The Principality of Monaco's inaugural motorsport victory

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The Principality of Monaco's extraordinary story with motorsport began on this day in 1929.

Monaco's inaugural Grand Prix was set up by wealthy cigarette manufacturer Antony Noghès, one of the founding fathers of the Automobile Club de Monaco and the creator of the Monte Carlo rally.

Sixteen participants answered Noghès crazy call to race in the tiny city's twisty oceanfront streets, with British driver Williams Grover-Williams winning the first event at the wheel of a Bugatti T35B and collecting a hefty prize of 100,000 French francs.

For the record, Romanian driver George Bouriane, also driving a Bugatti, and Mercedes' Rudolf Caracciola completed the top-three.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.