CAMILLE DU GAST Raced Before Grids Existed, Banned for Gender Not Performance

September 23, 2026

• CAMILLE DU GAST competed in the 1903 Paris-Madrid race, finishing 78th after stopping mid-race to wait with her crashed teammate until ambulance arrived, demonstrating both competitive spirit and sportsmanship.
• The ACF banned her from racing entirely in 1904—not for any infraction or safety violation, but claiming women were inherently “too nervous” to drive competitively.
• DU GAST raced before modern grid systems existed, becoming a foundational figure whose legacy inspired Women on the Grid’s mission to preserve forgotten female racing pioneers’ histories.

early racing, motorsport history, paris-madrid race