Just three days after the finish of the WRC version, won on Sunday by Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai), the 26th edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique got underway this Wednesday in Scotland, for five crews and cars. The entry list features almost 250 crews in some of the most legendary cars of all time. The Lancia Fulvia 1.3S of Swiss pair Claudio Enz and Cristina Seeberger, built in 1970 and victorious last year, is carrying race number 1 and aiming to repeat the feat.

Reserved for cars ‘born’ between 1911 and 1983, this 26th edition kicked off in Glasgow for five beautiful cars: an Alpine-Renault A310 V6, a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0, a Ford Cortina GT and a Volvo 123, both coming directly from the 60s, not to forget a 1978 MGB proudly representing the United Kingdom. All other crews will start their Concentration Route on Thursday, either from Bad Homburg (Germany), Milano (Italy) or Reims, all competitors heading for the same destination: the Principality of Monaco, to reach on Friday afternoon.

As of last year, one driver will be closely followed from start to finish: Bruno Saby, winner of the 1988 World Championship version of this prestigious rally in a Martini Racing Lancia Delta HF, a livery that motorsport fans still remember today. He will be carrying race number 38 in a 1970 Ford Capri 2.3S which he already drove last year, and with a legendary co-driver in the right-hand seat, Denis Giraudet. They’ll have plenty of rally stories to tell each other, on the road… and at the restaurant!

A myriad of prestigious brands!

As this is a Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, the list of marques entered is sure to encourage spectators to flock to the roadsides for a week. In addition to a myriad of Lancias of all ages, Stratos included, there will be flocks of Porsches, Alfa-Romeos, Opels, Renaults, a host of Alpine-Renault berlinettes, more recent Volkswagen GTis, Fiat with a venerable 1979 X1/9, and, for the more discerning spectators, a BMW 2002 Ti, a host of Mini Cooper S and, above all, a 1982 Audi Quattro. A must-see for all enthusiasts!

The Concentration Leg will be very long, but a good preparation for a very enjoyable event, with 17 Regularity Stages (RS) on the menu and plenty of convivial breaks. This year, the town of Privas, in Ardèche, has planned a sumptuous welcome for the competitors, and Valence, capital of the Drôme, will again play the host-city for a week. Many towns and villages, in the numerous departments crossed, have set up a buffet or prepared snacks with local produce, depending on the time of day. Not forgetting, of course, the famous Remise, still managed by the Jouanny family, right in the heart of the Ardèche, which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary with its traditional apple pie.

One thing is certain: this 26th edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique will be as memorable as the 25 that preceded it…

Main Schedule:

Friday, February 2^nd, arrival Concentration Leg in Monaco between 3:35 pm and 7:40 pm (Port Hercule)

Saturday, February 3^rd, Classification Leg (Monaco – Valence) between 7:00 am and 11:03 am (Port Hercule):

• Soleilhas – Castellane / RS1 / 9:55 am
• Chaudon-Norante – Digne-les-Bains / RS2 / 11:15 am
• Ventavon – Chabestan / RS3 / 1:35 pm
• La Cîme du Mas – Col Gaudissart / RS4 / 4:20 pm

Sunday, February 4^th, 1^st part of the Common Leg:

• Lyas – Pourchères / RS5 / 09:25 am
• Freyssenet – Saint-Martial / RS6 / 11:30 am
• Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid / RS7 / 1:45 pm
• Lalouvesc – Labatie-d’Andaure / RS8 / 2:55 pm

Monday, February 5^th, 2^nd part of the Common Leg:

• Valdrôme – La Piarre / RS9 / 10:10 am
• Laborel – Montauban-sur-l’Ouvèze / RS10 / 11:40 am
• Sainte-Jalle – Rémuzat / RS11 / 1:30 pm
• Recoubeau-Jansac – Pennes-le-Sec / RS12 / 3:05 pm

Tuesday, February 6^th, 3^rd and final part of the Common Leg:

• Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert – La-Motte-Chalancon / RS13 / 08:45 am
• Roussieux – Laborel / RS14 / 10:00 am
• Collongues – Col de Saint-Raphaël / RS15 / 1:55 pm

Return to Monaco BETWEEN 3:35 pm and 7:40 pm (port Hercule)

Start of the Final Stage at 9 pm:

• Sospel – Col de Turini / RS16 / 10:15 pm
• La Cabanette – Col de Braus / RS17 / 11:15 pm

Arrival at Monaco’s Port Hercule approximatly at 00:30 am