When was the first racing car invented?

There's no single date for the invention of the first racing car, as the evolution was gradual. Early automobiles were quickly adapted for racing, but pinpointing the very first purpose-built racing car is difficult. However, the late 1890s and early 1900s saw the emergence of vehicles specifically designed and built for competition. So, rather than a specific invention date, it's more accurate to say that racing cars emerged as a distinct category around the turn of the 20th century (late 1890s - early 1900s).