100 Years of struggling through Snow and Ice

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Today marks the start of the 14th Historic Rallye de Monte-Carlo that follows the tire tracks of the modern cars. It all started in 1911 with an idea by Prince Albert I of Monaco. To attract more winter tourists to his Principality he thought of organizing a Rallye in which the participants would drive from the cold European towns to the warm Mediterranean resort. Although the first Rallye de Monte-Carlo only had some 25 contestants, the idea caught on so now we can celebrate 100 years of rallying through snow and ice. The story of the Rallye is described in a new 2-volume book due out in March. It tells of the adventures by the 15,000 teams that have taken up the challenge and had to overcome countless obstacles to reach the ‘Principauté de Monaco’. Our photo comes from the book and shows Lieutenant Knapp in his 16/18 hp Fiat during the Concours that followed the first Rallye de Monte Carlo. (photo courtesy ACM)

For Rétromobile visitors: Christophe Grohe (stand J113) will bring a most remarkable collection of pre-war Monte-Carlo memorabilia: plates, badges, rally-programs, pictures, fuel coupons, road maps, letters and more from a participant at the 1935, 37, 38 and 39 rallies.

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