Everything you need to know before the 25th edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique
The big start of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique is about to be given from Oslo this Tuesday (9:15 a.m.), where 289 competitors are expectedbefore returning to the outskirts of Monaco on January 28.
Ancestral cars
To participate in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, the rule is simple: be in possession of a vehicle that took part in the legendary race between 1911 and 1982.
Four categories will be represented at the start:
- Category I: cars built between 1911 and the end of 1965
- Category II: cars built between 1966 and the end of 1971
- Category III: cars built between 1972 and the end of 1976
- Category IV: cars built between 1977 and the end of 1982
This will be the second edition to accept such recent cars. Before the 2022 edition, the most recent cars dated from 1979. The choice is made among 97 brands of old cars, some original, others more common.
5 start cities, 16 stages around Monaco
This 2023 edition marks the return of the “grand” course. Five departure cities will be on the program:
- Oslo, departure on January 24 at 9:15 a.m.
- London, departure on January 25 at 7 p.m.
- Bad-Homburg, departure on January 26 at 2 p.m.
- Reims, departure on January 26 at 7 p.m.
- Turin, departure on January 26 at 7 p.m.
Competitors will get to the heart of the matter from Saturday 28 January, with the first of 16 stages in the hinterland of Monaco.
- SR1 (January 28): Briançonnet – Urbaye via the Col du Buis and the Col de Laval (18.27 km) from 9:15 a.m.
- SR2 (January 28): Chaudon-Norante – Digne les Bains with the Col du Corobin (15.87 km) from 10:30 a.m.
- SR3 (January 28): Recoubeau-Jansac – Pennes-le-Sec (16.13 km) from 1.35 p.m.
- SR4 (January 29): “le Moulinon” St-Sauveur-de-Montagut – St-Andéols-de-Vals, via the Sarasset pass (40.71 km) from 9 a.m.
- SR5 (January 29): Burzet – St-Martial via the Cascade du Ray-Pic and Lachamp-Raphaël (30.66 km) from 11:20 a.m.
- SR6 (January 29): St-Bonnet-le-Froid loop (27.08 km) from 1.30 p.m.
- SR7 (January 29): Lamastre – Colombier-le-Jeune (14.17 km) from 3:05 p.m.
- SR8 (January 30): Valdrôme – La Piarre via Bâtie-des-Fonds and Col de Carabes (13.78 km) from 10:10 a.m.
- SR9 (January 30): “Savoyons” Furmeyer – Barcillonnette via the Espréaux pass (14.85 km) from 10:55 a.m.
- SR10 (January 30): Eygalayes – Verclause via the Cols Saint-Jean, Pierre-Vesce and Reychasset (36.93 km) from 12:35 p.m.
- SR11 (January 30): Crupies – Saillans via the Gourdon and Chaudière passes (23.75 km) from 2:25 p.m.
- SR12 (January 31): St-Nazaire-le-Désert – La Motte-Chalançon via the Planlara and Chamauche passes (19.97 km) from 8:25 a.m.
- SR13 (January 31): Montauban-sur-l’Ouvèze – Laborel via the Col de Perty (18.92 km) from 10 a.m.
- SR14 (January 31): Thorame-Haute – Le Fugeret via the Colle Saint-Michel road (18.45 km) from 12:50 p.m.
- SR15 (January 31-February 1): Col de Braus – Lantosque (34.25 km) from 10:10 p.m.
- SR16 (January 31-February 1): La-Bollène-Vésubie – Moulinet (22.33 km) from 11:20 p.m.
As tradition dictates, the gala evening and awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 1uh February evening, in the Salle des Etoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo (evening dress or dark clothing required).
Multiple designated favorites
Many will want to succeed Philippe and Antoine Cornet de Ways Ruart, winners in 2022 in a Porsche 911 (1965).
Starting with Canella and Berzero who finished third in an R12 Gordini. Aiolfi and Mereda, fourth in their Lancia Beta Coupé will also be followed.
On average low, Giorgio Schon and Francesco Gianmarino will be at the wheel of their Mini. Claudio Enz and Christina Seeberger, third in 2022, split with their Fulvia and with ambition.
Just like the former winners, the Dane Henrik Bjerregaard and the Czech Jaromir Svec, winners in 2020 on a Ford Escort RS2000 MkII. Without forgetting José Lareppe, 2012 winner, who will be at the start with Patrick Lienne on a Kadett GTE (n°7).
A few “names” will also be on the starting line for this 2023 Historic Monte-Carlo Rally. Car n°3, a Peugeot 104 ZS, will be driven by Carlo Tavares, co-driven by Pauline Schoofs.
Eric Mallen and Franck Metiffiot on Golf GTI or Michel and Luc Chabran on their BMW 323i will also be there.