92^nd MONTE-CARLO RALLY (JANUARY 22-28, 2024*)

Back to the heights!

With 14 passes on the way, in 17 special stages spread over 5 French departments, the route for this inaugural event of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) has moved up in latitude as well as altitude, following a strong wish of the Organizing Committee at Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM), hoping for more snow on the roads than in previous editions.

After two and a half strenuous days of recce, from Monday January 22 to Wednesday January 24, all crews allowed to start will operate in real racing conditions from 4:31 pm that Wednesday, during the Shakedown (3.28km). On the same road portion that was introduced in 2017, Route de la Garde in Gap, a partner city which already played host to the rally from 2014 to 2021.

The official start of this 92^nd edition of Monte-Carlo Rally will be given the next day, Thursday January 25 at 4:52pm on the Casino Square in Monaco. On the menu of the 1^st Leg, two timed stages in total darkness for a total of 46.20km, in the departments of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes. These two legendary stages, « Thoard / Saint-Geniez » (SS1 – 21.01km – 8:35 pm) and « Bayons / Bréziers » (SS2 – 25.19km – 9:58 pm) will serve as reality checks for the expected major players in the championship.

On Friday January 26, crews will be heading for the East of Gap, where the 2^nd Leg will be spread over two departments (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes) for a total of 105.72 timed kilometers. With a loop of three special stages to cover twice, made of « Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes / La Bâtie-Neuve » (SS3/6 – 16.68km – 8:51 am/2:56 pm), followed by « Champcella / Saint-Clément-sur-Durance » (SS4/7 – 17.87km – 10:24 am/4:29 pm) and « La Bréole / Selonnet » (SS5/8 – 18.31km – 11:57 am/6:02 pm), setting up a very intense race day!

The West of Gap will be on the cards for Saturday January 27 when the 3^rd Leg covers three departments (Hautes-Alpes, Drôme and Isère) for a total of 120.40 timed kilometers. Again, with a loop of three stages not so close to each other, to complete twice, for what will probably be the toughest race day of the week. On the menu, « Esparron / Oze » (SS9/12 – 18.79km – 8:05 am/2:05 pm), followed by « Les Nonières / Chichilianne » (SS10/13 – 20.04km – 9:53 am/3:53 pm) and « Pellafol / Agnières-en-Dévoluy » (SS11/14 – 21.37km – 11:06 am/5:06 pm). There will certainly be several ups and downs during this strenuous 3^rd Leg.

In order to conclude the event in style, on Sunday January 28, three stages totalling 52.12 kilometers will be scheduled between Gap and Monaco. This will be a brand-new feature for a Final Leg and the last fights for honours will happen on « La Bréole / Selonnet » (SS15 – 18.31km – 7:04 am), followed by « Digne-les-Bains / Chaudon-Norante » (SS16 – 19.01km – 8:35 am) and, last but not least, « La Bollène-Vésubie / Col de Turini » (SS17 – 14.80km – 12:15 pm) which will serve as Power Stage.The Prize-Giving Ceremony will then take place, as usual, on the Casino Square, from 4:15 pm…

Monaco, November 22, 2023