Robert Cooper, age 14, of Dayton, Ohio, for his question:

WHEN WAS THE FIRST AUTO RACE HELD?

The first automobile race is considered the one held in France in July, 1894, when 100 automobiles set out from Paris to Rouen. The first race in the United States was held in Chicago the following year.

The excitement generated by the possibility of driving at ever higher speeds has made auto racing one of the world's major spectator as well as participant sports. Today it is an international competitive sport that tests the speed capabilities of specially designed automobiles and the skill of their drivers.

The first races were generally held on public roads, but with increasing concern for spectator safety, special closed circuit tracks came into use, particularly in the U.S. The most common form of racing track is a paved oval with banked corners, from one eighth mile to two and a half miles in length.

The race most popularly associated with the sport today is the Indianapolis 500. It is held annually on the Memorial Day weekend. Other famous races include the Grand Prix through the streets of Monaco, the 24 hour endurance race at LeMans, France, and the annual stock car Daytona (Florida) 500 mile race.