Rally Peking to Paris 2016

The Pekin to Paris motor race was an automobile race which was held in 1907 from Peking (Beijing) to Paris with almost 15 000 km.

The idea of this race came from the challenge published in the Paris newspaper Le Martin in January 1907 saying:
"What needs to be proved today is that as long as a man has a car, he can do anything and go anywhere. Is there anyone who will undertake to travel this summer from Peking to Paris by automobile?"

The race started from French Embassy in Peking on June 10, 1907 and finished in Paris on August 10, 1907.
The race didn’t have any specific rules; just the winner who would come first passing almost 15 000 km would get a prize of Magnum of Mumm champagne!!! Noone was assisting during the race while cars were passing offroad routes. Each car had a journalist who can send information from telegraph stations throughout the race.

Second race was held in 1908 and started from New York heading to Paris (by sea for the part of the way). Unfortunately after Russian Revolution in 1917 USSR was established and boards were closed for many years. In 1990 when Soviet Union broke up races started again.

In 2016 route of the Race Pekin Paris was through my city! We were lucky to see all these amazing cars. Race started on June 12 and lasted 36 days!

When you look at this cars you can hardly believe they pass almost 15 000 km!

The oldest car is 1913 – it is more then 100 years, but it is still on and driving such a distance!!! Unbelievable!

Just enjoy the pictures and if you know anything about these cars - please share your knowledge! :)

I hope you enjoy it! When you are a girl it is not easy to write about cars, but I tried my best! :)

Thank you!