Centenary of the first Cyclecar GP (Upd. some confusion about Morgan and a book!)

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By Fons Alkemade: This Saturday, on the 13th of July, it is the centenary of the very first Grand Prix especially intended for cyclecars. On the 12th of July 1913 the Automobile Club France held its 'normal' Grand Prix (the 13th edition, not to be confused with the Grand Prix de France of which the 3rd edition took place on the 5th of August the same year) and the organization had decided to have a similar event for the then booming class of cyclecars. The Cyclecar GP took place near the city of Amiens, as did the regular GP de l'ACF but the laps for the small cars were much shorter (17,5 km against 31,6 km) as was the total distance (262 km against 917 km).
It must be said that small cars, voiturettes in French, already had had the opportunity to race, e.g. during the Coupe des Voiturettes, of which the 7th edition took place in September 1913. And only three weeks after the ACF event, the UMF (Union Motocycliste de France, founded in march 1913) organized their first GP for cyclecars too!
Winner of the Grand Prix des Cyclecars was Robert Bourbeau driving one of his own Bédélias. He was clocked at just under 4 hours, meaning an average speed of almost 67 km per hour. Of all the circa 28 participants only 7 finished. Six didn't appear at all and fourteen didn't reach the finish line.
From the pictures it becomes clear that each driver had to have a mechanic on board. Regarding the size of most participating cyclecars, this rule must have made the race even tougher...
(Editor: look closely at main picture)

Update: Pierre Bou inform us that he, as a French (and picardian) amateur historian, has published a book about "The Grand prix de l'automobile club de France" which has been held in july 1913 in Amiens, with a lot of never before published pictures (from the French national library), full detailed specifications of the the cars, description of the circuit and many other features. The book is available at the Editor (Encrage Ed.) or on the net at the usual dealers.
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