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Just four days after the finish of the 93rd Rallye Monte-Carlo in its modern version (WRC), and thus the 10th victory (an all-time record) for Sébastien Ogier, in a Toyota Yaris, the 27th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique offers a fascinating journey into the past, starting on Thursday: 220 crews in cars from 34 different makes, even if some of them are now part of the same group. As usual, the route will include a majority of regularity stages (SR) where legend has been written for almost a century. And with a Concentration Leg to start with, just like in the old days.
On Thursday, four host-cities will welcome the 220 crews from all over Europe, including the Baltic States, from Ukraine, Switzerland and the United States (25 nationalities represented in all) for a symbolic, old-fashioned start. There will be 16 cars on the starting ramp in Bad Homborg (Germany) from 2pm, then 65 in Reims and 86 in Monaco from 6pm, and finally 53 in Turin from 7pm, including the President of Automobile Club d’Italie, Giovanni Sticchi Damiani, with number 1 on the doors of his venerable 1975 Lancia 124 Abarth.
Their common destination? Place du Champ de Mars in Valence, prefecture of the Drôme department and traditional headquarters of the rally, which the first competitors will reach on the afternoon of Friday 31 January. On the entry list for this 2025 edition, there are five crews with former winners, starting with Belgium’s title holders Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo, who have swapped their Opel Ascona 400 from last year for a 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI. They will be setting off from Reims with the number 200, rather than the number 1 to which they were entitled. There is a good reason for this: they’ve taken the incredible gamble of setting off at the end of the pack, with lower speed averages to respect in the regularity stages. Which is known to be almost impossible to achieve, if you want to be the overall rally winner…
Several former winners…
The other former winners entered this year are Henrik Bjerregaard and Jaromir Svec (2022), in a 1979 Ford Escort RS2000, Claudio Enz and Cristina Seeberger (2023) in a 1970 Lancia Fulvia Coupé, and three-time winner Patrick Lambert (2010, 2012, 2014), partnered by José Lareppe in a 1975 Opel Ascona. As for Sébastien Chol, Ludovic de Luca’s co-driver in a small 1976 Peugeot 104 ZS, he won the 2013 edition in Gérard Brianti’s right-hand bucket.
In terms of big names and long lists of victories, this 27th edition of RMCH is really packed to the rafters. Judge for yourself: Luis Climent Asensio (BMW 323i, 1981), Spanish Rally Champion in 1996; Raymond Durand (Opel Kadett GTE, 1977), two-time winner of Rallye Monte-Carlo des Energies Nouvelles (2009, 2011); Maurizio Verini (Alfa-Roméo Giulietta, 1982), European Rally Champion in 1975. As for American John Buffum, another living legend (Ford Escort RS2000, 1980), another living legend, he collected 11 crowns of USA Rally Champion. Another authentic champion is Sébastien Chardonnet (Ford Escort 2000, 1981), the son of former Lancia importer in France who entered Bernard Darniche’s blue Stratos that won Rallye Monte Carlo in 1979. Sébastien won the world title in the WR3 category in 2013. And while we’re on the subject of Lancia, how could we fail to mention that Bruno Saby is back, as he was last year, at the wheel of a 1970 Ford Capri 2300 S. Bruno won Rallye Monte Carlo Rally in 1988, in a Lancia Delta HF that everyone remembers, flying the colours of Martini Racing.
VIPs and legendary cars…
Several VIPs will also be at the start on Thursday, as well as 7 female crews. Former Michelin-starred chef Michel Chabran, who has passed the baton to his son Louis, now has time to take part in Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, so he’ll be making the most of it, at the wheel of a 1979 BMW 323i, partnered by Jules Chabran. Olivier and Lydia Campana (VW Golf GTI, 1979) have been awarded the ACM Cup several times, reserved for the best-placed Monegasque crew. And Jean-Marc Finot, the director of Stellantis Motosport, is taking over from his former CEO, Carlos Tavares, to defend the colours of his group at the wheel of a 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV Coupé, in partnership with Xavier Pontheaux.
As this is a Historic Monte-Carlo Rally, the list of 34 makes represented is impressive is enough to encourage spectators of all ages to flock to the roadsides, anywhere on the route. As well as a myriad of Lancia cars, in keeping with the winning Stratos on the official poster (the one driven by Sandro Munari in 1977), there will be a myriad of cars belonging to the sporting history of Porsche, Alfa-Romeo, Opel, Renault, Alpine, Volkswagen, Fiat, BMW and Mini, to name a few. A must-see for all enthusiasts!
As every year, Valence, the capital of the Drôme region, will be the rally HQ until the start for Monaco on Tuesday. And many of the towns and villages, in the numerous départements it passes through, will be organising particularly festive buffets or tea parties. Including the concentration route, the rally will pass through almost 500 towns and villages. Let the festivities begin!
Ask for the programme!
Saturday 1st February, Classification Leg, Part 1:
Sunday 2 February, Classification Leg, Part 2:
Monday 3 February, Common Leg, Part 1:
Tuesday 4 February, Common Leg, Part 2:
Return to Monaco – Start of the Final Leg at 9 pm:
Wednesday 5 February:
