Rallye Monte Carlo Historique – The Best Yet
Since it began in 1998, there has been an ever-increasing number of crews who want to participate in this most popular of all the winter events. 324 crews took the start from Copenhagen, Reims, Monaco, Barcelona or Torino, and met up in Valence where the common part of the rally began on Sunday 3 February. With 24 nationalities, driving 40 different makes of car, Automobile Club de Monaco Historic Commission President Michel Ferry, expressed pride in the selection of cars and only regretted that over 100 had had to be turned down. There was pride also in the fact that ex-Monte-winners from three decades were participating: Vic Elford and David Stone driving their orange Porsche 911 won the event 40 years ago; Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Porsche 911 "Gitanes", was winner 30 years ago in 1978; and winners 20 years ago Bruno Saby et Jean-François Fauchille were at the wheel of a Fiat 500. Bernard Occelli, navigator for one-time winner Didier Auriol was also competing. Carlos Sainz, who won the event in 1998, 10 years ago, was one of the guests of honour at the prizegiving gala.
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The cars gather in Briançon Photo Jason Wright
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The modern Monte, which ran only one week before, took place on dry roads, whereas the historic event saw snow, ice, rain, fog and all the winter weather one could have hoped for.
Although some 30 teams elected for the start in Copenhagen, more than in previous years, it was three German crews that finally occupied the podium on Wednesday 6 February, after 1800 kilometres and a hard fight. 267 teams finished within the official classification.
Ernst Juntgen and Marcus Muller, driving a Mercedes-Benz 300SE starting in Monaco, were first overall and in the pre-1961 category. Second place went to Gert Pfundt and Gunter Meierer, who started in Turin on a Mercedes-Benz 220SEB. Rolf and Oliver Kienen finished third with their BMW 1800, having started in Monaco. "Tchine" and Olivier Sussot were the first Monégasque team home in seventh place.
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Bruno Saby, multiple French Champion, Tour de Corse, Dakar etc. and 1988 Monte winner in a seriously prepared works Fiat 500 Photo Hugues Mallet
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Not only is this tough regularity rally popular with competitors, but also large numbers of the public came out to line the roads, even in the inclement weather. In Valence, where all the rally cars from the various starting points finally met up, they were pressed against the barriers, enthusing over the classic cars. After a fresh snowfall, the last night’s loop over the Col de Turini, a tradition on the Monte, was particularly atmospheric and reminiscent of the Monte’s of long ago, with spectators gathered round their fires and the silent whiteness penetrated only by the sound of the revving engines and the piercing headlight beams of the passing rally cars.
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