As long as man has a car, he can do anything and go anywhere. That is the boast of the infant automobile industry. We're making it up as we go along. Five men answered Le Matin's challenge in 1907. In less than 24 hours, the international cast of motorists will start their vintage automobiles and drive down the congested boulevards of the Chinese capital toward the Great Wall.
Drivers attend their final pre-race briefing.
However, during the long orientation week in Beijing, it has become increasingly apparent that not all of the cars will make it to Paris. After towing more than one automobile from the shipping docks near Beijing, race marshals are betting that most of the entrants will never reach the Eiffel Tower. The mood of the drivers has darkened considerably this week. Each day drivers return to rally headquarters at the Beijing Hotel covered with sweat and oil after spending hours tinkering with their engines and packing and repacking their cars. Concerned about weight, many are mailing back heavy boxes of lotions and unnecessary trinkets.