Air Racers

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images courtesy of Kid Deuce

The first ever air race was held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1908. The participants piloted the only 4 airships in the U.S. around a course located at Forrest Park. 2 of the pilots went off-course due to strong winds, and the other 2 successfully completed the course, and divided the $5,000 prize.
The first event in heavier-than-air air racing history was held on May 23, 1909 - the Prix de Lagatinerie, held at the Port-Aviation airport south of Paris, France. Four pilots entered the race, two actually started and nobody completed the full race distance. Léon Delagrange, who covered more than half of the ten 1.2-kilometre laps was declared the winner.