Competitive motorcar race from Paris to Rouen on 22 July 1894: The birth of motorcar racing 125 years ago: closely associated with Mercedes-Benz from the outset - Mercedes-Benz Group Media - The first car race from Paris to Rouen, 22 July 1894: Emile Roger, the first ever foreign sales agent for Benz vehicles, finished in 14th place driving a Benz Vis-à-Vis 3 hp and was awarded fifth prize. Drawing by Hans Liska dating from 1960.