Rally Monte Carlo 1961 - a bad Rally Monte Carlo
You have only
1 out of 2
images seen in high resolution
Summary
The modified regulations for the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally were intended to favor the French, especially Panhard. And so Martin/Bateau won the PL 17.
Estimated reading time: 3min
Preview (beginning of the article)
You don't have to be a prophet to predict that the triple defeat of the French car industry against Mercedes in 1960 will be "avenged". And what could be better than changing the regulations to "force" the French car industry to win? Monsieur Taffe knows how to do this: he favors weight and displacement with a comparative factor in favor of relatively heavy, low-powered cars. And Panhard with its 2-cylinder boxer engines and almost 900 kg fits the bill perfectly. This rule disqualifies modern lightweight construction even before the first kilometer is driven. And to ensure that the Swedes and Germans with their underpowered Saab and DKW are also left behind, two-strokes are given a ten percent penalty. An example: on the 700-kilometer final stage, a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE must maintain an average speed of 58.5 km/h, a Porsche even 67.2 km/h to compete with a Panhard PL 17. The Panhard can make do with a comfortable 48.7 km/h.
Continue reading this article for free?
