[faksta]

7th Volhonka verst runs.

On May, 24 1909 7th Volhonka verst runs took place. Count Alexander Mordvinoff has beaten Russian speed record during them, showing 29,2 seconds (flying start) at 131,5 kph on his 120hp Opel.

Pictures:
1. Motorcyclists get ready for the runs. #4 – Andrei Nagel. Source – raf.su.
2. Start of a car. Source – raf.su.
3. Samuel Suurmets on Opel.

Record runs near Moscow.

Took place on June, 14. Almost nothing is known for me, except for a tragedy, which occurred during a competition. Alexander Vetchinine, who has planned to enter a first-ever endurance race in Russia later that year, arrived to compete on his favorite Brasier car, but going about 130 versts per hour didn’t notice a smooth turn and hit the stone bridge. The car tumbled down in two parts and felt off the bridge to a river. Count Vetchinine has died. Before the start, he joked that his car was great, because if he crashed on it, he would die immediately and wouldn’t suffer…