Why are we going to Monte Carlo?
The range of rallies and races in which a motorist could take part before the Second World War to prove his calibre was very wide. Dazzling speeds, long-distance expeditions, and extreme record-breaking attempts—the twentieth century abounded in feats meant to impress and to demonstrate how many obstacles a person is capable of overcoming in pursuit of a goal.
A challenge that draws you in
Piercing frost. Deep snow. Terrible exhaustion. Loneliness. Thousands of kilometres. The Monte Carlo Rally has always been fascinating. Every motorist in the world wanted to boast the title of a Monte Carlo competitor, even though serious accidents occurred regularly on the rally routes and some drivers never returned home. Over the decades, the Monte Carlo Rally gained prestige, becoming one of the greatest and most demanding motorsport challenges before the Second World War. It did not matter whether you were a professional racing driver at the peak of your career, a celebrity seeking publicity, an aristocrat bored with a life of privilege, or simply a businessman in search of thrills. Everyone wanted to prove something.
The Monte Carlo Rally was first organized in 1911 on the initiative of Prince Albert I, in order to promote Monaco as a winter tourist destination. This makes it the oldest rally in the world to be held regularly to this day. The second-oldest rally is the Polish Rally, organized since 1921. From the very beginning, the Monte Carlo Rally stood out for its unusual format: it was in fact a vast star-shaped convention to Monte Carlo, in which crews started from different parts of Europe and made their way to the capital of Monaco.
The winner was determined on the basis of regularity and reliability, as well as the number of kilometres covered. Each starting city was scored differently, which is why some crews set off for Monaco from very distant locations such as Estonia, Norway, Greece, and even Scotland. After arriving in Monte Carlo, participants faced additional tests, including a several-kilometre hill climb, a comfort competition, and acceleration and braking trials. However, simply reaching Monte Carlo was already considered an outstanding achievement, confirming the endurance and determination of the team. Over time, the rally’s format evolved into the event we know today. Since 1973, the Monte Carlo Rally has been part of the World Rally Championship.
The last such rally
On 17 January 1939, the eighteenth and final pre-war Monte Carlo Rally began. Heading for the French Riviera from various parts of Europe were 128 crews, including five representing the white-and-red Polish colours. From Tallinn, on a route covering 3,793 kilometres, the following crews set off: E. Bellen and S. Pronaszko in a Ford V8 (No. 25), S. Zagórna and Lange in a Chevrolet Master Sedan (No. 66), L. Borowik and M. Wierzba in a Lancia Aprilia (No. 106), and T. Marek and W. Pajewski in an Opel Olympia (No. 122). From Athens, another Polish crew, A. Mazurek and Count J. Lubieński, set off in a Chevrolet Master Sedan (No. 77). This was not the first Polish participation in the Monte Carlo Rally, as Polish drivers had been successfully competing in it almost from its very beginning.
Tadeusz Marek and Witold Pajewski competed in the 1939 Monte Carlo Rally driving an Opel Olympia with the number #122. The team achieved an excellent 5th place in the up-to-1500cc class and 32nd place overall. Tadeusz Marek was one of the leading rally drivers of the Second Polish Republic and an outstanding engineer associated with the State Engineering Works as well as the Lilpop, Rau & Loewenstein factories. After the war, he designed engines for Aston Martin. His biography is described in detail on our blog by Piotr R. Frankowski.
Tadeusz Marek’s co-driver during the 1939 Monte Carlo Rally was Witold Pajewski. Pajewski was a co-founder of the Silesian Automobile Club and served as its president for many years. As a pre-war competitor, he participated in numerous national and international rallies and car races. After the Second World War, he continued his involvement in motoring. For many years, he was a board member of the Katowice branch of the Polish Automobile and Motorcycle Association (PZM). In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit twice. As an outstanding expert in motorsport and driving technique, Witold Pajewski also served for many years as the rallymaster of the Rally of Wisła.
Our mission – to save from oblivion!
With the Monte Carlo Tribute 1939 project, we primarily aim to commemorate the feats of brave Polish rally drivers who, over several decades, took part in the extremely demanding challenge that is the Monte Carlo Rally. At the end of January this year, we will set off from icy Tallinn toward Monte Carlo behind the wheel of a pre-war Opel Olympia—an almost identical car to the one driven by Marek and Pajewski in the 1939 Monte Carlo Rally.
Over the course of the next several days, following in the footsteps of the 1939 Monte Carlo competitors, we plan to cover more than 3,500 km across Europe all the way to Monte Carlo. We will face freezing temperatures and snow, but also contend with an 86-year-old machine that we have prepared ourselves for this challenge. It will be a great adventure and a tough test for us as drivers, mechanics, navigators, and as a team.
Stay with us and cheer on #MCT39!
