MARROCAN RAIDS
Even if the name of “Formula 1” really appears in 1950 we will use the term for the races before 1950 which took place in Casablanca. These races had a reputation as large as modern Formula 1…
The king, Mohammed V, with his son; Hassan II inaugurated the circuit! It’s a national event.
The Grand Prix will have 55 laps, in fact 261 miles.
The first Moroccan races were above all raids which crossed all the country or a great part.
Morocco being still a country colonized by French, it saw the first race tests in the desert. The race joined Rabat and Casablanca, that is to say, about 77 miles. A Panhard and Levassor finished first after 5 hours. Splendid publicity for their very new engine, “without valve” (either a two-stroke engine).
The roads were still sinuous, to see non-existent. It was necessary “to cut through” a path in the Moroccan desert.
The same year, an Alcyon put 7h25 from Casablanca to Marrakech and 6h05 for the return.
In 1913, another race is held, on a somewhat improvised circuit, “The speed circuit of Morocco ”, which made 578 miles . This year, River, little known driver at the time, won the race with a “Metallurgique” (Belgian mark of the time) to 31.69 mph of average speed.
The race was organized by the “Vigie Marocaine” (daily newspaper). On the eleven competitors which left, only six were arrived.
From 1914 to 1920, year by year (even during First World War) the race continued and one saw international drivers participating to it.
Until 1921, where Pierre Delage won with a car which bore his name.
In 1923, a "non-stop" race was improvised on the Moroccan routes, Algerian and Tunisian road to connect Casablanca to Tunis , that is to say 1378 miles . A strictly advertising race; having to praise the quality of the products on their purchase price, the weight and the cubic capacity.
A Sénéchal (who won the race), 2 FIAT and 2 Bugatti took part.
From 1925 to 1930 Moroccan raids took part on theon the "South Circuit" (or Circuit of Morocco).
Who will be, during this period, the main circuit of Morocco .
And, thereafter, the races proceeded on the Anfa circuit. And the first Rallies of Morocco took place.