PARIS-PEKIN MOTOR RACE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2114, 24 June 1907, Page 3

PARIS-PEKIN MOTOR RACE

Preparations for this unique race caused a great stir in Europe, particularly in Palis. The Pekin-Paris motor run was organised by the Ma-

tin and was to have started in the presence of the French, Russian, and Italian Ministers, who for this occasion were to form an honorary committee. The track lies across Mongolia, the Gobi desert, Siberia, the Ural Mountains, South Russia, Germany, and finally France. A RUSSIAN PASSWORD. Starting from Pekin the competitors will make for Kalgan, about 125 miles from the former town, and then o.i to Urga. From Kalgan to Urga there are two roads running parallel to each other. One is the caravan route and the other the Imperial road. The latter is a beautiful tract of land about one hundred miles in length. Mme. Massieu, a few years ago, drove across this road in seven

days. At Urga there is a postal service, and a rich Urgan and two officer-: control the caravan. With the Help of the Russian Government, the motorists will be able to give the •‘password,” which consists in uttering the break-jaw names of the’ two officers. - ' r . ACROSS LAKE BAIKAL., Urga is a very centre of civilisation, and the competitors will receive a warm welcome from the Russian Vice-Consul and Dr. Grinsewitch, a member of the Touring Club of Fiance. These gentlemen are entrusted with "the arrangement of all d< tails connected with tho route between Urga and Kiakhta. From Kiakhta to Missoya the motors will be put on a large ferry-boat and conveyed across Lake Baikal to Irkutsk. At Irkutsk the motorists will follow

the Trans-Siberial Railway to Moscow, and endeavor to outpace tho railway, in spite of the absence of n ads. FUEL SUPPLY. It was arranged that the indefatigable Cormier, the winner of the Paris-Bordeaux race, was to take charge of a camel caravan front Pekin with supplies of petrol, to be distributed along the route. The Asiatic Petroleum Company will also give help on tho Chinese route. In Siberia and Russia the Nobel firm will establish small stations en route for the convenience of the competitors. Other arrangements for the comfort of the motorists through Mongolia will be carried out by Dr. Davidoff. In Russia the Government has done everything *to ensure the success of the run. The Czar has not only signed a decree e> empting the machines and materials from Customs duties, but has also issued orders xtrqviding the competitors with a private wire for . communication with their friends at home.

It is hoped the motors will cover ihe distance between Pekin and Paris (about 6500 miles) in eighty days.