© Scuderia del Grifone

An historic driver, Maurizio Verini, won RS11 on Monday afternoon, between Crupie and Saillans (23.75 km). An Italian and European rally champion in the mid-1970s, Verini drove a Fiat 124 and even wrote a book about that car. He took the start of this 25th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique in another coupé produced by the Italian brand, a pretty X1/9 dating back to 1976. And in this RS11 the Italian crew completed an almost perfect copy, thanks to his co-driver Enrico Merenda: just 20 penalty points, ten less than Raymond Durand and Sébastien Chol, in 2^nd place aboard their Opel Kadett GTE from 1977. As for 3rd place, it was shared by a 1979 VW Golf GTi and a superb 1982 Audi Quattro, entered by Norwegians.

After the victorious 1960 Porsche 356 B in the SR9, this morning, a more recent Porsche, the 911 Turbo of Pascal Perroud and Guillaume Allais, produced in 1969, took the laurels in the RS10, between Eygalayes and Verclause. It was the longest special of the day (36.93km) and this precise Porsche had worked up an appetite by taking 2^nd place in RS8, earlier today. In this RS10, Perroud and Allais beat the Italian Mini of Giorgio Schon and Francesco Giammarino who had won RS8 earlier today. The podium of this long and tough stage was completed by a 1975 Lancia Beta Monte-Carlo driven by a Polish crew, tied with a 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super, entered by two Italians with fancy names, Francesco Liberatore and Paolo Calabrese.

Barely arrived in the parc fermé in Valence, Jean-Claude Andruet spoke of his reunion, half a century after his legendary victory in a blue Alpine Renault. And indeed, given his smile, the idyll has never died out! Still on the attack, the former French judo champion (one more string to his bow) and seller of golf carts, among other activities, is ready for Tuesday’s final Leg and closing fireworks, in Col de Turini. With an Alpine that was fixed somewhat miraculously, Sunday evening, at the CH of RS7, thanks to a mechanic who lived nearby…

An unprecedented trio dominated the RS9 between Furmeyer and Barcillonnette (14.85km), another very snowy and slippery stage on Monday morning, where a safety average was imposed by the race direction, as in the previous one. In the game of calculated caution, especially on the most slippery portions, a 1960 Porsche 356 B was the best, entered by a Finnish crew, Vile and Jukka Silvasti, who is used to this type of surface. It proved better than the 1977 Opel Kadett GTE of Raymond Durand and Sebastien Schol. The podium for this RS9 was completed by a 1977 Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2 entered by another team from northern Europe, Lars Lie and Henning Jorstad. One more proof that Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique is also a monument of variety and eclecticism, for talented drivers coming from all over Europe.

The Austin Mini Cooper S number 239, that of Italians Giorgio Schon and Francesco Giammarino, had already won on Saturday in Col du Corobin (SR2). Having left Torino last week for the Concentration Leg, it was again the best on Monday morning, in RS8 between Valdrôme and La Piarre (13.78km), another short stage on the menu of this 25th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The conditions were very slippery and the application of a safety average had been announced to the competitors. It was fully respected by the Italian duo, a little more efficient in this exercise than both 100% French crews who took the honors: a 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo driven by Pascal Perroud, navigated by Guillaume Allais, and a Fiat 128 Coupé entered by Yannick Villar and Vincent Bourdil.

Laragne-Montéglin, a village in the Hautes-Alpes, is once again organizing a CP and a CH during Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. Thanks to the dynamic “Auto sport du Laragnais” association, the competitors always appreciate this moment of conviviality at midday. This passionate mayor will also experience the stop in Laragne in 2024: he has already promised to take the wheel of his Matra Murena again, for a 5th participation in Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique!

© Scuderia del Grifone

They had not yet managed to win a special in this 25th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, it’s done and it’s well-deserved. The Italian couple in the 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 TI, Giovanni and Tiziana Chiesa, took first place, all alone, in the SR7 between Lamastre and Colombier-le-Jeune (13.558km), on the last stage of this first day of the Common Leg. They beat another Italian crew, Maurizio Aiolfi and Carlo Merenda, in a 1975 Lancia Beta Coupé 1800, who tied for 2^nd place with Spanish duo Esteban Munne-Olga Feliu, in a 2000 Seat 124 Especial from 1977. It was a long day, with different stage winners but a hierarchy that is beginning to take shape in the overall standings. Every crew returned to Valence very tired, but with lots of memories in mind. Monday, the 2^nd day of the Common Leg, with four other stages on the menu, should make it possible to settle the situation a little.

The arrival of Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique in Tournon sur Rhône allowed the municipality (represented by Mrs. Annie Fournier, Deputy Mayor) to initiate its “Pilot your Job” scheme: the plan is to allow local business leaders to meet job seekers at a cultural or sporting event. This first event was a success since a dozen local entrepreneurs were able to discuss with nearly a hundred potential candidates for jobs. This will happen again, of course, and another occasion could be the next E-Rally Monte-Carlo.

Three very different cars, a 1982 Volkswagen Scirocco, a 1961 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 and a 1965 Morris Mini Cooper S, finished SR6 tied at the top of the results sheet. It was a loop around Saint-Bonnet-le Froid (26.416km) contested in icy conditions, as it is often the case at this time of year in Haute-Loire. The road was very slippery and the safety average was applied, as in SR5. Behind the leading three, the 4^th place went to the very consistent Alfa Giulia TI 1600, a 1965 car driven by Italy’s Giovanni Chiesa, with Tiziana Chiesa in the right seat. It was the third and penultimate stage of the day and it was almost fatal to Jean-Claude Andruet, due to a faulty battery on his Alpine-Renault. However, the winner of the 1973 edition managed to repair and to check at the control point for SR7. Phew!

Opening the day on Sunday, the Prefect of Ardèche, Mr. Thierry Devimeux, honored the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique with his presence. With his wife and son aboard, the Prefect opened the road, one hour before the start of the competitors, aboard a magnificent Citroën Traction Avant. A fine proof of his involvement in the life of his department.