Studennaya on the morning of February 12, 1908, a quarter of a million people poured into the streets of New York to see with their own eyes the start of a grandiose rally. The final point of the race that began on Times Square was appointed Paris!
Six crews – the American, German, Italian and three French – had to cross the North American continent, through the Bering, the Strait of Enter to Russia (it was assumed that the water was intended to be covered with ice) and then through Siberia and Eastern Europe to get to the French capital.
The notorious daredevils decided on this adventure, about whose tricks newspapers wrote more than once. Among them were people of various classes – from a simple mechanic from Buffalo to a representative of a noble German kind. The head of the New York car club announced that the crew, which was the first to arrive in Paris, would receive a thousand dollars. But it was not the money that entered the brave men on a dangerous path, but the thirst for immortal glory.
After long bickering, they agreed that the cars would continue their journey to the Pacific Ocean, and on March 5 they will plunge on a train in the nearest city, drive by rail to Seattle, and from there – by a ship to Vladivostok. The participants in the rally, presumably, were perceived with enthusiasm.
By that time, Thomas Flyer reached San Francisco. The Americans overcame 4 thousand kilometers in 41 days. Chasing them has only two crews. In addition to the Protos, the Italian Zust sought to glory and a thousand dollars.
On May 22, all three crews were delivered on a ship to Vladivostok, from where they again set off towards adventures. The Keppen team was replaced. The mechanic of the Benz company Caspar Neuberger arrived from Germany, the man who was used to say, could sort out the engine with his eyes closed. Protos took from the place to the quarry, hoping to make up for a 30-day lag from the main competitor. Zyust disappeared from the rear -view mirrors back in Manchuria, “Thomas Flyer” lasted for a long time not far away.
See also:
How the first motorists dressed
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