The World’s First Intercontinental Road Race Part Two
On Friday, we introduced the world’s first intercontinental road race. This race has become an important part of automobile lore, as it represented one of the earliest pieces of proof that cars could be trusted on long distance journeys. Whether you enjoy racing or rallying with your Certified Mercedes or are simply curious about the history of the automobile, the events that transpired during that historic 10,000 mile journey from Peking to Paris in 1907 are a true testament to the bravery and expertise of man.
The Race Begins
On June 10, 1907, eleven men gathered in five cars to begin a remarkable journey into legend. The cars and the level of driver preparation varied widely. The Italian team of three, led by Prince Borghese of Italy, was by far the most prepared. They also had the advantage of driving the most powerful of the entrant vehicles, a 40 hp Itala.
A French military band gave the group a proper sendoff, and they were on their way. Upon hitting the mountain pass between China and Mongolia, however, they quickly learned the hardship that was to plague them throughout the race. The paths through the mountains were steep and narrow, and the engines were not powerful enough to compensate. A combination of manpower and mule power was required to drag the vehicles over many of paths. On the downgrade, the Italian group was nearly lost, as the brakes were unable to slow the vehicle. Miraculously, they were able to steer to a safe stop at the bottom.
Gobi Desert
The teams were able to navigate the punishing desert by following the telegraph lines. However, their engines began to boil over. They quickly found themselves having to use their own drinking water to cool the engines. One team ran out of gas and was fortunately rescued by Mongolian nomads. They abandoned the car to the desert and dropped out of the race.
Siberia
When they planned their route, the Italian team relied on an old military road through the wilderness. Unfortunately, they were unaware that the road had been abandoned upon the completion of the TransSiberian Railway. Some bridges were completely washed out, and others were in danger of collapse. The Italians fell through one of the bridges altogether. Unbelievably neither the car nor its occupants were seriously injured. It took three hours to pull the car out, and they continued on their way.
Some areas were quite muddy, and the team wrapped chains around the wooden wheels for better traction. Unfortunately, a wheel eventually broke apart from the strain. A Cartwright in a nearby town was able to craft a new one.
The Finish Line
After Siberia, the trip was relatively calm. On August 10, 1907, the Italian team rolled into Paris. They were followed nearly three weeks later by the other competitors. Together, the men had proved the value of the newfangled automobile.
The race has never been repeated, although in 2007 a similar route was used in a road rally tribute to this historic journey.
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