Show round world auto race the first automobile race around the world started from new york city february 12 1908 there were six starters three french cars one italian one german and one american car the american car was driven by george schuster and carried two mechanics the route was via seattle yokohama and paris the race was won by the united states car which covered a distance of miles in days the german car was second running miles in days the new york times and le matin T of paris apons sponsored ored the event |