The four remaining cars vying for victory in the 1908 New York to Paris auto race had covered one continent, now there were two to go. In an era before highways and gas stations, nothing about this race had gone as planned.

Now, the German Protos was headed for Russia, the Italian Zust, American Thomas Flyer, and French De Dion were crossing the Pacific for Japan.

Behind them were 11,000 miles of countless unpredicted disasters and a pathway carved through grit and perseverance. Before them was another 11,000 miles of the unknown. Safety and success were not guaranteed. Failure was much more likely. The only thing they knew for sure was that no matter the outcome, they were about to make history.

Join me for part 3 of history’s most epic race.