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Renault Sport continues its historic partnership of over 30 years with the Automobile Club de Monaco , organiser of all the motorsport competitions in the Principality.
The new Mégane R.S. – the brand’s latest sport model that combines agility, performance and versatility – will be on show at international sports events such as the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
See the four cars transform into lead and safety vehicles on the route of the 86th Monte Carlo Automobile Rally from 22 January.
2018 – Keys delivery of Renault Megane R.S. to Automobile Club de Monaco (Photo M. Alesi)
Monaco , 17 January 2018 – It was at the headquarters of the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) where Patrice Ratti, Managing Director of Renault Sport Cars, gave Michel Boeri, President of the ACM, the keys to four new Mégane R.S. cars, which will be used at several sports events organised by the ACM in the Principality of Monaco .
Since Renault first became involved in the Monte Carlo Rally, the paths of Renault and the ACM have crossed time and again. For ten years, the ACM welcomed the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in advance of the F1 Grand Prix, as well as the Eurocup Formula Renault championship since 2016, where the young hopefuls earn their stripes with the aim of securing a spot at the highest level of motorsport.
Monaco has often been Renault Sport’s location of choice for the grand reveal of new models, such as the Clio R.S. 16 concept car and the new Mégane R.S. in 2017. Many limited-series Renault Sport models have paid homage to Monaco ‘s involvement in motorsport: the Monaco GP label is proudly displayed on the Laguna GT, Clio R.S. and Mégane R.S.
“Since the birth of motoring, Renault Sport and the Automobile Club de Monaco have shared a common passion for competition and performance. We are proud that the fruit of all of our passion – our new Mégane R.S. – will be at the service of the ACM and involved in some of the most prestigious events in the world of motoring.” – Patrice Ratti, Managing Director of Renault Sport Cars.
“The partnership between Renault and the Automobile Club de Monaco – which is historic with a capital “H” – is based on common values and a passion that has prevailed for more than 30 years. Receiving today the keys to four new Renault Mégane R.S. cars – which serve to strengthen our fleet of rally and Grand Prix safety vehicles – really attests to the strong foundations of our alliance.” – Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club de Monaco .
The third-generation Mégane R.S. brings together all of the know-how and passion of Renault Sport, with the ambition of following in the footsteps of its predecessors and becoming a benchmark in the sports vehicle market. It includes numerous developments and technologies derived from the expertise of Renault Sport Racing during competitive motorsport. Features:
– performance-focused design;
– first in the world in this segment to be equipped with the 4CONTROL system, bringing stability and agility to the Sport and Cup chassis;
– latest-generation 1.8-litre turbo engine, delivering 280 hp and 390 Nm, which was developed in collaboration by the engineers of Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing;
– four versions adapted to all uses, with dual offerings for both gearbox (manual or EDC) and chassis (Sport or Cup);
– cutting-edge technologies, including R.S. Vision, MULTI-SENSE and the new version of R.S. Monitor.
– Launch Control to optimise pulling away and Multi Change Down for changing down gears faster in manual mode during periods of intense breaking.
In order to determine the general frame of the inaugural event of World Rally Championship (WRC) 2018, the Organizing Committee of Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) honored its well-deserved reputation, once again, by creating a perfect blend of tradition and innovation: the proportion of new sectors will rise to 50% compared to the 2017 route. This 86th edition promises to leave no competitor indifferent…
After two and a half strenuous days for recce, from Monday January 22 at 8 o’clock to Wednesday 24 at 2 pm, all competitors cleared to race will be able to test in race conditions, from 4 pm, during the official shakedown session (3,35 km). This portion will be strictly identical, on La Garde road, within the limits of Gap city, to the one used in 2016 and 2017. Gap will welcome the rally for the 5th consecutive year and install the Service Park as always, near Monaco
The official start for 86th Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo is scheduled for Thursday January 25, Casino Square in Monaco , from 6:00 pm onwards. During the first nightly leg, a couple of interesting special stages will be organized in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Thoard – Sisteron (SS1 – 37.13km), raced in that direction for the very first time in WRC, will be followed by Bayons – Bréziers (SS2 – 25.49km), already used in 2017. Two great scenes for major WRC contenders to start fighting in 2018.
On Friday January 26, crews will be heading south of Gap for the second day, with 150 km of special stages spread out over three departments (Hautes-Alpes, Drôme and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). This will be, by far, the most tiring day of the rally, with two loops of the same three remote special stages: Vitrolles – Oze (SS3/6 – 26.76km), Roussieux – Eygalayes (SS4/7 – 33.63km) and Vaumeilh – Claret (SS5/8 – 15.24km).
Saturday January 27, north of Gap, will be just as tough as the previous days, with special stages based in the departments of Isère and Hautes-Alpes, and a double loop to start with, consisting of Agnières-en-
Dévoluy – Corps (SS9/11 – 29.33km) followed by Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve (SS10/12 – 16.71km). However, this 3rd day will not be over since the crews will be back, by daylight, in the same Bayons – Bréziers (SS13 – 25.49km) stage as Thursday night, and then they will stop one last time at Gap Service Park before they drive back to Principauté de Monaco in the evening.
The conclusion of the rally, on Sunday January 28, will be made of four special stages (63.72km) with no chance of going through a Service Park in the steep hills of Alpes-Maritimes. So the drivers will go twice through La Bollène-Vésubie – Peïra-Cava (SS14/16 – 18.30km) and La Cabanette – Col de Braus (SS15/17 – 13.56km) which will be used as a Power Stage at the end of the second loop.
At 3 pm, all deserving crews will be welcomed and honoured at the ritual Prize Giving Ceremony in front of
Monaco Prince’s Palace.
Monaco , July 21, 2017
Note: the length of the special stages is only indicative (and could be slightly different in the final version)
Further to a technical problem in SS 13, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) lose more than half an hour, and Sebastien Ogier (Ford) take the lead of the Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Seb, everything changes so quickly on this rally. Thierry Neuville has stopped and you lead. How do you feel?
SO: I feel amazing. I feel really good. One month ago we started a new project with M-Sport, but we had no time to prepare it. We knew it would be tough and it would be a big challenge, but I felt immediately some potential and now, to be in the lead in Monte Carlo with four stages to go, it feels good. But the last day will feel very, very long. We need to finish the job. It would be amazing to start with a victory
It’s been five years since M-Sport won pressure
SO: I don’t think too much about it – at least there is another guy from the team right behind me, so it would be a disaster if one of us isn’t here at the end. We have seen what has happened so far this weekend, there have been so many mistakes and so many tricky conditions and this will carry on tomorrow, with maybe some snow on top of Turini.
This is exciting for you…
SO: Yeah, for sure. We had a lot of run driving the new car this weekend – the challenge is definitely bigger. I repeat, please stay on the safe place [if you are spectating] – we are going even faster than before. Even if it was a new car and many details could be improved, I still had a lot of fun in the car.
Ott Tanak (Ford) take the second place (47’’), while Jari-Matti Latvala the third place (2’20’’).
It is worth mentioning the nice day for Elfyn Evans winner of SS 10,12 and 13.
The Automobile Club de Monaco regrets to advise further details following incident of the car #4 (Paddon/Kennard) in SS 1.
The spectator was transported by helicopter from the stage to hospital in Nice. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, the spectator has sadly died.
An investigation has commenced into the incident and all involved parties will provide assistance to the authorities.
Everyone associated with the event extends their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends and individuals affected.
