international event bringing together the best drivers and manufacturers of racing cars, motorcycles and cyclecars of the time. 

This Grand Prix de Picardie took place thanks to the investment and determination of René Ranson, President of the Société Aérienne de Picardie (SAP) and Emile Vasselle, President of the Automobile Club de Picardie et de l'Aisne (ACPA), with financial assistance from the Union Commerciale et Industrielle de la Somme (UCIS) to pay the 53,000 francs in participation rights.

The ACF Grand Prix is a major financial investment with six months of work to prepare the roads, install footbridges and grandstands along the circuit.

It runs from July 11 to 13. It moved 100,000 spectators and required 1,500 soldiers to ensure security.

The circuit starts from the Fourche de Longueau on the road to Roye and then turns right at kilometre 12 to reach Moreuil and return to the Fourche. It is 31 km long. It is reduced to 17 km for motorcycles and cyclecars. Cars will have to do 29 laps (917 km) while motorcycles will only do 20 laps (350 km) and cyclecars 15 laps (262 km).

At the level of the Fourche, a diversion allows road traffic to Saint-Quentin and the installation of grandstands and the car park.

Please note that the followings photos are under copyright and not allowed for copy!

Competitors:

The competitors represent five nations: France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and Italy.
Twenty racing cars are registered and represent the brands: Sunbeam (4), Delage (2), Opel (1), Mathis (1), Excelsior (2), Théo Schneider (4), Itala (3) and Peugeot (3).

The 350 and 500 cc motorcycles brought together 47 competitors at the start on branded machines: Rudge (2), Triumph (3), BSA (2), Clément, Motosacoche, Douglas, Terrot, Griffon, Zenith, NSU, Peugeot.
The cyclecars and sidecars are driven by 26 and 12 entries respectively racing on brand machines: Bédélia (4), Morgan, Sphinx-globe (2), Ronteix (2), Duo Cars (2), Anzani, Violet-Bogey (2), Mathis, Hawkes Dew precision, Marlborough, Automobilette, Noel, Frazer-Nash and GN.

The results:

The winner of the grand prix was BOILLOT in a Peugeot with a time of 7H53 min at an average speed of 116 km/h followed by GOUX in a Peugeot - 7H56 min 115.4 km/h and CHASSAGNE in a Sunbeam - 8H06 min - 113 km/h. Eleven drivers finished the race.

The classification of motorcycles gives 1st place: GREENE Ireland on Rudge at the average of 81 km/h followed by CHESHIRE Royaune Uni on Triumph at the average of 78.7 km/h and FENTON France on Clément at the average of 77.4 km/h.

The cyclecar classification was won by BOURBEAU on Bédélia (3h55 – 66.7 km/h) followed by CANOUEL on Sphinx-Globe (4h05 – 64.2 km/h) and RONTEIX on Ronteix (4h11 – 62.6 km/h).  13 competitors will retire.

In the sidecar category, McMinnies on Morgan won the overall classification of the cyclecars and sidecars.

The impact of the Grand Prix:

It was a real and great success. During these three days, the national press made its headlines about the grand prix. The repercussions are international. Locally, it's a success. The U.S. C.I.S. does not regret its financial support.