Homburg

The 1904 Gordon Bennett Cup took place on a 79-mile closed course in the Taunus mountains. Crowd control and security were paramount following the tragedies of the previous year’s Paris-Madrid with barriers at all crossroads. The roads were sealed with Westrumite asphalt which reduced the dust on a stiflingly hot day. The start and elaborate grandstand were situated next to a Roman fort in Saalburg. Léon Théry’s Richard Brasier led the Mercedes of Camille Jenatzy by just a second after the opening lap. Théry steadily extended his advantage over the 1903 winner throughout the race to regain the trophy for France by 11 minutes.