Marcel Renault in the Paris-Madrid of 1903.The race was an early experiment in auto racing, organized by the Automobile Club de France (ACF) and the Spanish Automobile Club, Automóvil Club Español.

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Early races were extremely dangerous. In this event alone five racers (including Renault) and three spectators were killed.

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At the time in France there was a great interest in international car races. In 1894 the Paris–Rouen was the first car race in the world, followed by races from Paris to Bordeaux, Marseilles, Dieppe, Amsterdam, Berlin and Vienna.