A century of change: 1923 to 2023

With RACT celebrating its 100th birthday this year, we take a look back at some of the big automotive moments from 100 years ago.

33 cars ...

... took to a series of interconnected rural roads in the Sarthe region of France on Saturday 26 May 1923 for the first edition of the 24-hour Speed and Endurance Grand Prix/Rudge-Whitworth Cup. These days it’s more commonly known as the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Grand Prix d’Endurance de 24 Heures) and is regarded as the world’s greatest endurance racing event. With all but three of the original 33 starters being French, it’s perhaps not surprising that first race was won by Parisian automotive company Chenard-Walcker. The 2023 event will feature the return of French car maker Peugeot with its radical 9X8 hybrid-powered racer, looking to take the Hypercar class trophy from the Toyota GR010 Hybrids that have dominated the race in recent years.