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Rally Monte Carlo 1953 - Maurice Gatsonides and his prince

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Created on January 20, 2011

Reading time 3min

Written by:

Bernhard Brägger

Photos:

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Rallye Monte Carlo 1953 - Gatsonides/Worledge gewinnen auf dem Ford Zephyr Six - mit Brille Prinz Bernhard der Niederlande

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Rallye Monte Carlo 1953 - Schild Lukas im modifizierten Porsche 356

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Summary

The 1953 Monte Carlo Rally was probably the easiest to drive so far, but was part of the newly established European Championship for major international reliability rallies. The rally was won by Gatsonides with great skill at the stopwatches.

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

At the 1952 fall congress of the "Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile", the European Championship for large international reliability drives is founded. Only standard models with a closed body are permitted. Ten different rallies form the basis. The Monte Carlo Rally in January 1953 opens the championship. The 24th rally was quiet, with little spectacle, no snow or ice, and no bad roads. A tame rally, perhaps the easiest to date. It also shows that in the 1950s, only the weather and its caprices are responsible for selective rallies. Malicious tongues say "watch rally" and one disappointed participant says: "Driving only came last in this rally. The competitors were Omega, Longines, Heuer, Zenith and other well-known watch brands. The cars were only necessary aids."

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