The 1934 Auto Rally “Yerevan-Gorky-Yerevan” (Part 2)

Over 150 people, among whom there were representatives of various professions, came to welcome the convoy in the district of Kanaker. According to comrade Smolin’s statement, the cars crossed the distance of around 3283 kilometers without a single failure. Smolin also noted the comparatively good condition of the roads in Armenia and the complete absence of any traffic signs on those roads. Already on 26 January, the local press reported on the departure of the convoy consisting of one Ford A Standart Phaeton and its two soviet copies GAZ-A from Yerevan.

The participants of the rally had yet to visit the cities of Haghpat, Ashtarak, Amamlu, Leninakan, Xsldoc, Akhalkalaki, Batum, Samtredi, Zugdidi, Ochamchire, Sukhumi, Novorossiysk, Krasnodar, Rostov, Kharkov, Moscow, Gorky, which was about 3500 kilometers. In the photo is depicted the main driver of the rally and head Smolin. Among Similar motor races, the most interesting is the one that took place in 1967. Its distinguishing feature was that it involved only vintage cars. The rally started in Paris, after which it had to go to Moscow, Ankara and return again to Paris. As you might guess, the rout from Moscow to Ankara laid through Yerevan, where the cars stopped for a few days. Four French journalists, Klein, Violette, Lombard and Remy travelled an enormous distance on a 1907 Renault and 1910 Delaunay-Belleville shocking the locals with the excellent condition of the cars. In modern Armenia, the appearance of representatives of the international car competitions is no longer a rareness.