A ten-step narrative telling the story of Morocco's early interest in the automobile, the rise of clubs, rallies, grands prix and the spirit of transmission now carried by the Automobile Club du Maroc.
The story begins in the earliest days of the automotive industry: a Daimler delivered to Sultan Hassan I, a Rabat-Casablanca race, the birth of the Moroccan Automobile Club, then circuits and rallies that placed Morocco on the international motor sport map.
The page is built as a chronological gallery: visual archives carry the emotion, dates structure the journey, and the texts explain how Moroccan car culture took shape across generations.
This was the Daimler Schroedter-Wagen, famous for carrying one of the first functional petrol engines in automotive history. The result of a successful collaboration between Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, this vehicle, though often associated with Benz & Cie, was delivered to Sultan Hassan I of Morocco (1873-1894) in 1892.
This emblematic acquisition reflects Morocco's early interest in the automobile, a passion dating back to the earliest days of the industry.
At a time when Europe was competing intensely on machines and transport infrastructure, Morocco hosted one of the earliest historic motor races, on a route from Rabat to Casablanca covering around 90 km.
Panhard completed the journey in 5 hours, slightly faster than the train then linking the two cities. The race symbolised Morocco's growing passion and early enthusiasm for the automobile.
Founded on 28 November 1913 in Casablanca, the Automobile Club Marocain (ACM) turned Morocco into a key platform for some of the greatest drivers in motorsport history. Through its commitment and the quality of its events, the ACM quickly earned its place among the world's most prestigious automobile clubs.
For more than half a century, it held delegated authority from the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), confirming its importance on the international stage.
In 1925, Morocco hosted the first edition of the Rallye du Maroc. The competition quickly gained prestige and by 1926 had joined the ranks of internationally renowned motoring events.
The May 1929 edition stood out for its level of difficulty: of 28 daring crews, only 12 reached the finish. Leading the field, French driver Édouard Meyer took victory in his Bugatti.
In 1949, Agadir became the focus of a group of motorsport enthusiasts. They joined forces to create a committee dedicated to organising a speed circuit for touring cars.
Their ambition became reality on 29 January 1950. The quality of the organisation and the success of this first edition opened discussions with the A.C.M. and led to the creation of a regional section of the Automobile Club Marocain in Agadir.
In 1957, the Formula 1 world turned its attention to Morocco for the first official Moroccan Formula 1 Grand Prix, won by Jean Behra in a Maserati. Under the impetus of the late King Mohammed V, the Ain Diab corniche, also known as the Anfa Circuit, was entirely redesigned and rebuilt in only six months.
On 19 October 1958, Casablanca became the centre of attention with a crucial round of the Formula 1 World Championship over 7.618 km. Around 60,000 spectators and 200 journalists attended, with Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn on the starting grid.
After the 1958 Moroccan Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Royal Automobile Club Marocain organised many support races driven by local competitors. On 20 October 1968, Morocco reconnected with international racing on the Anfa circuit.
The field was mainly composed of the Alpine team, which came from France to test its impressive A220s, along with Swiss driver André Wicky in his Porsche Carrera 910. Local drivers Max Cohen-Olivar and Pierre-François Rousselot would later stand out in many French events.
The Meknes circuit still inspires deep nostalgia among Moroccan racing enthusiasts. It symbolises a golden age of motorsport in Morocco, defined by legendary drivers and widely followed races.
The 0 to 1150 cc category captivated the public, with the Simca 1000 dominating the grid. The Klein brothers, Gélibert, Sibony, Arcel, Palmede, Rémy Taisson and Guido all made their mark. In 1970, Roman won the championship in a self-prepared R8 1150, before Rodriguez returned to prominence with Simca in 1971.
Race of Morocco entered the WTCC calendar in 2009. Staged in the ochre city of Marrakech, the races were held on the Moulay El Hassan Circuit, an urban track with long straights, tight corners and a dense city atmosphere.
As the only African WTCC round officially approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the event attracted drivers, teams and fans from around the world. It helped position Morocco once again as a notable player in international motorsport.
1 July 2022 marked the opening of this cultural centre by the Automobile Club du Maroc. The space was designed as a true meeting platform bringing together automotive enthusiasts, curious visitors and professionals from the mobility sector.
More than a leisure destination, it also aims to promote educational activities and ensure that authentic models from our automotive heritage remain accessible to future generations.