Thursday 6th May 1937
In an effort to induce manufacturers to develop new cars that would be competitive with the dominant Germans, in 1937 the French government announced the Prix du Millioní, or the Million Franc Race in Monthléry. The prize money was a million francs to beat the existing average speed record of 146.508 km/h over the 200 km distance. René Dreyfus won the race with Delahaye 145 V12 with an average of 146.654 km/h taking the prize for the marque and becoming a hero in France.