Glenn Curtiss won the first Gordon-Bennett airplane race at Reims in 1909 in his Reims Racer.

The Gordon Bennett Race was established by American newspaper publisher James Gordon Bennett. An enthusiast sportsman, he established races for yachts, balloons, and airplanes.

The first balloon competition was held in 1906 in Paris. It was won by Americans Lt. Frank P. Lahm and co-pilot Major Hersey in their balloon United States, a coal-gas balloon. The Gordon-Bennett balloon competitions are still being held, hosted by the country of the most recent winner. The first airplane Gordon Bennett competition was held at the Reims air meet in 1909. This speed race was won by Glenn Curtiss.