Diplomatic World_nummer 57
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competitors and finished first in his Russo-Balt car in<br />
the St. Petersburg to Monaco rally that crossed 3.2<strong>57</strong><br />
kilometres in 195 hours 23 minutes. For his victory Nagel<br />
received a state prize from Tsar Nicholas II. In 1902, Nagel<br />
also founded the first magazine devoted to the automobile<br />
industry in Russia named Automobile.<br />
During the first Rally, the weather conditions were extreme<br />
during the journey in Central Europe to the Principality<br />
of Monaco. The racers went via Riga (where they were<br />
chased by a pack of wolves and were nearly devoured),<br />
Königsberg, Berlin, Heidelberg and Belfort. The weather<br />
only softened from Lyon to reach Avignon. Nagel and his<br />
companion Mikhailov arrive as first competitors in the<br />
Principality by following the road from Berlin. The total<br />
distance was 3.2<strong>57</strong> kilometres, with a peak speed of 167<br />
km/h.<br />
Nagel and Mikhailov were ranked ninth in the Rally<br />
overall. Their car was decorated with flags for their victory<br />
tour and at the princely palace they received the Longest<br />
Course Award, and that of the resistance. The Imperial<br />
Automobile Club gave a gala evening where they were<br />
offered a bonus of 600 francs at the time. Upon Nagel’s<br />
return, the Tsar awarded him membership of the Order of<br />
St. Anne.<br />
Prince Albert I<br />
159
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