| But one particular movie stood out because of its | | | | figured if oil prices didn't go down to the levels that it |
| plot. The car joins the Monte Carlo rally. As a | | | | is today, although its still high, will it still be logical to |
| precocious little kid, I also recall asking my parents | | | | hold rallying events or any other motorsports for |
| what rallying meant? And my mother, who instilled in | | | | that matter? Wouldn't the sport be hurt and greatly |
| me the discipline of doing research at an early age | | | | affected if oil prices skyrocketed to for example |
| told me, "Dear, why don't you look it up at the | | | | $200 a barrel? |
| dictionary?" That was how I found out about rallying | | | | Then I saw the print ad for one of the big oil |
| as a sport, which has flourished to this day. | | | | companies. The add states that it is through these |
| And there are more interesting facts that I have | | | | races, whether it's rallying or formula one racing, |
| discovered about the sport of rallying. Its origin can | | | | that the car manufacturers test their latest |
| be traced back to the 1894 Paris-Rouen Horseless | | | | improvements in their respective vehicles, with these |
| Carriage Competition when people who have their | | | | changes brought about by the manufacturer's |
| own visions of what a "horseless carriage" should | | | | research and development team. And not only are |
| look like entered the contest and winners were | | | | the car manufacturers who benefit from this but also |
| ascertained by the judges who rode in each car. | | | | oil companies and tire makers. So, to win in any |
| Eventually, it turned into a period of city to city road | | | | motorsport, the car who has the right balance in its |
| races primarily in France and it started components | | | | engine make, tire selection and amount of fuel in |
| associated with rallying competitions today, individual | | | | order to meet the demands of the track conditions |
| start times with carraces against the clock, time | | | | or the graveled road shall ultimately win the race. |
| keeping at beginning and starting areas in each town | | | | Consumers ultimately, benefit the most. |
| along the route and driving over long distances of | | | | Improvements that were proven to be reliable are |
| rough and unpaved roads. | | | | then passed to buyers of new automobiles as car |
| The Monte Carlo Rally started in 1911 by Prince Albert | | | | manufacturers add these changes to make a better |
| and takes place in Monaco. It is the first race for the | | | | product overall in terms of a vehicle's safety |
| FIA World Rally Championships. Winning a rally gives a | | | | attributes, performance under all conditions and gas |
| car prestige and credibility in terms of a car's | | | | consumption. |
| performance under tough and demanding driving | | | | So next time you open the door of your new car, |
| conditions. | | | | remember to thank those motorsport drivers who |
| I often wonder why is there so much money poured | | | | risk their lives for a few hours of adrenalin rush and |
| in by sponsors into motorsports. Even if gas prices | | | | made your car safe for you to use. That is if one |
| became unreasonably high last year due to a host of | | | | doesn't drink and drive! |
| several factors I couldn't understand its importance. I | | | | |