Andrey Nagel and Monte-Carlo History of the triumph On 31st December 1911 (according to the old Russian calendar) Andrey Platonovich Nagel, together with his co-driver, Vadim Mikhailov, started the Monaco Rally (former name of the Monte-Carlo Rally) in a Russo-Balt C24/30 car. Having successfully conquered the distance of over 3 thousand kilometers without a single breakdown, they made their names famous all around Europe. The huge distance was driven without additional inflating of tyres. During the whole driving time, totaling 195 hours and 23 minutes, the vehicle did not experience any mechanical failure. In order to keep the car in excellent working order in spite of the freezing temperatures, Nagel and Mikhailov took turns to stay awake at night, warming the motor every half an hour. Nagel was an outstanding person in many respects, but the triumphant finish in Monaco was not the result of his talents alone; it was also based on the tremendous progress of the Russian automotive industry in the first decades of the 20th century. The Russo-Balt C24/30 was designed and manufactured at the Russo-Baltic Wagon Factory, founded in Riga in 1869. This car brand was created by the leading technical experts of the time. Suffice it to say the Chief Engineer position at the factory was occupied by no other than Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky, the famous inventor of the Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 helicopter (he is known in Europe as Mr. Helicopter). In order to be able to participate in the Rally, the Russo-Balt C24/55 car model (with serial number 14) underwent some modifications; its cubic capacity was increased up to 4939 cm3, the aluminum pistons were replaced with cast iron ones, more powerful Farkonia headlamps were mounted and a French Zenith carburetor installed. The Russo-Balt was capable of accelerating to speeds up to 105 km/h. The Russian crew had to make their way to victory under incredibly difficult weather conditions (fog, snowstorms, snowdrift, and heavy-rain). The time lost in moving through snowdrifts had to be compensated by night driving as the crew had to stick to the prescribed average speed and to cover a distance of 480 km a day. Thus an average speed maintained by Russo-Balt within a 24 hour interval was around 100 km/h. Having flashed through Cannes and Nice, the Russo-Balt entered Monte-Carlo under pouring rain. he final results for the Monte-Carlo Rally were calculated according to a very complicated procedure. The points were awarded for the distances covered, for driving over the prescribed average speed and for the amount of passenger seats within a vehicle. Besides, the jury had to take into account comfortable conditions within the car, its stylish appearance, even the cleanness of its outer surface after the journey. As a result of this peculiar calculation system, the official victory was awarded to Jules Beutler, whom Nagel outdrove (was ahead of) by 6 full hours. The Nagel-Mikhailov crew was awarded the 1st prize in tourism and the 1st prize for the longest route in the rally. This complex procedure was later abandoned and for many decades now at the Monte-Carlo Rally, sporting achievements have only been awarded to the winners who are ultimately the fastest crew. The prize award ceremony took place at the Prince's Palace of Monaco. Nagel's car was solemnly installed in a pavilion apart from the other cars and decorated with flowers, thus paying tribute to the outstanding performance of the vehicle and its crew. Nagel sent a telegram to St. Petersburg stating: "Tremendous success. Car exhibited in a separate pavilion, decorated with flowers". The crew drove 3257 km in 195 hours 23 minutes and Nagel was awarded, among other things, the prize for the longest route, still managing to finish 6 hours ahead! To honor this outstanding man and his fortitude, and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his victory, a historic Riga-St,Peterburg-Monte-Carlo Rally was started on 31th of Dec 2011. The rally is now establishing itself as an annual event

• published: 22 Oct 2013
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